17 and the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
The dust that is in the floor of the tabernacle - To set forth the fact that the water was endued with extraordinary power by Him who dwelt in the tabernacle. Dust is an emblem of a state of condemnation Genesis 3:14; Micah 7:17.
Holy water - Water out of the laver, called holy because consecrated to sacred uses. This is the most ancient case of the trial by ordeal. See at Numbers 5:31 (note).
In an earthen vessel - Supposed by the Jews to be such as had never been previously used.
Dust that is in the floor - Probably intended to point out the baseness of the crime of which she was accused.
And the priest shall take (h) holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is in the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put [it] into the water:
(h) Which also is called the water of purification of sprinkling, read (Numbers 19:9).
And the priest shall take holy water,.... Out of the laver, as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan, and so Jarchi and Aben Ezra:
in an earthen vessel; which held half a log, and that was but a quarter of a pint, or three egg shells; for no more was assigned, to a suspected woman, according to the Misnah (r). Some say only a fourth part: an earthen vessel was made use of, as everything vile and mean was in this affair:
and of the dust that is in the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water; first the water was put in, and then the dust, as Ben Gersom observes: there was a place a cubit square, where was a marble table, and a ring fixed in it, and when he lifted it up he took dust from under it, and put it so as it might be upon the top of the water (s); which was used, either, as the Targum of Jonathan suggests, because the end of all flesh is to come to dust, and so to put her in mind of her original and her end; and in like manner the earthen vessel might signify, that she would be broke to pieces as that vessel; as also it might direct her thoughts to the tempter, by the influence of whose temptation she had been drawn into this sin, dust being the serpent's food; and this being taken off the floor of the tabernacle, might add to the veneration of it, and make it more solemn and awful to drink of it.
(r) Sotah, c. 2. sect. 2. Menachot, c. 9. sect. 3. (s) Sotah, c. 2. sect. 2.
the priest shall take holy water--Water from the laver, which was to be mixed with dust--an emblem of vileness and misery (Genesis 3:14; Psalm 22:15).
in an earthen vessel--This fragile ware was chosen because, after being used, it was broken in pieces (Leviticus 6:28; Leviticus 11:33). All the circumstances of this awful ceremony--her being placed with her face toward the ark--her uncovered head, a sign of her being deprived of the protection of her husband (1-Corinthians 11:7) --the bitter potion being put into her hands preparatory to an appeal to God--the solemn adjuration of the priest (Numbers 5:19-22), all were calculated in no common degree to excite and appall the imagination of a person conscious of guilt.
Holy water - Water of purification appointed for such uses. This was used, that if she were guilty, she might be afraid to add profaneness to her other crime. An earthen vessel - Because, after this use, it was to be broken in pieces, that the remembrance of it might be blotted out as far as was possible. Dust - An emblem of vileness and misery. From the floor of the tabernacle - Which made it holy dust, and struck the greater terror into the woman, if she were guilty.
*More commentary available at chapter level.