Bible Dictionary
SWELL
“Swell” may describe the swelling of the abdomen in the ordeal of the water of jealousy. It also describes the feet of Israelites that did not swell during their wilderness journeys, a sign of God’s protection.
Definition
To swell is to become enlarged or inflamed. In the ordeal of the water of jealousy, swelling of the abdomen was part of the judgment expected upon an unfaithful wife. The word can also describe blistering or swelling of feet after long travel.
Biblical Usage
The swelling in Numbers belonged to a ceremonial appeal to God’s judgment, not to an effect produced by the water or temple dust themselves. In Deuteronomy and Nehemiah, Israel’s feet did not swell during wilderness journeys, signifying divine protection.
Historical Background
Later rabbinical discussions supplied additional opinions about the ordeal, but the biblical account gives no details about the nature or permanence of the swelling.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>swel (tsabhah): In the ordeal of the Water of Jealousy described in Nu 5:11-31 (P), the effect on the unfaithful wife ot the drinking of the holy water was to cause the thigh to fall away (Revised Version) or rot (the King James Version) and the abdomen to "swell." This ceremonial was a direct appeal to the judgment of God, for there was nothing in the holy water (taken from the laver) or the dust of the temple which was mixed with it to produce this effect. In the Talmudic tract Cotah there are given many rabbinical opinions and particulars as to the procedure in later times. Apparently from the passage in Numbers, the judgment speedily followed the appeal, but according to Sotah, iii.4, it might be postponed even for four years, and in v.1, it is said to have produced the same effect on the adulterer as on the unfaithful wife. We have no details as to the nature or permanency of the swelling.</p><p>"Swell" as the translation of another word, batseq, is used in the sense of blistering of the feet from long tramping. Both in De 8:4 and Ne 9:21 it is said that in spite of their long wilderness marches the feet of the Israelites did not swell. This was a token of divine protection.</p><p>See SWOLLEN.</p><p>Alexander Macalister</p>