Nectaris

I’m looking for some information on a claim that someone else made concerning Numbers 5:12 – 31. Specifically this individual claimed that one of the ingredients the priests were to use in the bitter water that was given to the pregnant woman accused of adultery was an abortifacient. I’ve read through a few different translations of this, but I don’t know how one would pick up on this from the biblical text.

Is there any basis for the claim that the priests were actually given the woman accused an abortifacient as opposed to just sweepings from the floor mixed with water? Which I suppose is still not very healthy and pleasant to drink.

Dave

Invisible Insanity

I read the passage and I don't see any reference to any abortifacient, just crap from the floor and a "curse" from God. This has to be one of the funniest passages I have ever read. If this isn't a demonstration of ignorance bordering on the retarded, then I don't know what is.

Al

Toto

This has been discussed here before, and if the search engine were working, I could find the discussion.

I think it rests on "Bitter water that brings a curse" in verse 18, "thigh to waste away and your abdomen to swell" imply an abortion - 'thigh" is presumed to be a euphemism for uterus.

The "bitter water" may have been ergot, which has a long history of use as an abortifacient.

Nectaris

I don't doubt that it has been discussed before, because it seems to imply that abortion is okay in cases in which the child is the product of an adulterous affair-something most of the fundies would rail against today.

Thanks for the info and link, that's exactly what I wanted.

Dave

chapka

Well, they have to get around the Old Testament on abortion somehow anyway, since Exodus 21:22 says that abortion isn't as serious as murder.

Knife

I found this on the comment on Exodus 21:22.

http://www.desiringgod.org/library/t.../exodus21.html