Bitterness

In the “jealousy rite” of Numbers 5, a woman suspected of adultery has to drink a concoction of holy water and holy dust and a written curse. If she is an adulteress, the water will go into her and cause bitterness, swelling in the thigh, and a wasting in her belly (v. 27). Implicitly, she will be left barren (cf. v. 28).

In Colossians 3:7, Paul tells husbands to love their wives, and not to become embittered ( pikraino ) against them. The marital context evokes the jealousy test, and perhaps this is a warning to husbands not to allow suspicions of their wives grow. As Paul actually phrases the warning, though, the jealousy test is running in reverse: Not the woman but the man is in danger of becoming bitter.

Perhaps, indeed, marriage itself is a kind of jealousy test for husbands: As members of the bride of Christ, husband find their love for their Lord tested by their love for their wives. If they become embittered against their wives, they are exposed as adulterers toward their Divine Husband.