Jealousy-offering

Jealousy-Offering (מַנחִת קנָאוֹת, Septuag. θυσία ζηλοτυπίας, Vulgate oblatio zelotypice) was the name of a "meat-offering" which a husband was to bring when he subjected his wife, under charge of adultery, before the priest, to the ordeal of the bitter waters (Nu 5:11 sq.). It consisted of a tenth of an ephah of barley-meal, without oil or frankincense. The priest must wave it (ver. 25), and burn a handful on the altar (ver. 26). The Mishna gives more minute directions (Sotahi, 2, 1; 3:1, 6). SEE ADULTERY. Barley, as an inferior grain to wheat (Pheedrus, 2, 8, 9), was symbolical of the suspected condition of the wife (Philo, Opp. 2, 307). Oil and incense, as emblems of joy and piety, were obviously unsuitable to the occasion. SEE OFFERING.