Discovery BoxNumbers 5:31 
Context5:31 Then the man will be free from iniquity, but that woman will bear the consequences 1 of her iniquity.’” 2
Numbers 11:14
Context11:14 I am not able to bear this entire people alone, 3 because it 4 is too heavy for me!
Numbers 18:22
Context18:22 No longer may the Israelites approach the tent of meeting, or else they will bear their sin 5 and die.
Numbers 30:15
Context30:15 But if he should nullify them after he has heard them, then he will bear her iniquity.” 6
1 sn The text does not say what the consequences are. Presumably the punishment would come from God, and not from those administering the test.
2 tn The word “iniquity” can also mean the guilt for the iniquity as well as the punishment of consequences for the iniquity. These categories of meanings grew up through figurative usage (metonymies). Here the idea is that if she is guilty then she must “bear the consequences.”
3 tn The word order shows the emphasis: “I am not able, I by myself, to bear all this people.” The infinitive לָשֵׂאת (lase’t) serves as the direct object of the verb. The expression is figurative, for bearing or carrying the people means being responsible for all their needs and cares.
4 tn The subject of the verb “heavy” is unstated; in the context it probably refers to the people, or the burden of caring for the people. This responsibility was turning out to be a heavier responsibility than Moses anticipated. Alone he was totally inadequate.
5 tn The Hebrew text uses the infinitive construct of the verb “to bear” with the lamed (ל) preposition to express the result of such an action. “To bear their sin” would mean that they would have to suffer the consequences of their sin.
6 sn In other words, he will pay the penalty for making her break her vows if he makes her stop what she vowed. It will not be her responsibility.
