Numbers 9:10 kjv
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto the LORD.
Numbers 9:10 nkjv
"Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'If anyone of you or your posterity is unclean because of a corpse, or is far away on a journey, he may still keep the LORD's Passover.
Numbers 9:10 niv
"Tell the Israelites: 'When any of you or your descendants are unclean because of a dead body or are away on a journey, they are still to celebrate the LORD's Passover,
Numbers 9:10 esv
"Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If any one of you or of your descendants is unclean through touching a dead body, or is on a long journey, he shall still keep the Passover to the LORD.
Numbers 9:10 nlt
"Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: If any of the people now or in future generations are ceremonially unclean at Passover time because of touching a dead body, or if they are on a journey and cannot be present at the ceremony, they may still celebrate the LORD's Passover.
Numbers 9 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 12:3-11 | Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, ‘On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb… | Institution of original Passover. |
| Exod 12:43-49 | And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the ordinance of the Passover… | Laws regarding Passover participation. |
| Lev 5:2-3 | ‘If a person touches any unclean thing, whether the carcass of an unclean beast… | Laws regarding ritual uncleanness. |
| Lev 7:19-21 | If the flesh of the peace offering touches any unclean thing, it shall not be eaten… | Consequences of uncleanness on offerings. |
| Lev 11:31 | Whoever touches them when they are dead shall be unclean until evening. | Uncleanness from dead animals. |
| Lev 21:1 | And the LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them… | Priestly uncleanness regulations (corpses). |
| Num 5:2 | “Command the people of Israel that they put out of the camp every leper, and everyone who has a discharge, and everyone who is unclean through contact with the dead… | Separation due to uncleanness. |
| Num 9:1-5 | The LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year… | Setting the context for Passover observance. |
| Num 9:6-7 | But there were certain men who were unclean through touching a dead body, so that they could not keep the Passover on that day; and they came before Moses and Aaron on that day… | Immediate context; reason for the inquiry. |
| Num 9:8 | And Moses said to them, “Stand still, and I will hear what the LORD will command concerning you.” | God's direct involvement in resolving issue. |
| Num 9:11 | In the second month, on the fourteenth day at twilight, they shall keep it. They shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. | Specifies the time for the second Passover. |
| Num 9:12 | They shall leave none of it until morning, nor break any of its bones… | Strict adherence to ritual even in delay. |
| Num 9:13 | But if anyone who is clean and is not on a journey refrains from keeping the Passover, that person shall be cut off from his people… | Consequences of willful disobedience. |
| Num 31:19-24 | Encamp outside the camp seven days. Whoever has killed any person, and whoever has touched any dead body, purify yourselves and your captives on the third day and on the seventh day. | Purification for touching a dead body. |
| Deut 16:1-8 | Observe the month of Abib and keep the Passover to the LORD your God… | General instructions for Passover observance. |
| 2 Chron 30:1-27 | Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh… | Hezekiah's delayed Passover observance due to similar issues of preparation. |
| Matt 26:26-29 | Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it… | Institution of the Lord's Supper (New Covenant Passover). |
| 1 Cor 5:7 | Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. | Christ as the ultimate Passover Lamb. |
| Heb 9:13-14 | For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer… | Christ's blood cleansing from "dead works." |
| Jas 4:8 | Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts… | Spiritual purity required to draw near God. |
| Eph 2:13 | But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. | Bringing near those "far away" by grace. |
| 2 Pet 3:9 | The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you… | God's patience and second chances. |
Numbers 9 verses
Numbers 9 10 Meaning
Numbers 9:10 establishes a divine provision for those Israelites who, due to ritual uncleanness from touching a dead body or being on a distant journey, were unable to observe the regular Passover (Pesach) on the 14th day of the first month. This provision allows them to observe a second Passover (Pesach Sheni) one month later, on the 14th day of the second month, thereby ensuring their participation in this crucial covenant remembrance despite unforeseen circumstances. It demonstrates God's mercy and willingness to provide an alternative for inclusion in His sacred ordinances when legitimate impediments arise.
Numbers 9 10 Context
Numbers chapter 9 recounts the observance of the Passover by the Israelites in the wilderness of Sinai, specifically in the second year after their departure from Egypt. This precedes their journey to the promised land and emphasizes the foundational importance of covenant remembrance even amidst a transient existence. Verse 10 directly responds to a query (Num 9:6-7) raised by men who were ritually unclean due to touching a dead body, asking how they could fulfill their obligation to the Passover. The immediate historical context is the tabernacle's erection and the people's initial preparations for continued movement. This divine allowance for a delayed Passover highlights God's accessibility and provision within His laws, balancing strict ritual purity with the spiritual intent of the ordinance. It shows God's mercy not only through an alternative timing but also by not condemning those whose impurity was a result of circumstances (like burying the dead) rather than wilful disobedience.
Numbers 9 10 Word analysis
- Speak: dibbēr (דִּבֵּר) - Implies a formal and authoritative communication of a divine decree. This is a command to be promulgated throughout the community, underscoring its importance and divine origin.
- to the people of Israel: Indicates the audience to whom this law applies - the entire covenant community, inclusive of all their descendants. It emphasizes corporate responsibility and inclusion.
- saying: A standard formula introducing divine speech or instruction.
- If any man: ʾîš ʾîš (אִישׁ אִישׁ) - Hebrew idiom meaning "any person whatsoever," stressing universality among the Israelite men. This applies broadly, ensuring no one is excluded without due consideration.
- among you or among your descendants: Highlights the ongoing nature of this provision. It's not just for the current generation in the wilderness but for all future generations of Israelites, indicating enduring principles.
- is unclean: yihyeh ṭāmēʾ (יִהְיֶה טָמֵא) - "He will be unclean." ṭāmēʾ refers to ritual impurity. In ancient Israel, this was not a moral stain but a temporary state requiring purification, prohibiting participation in sacred acts. The uncleanness here is a legitimate, involuntary state.
- through touching a dead body: lānefeš mēt (לְנֶפֶשׁ מֵת) - Literally, "by a dead person/soul." Contact with a corpse was the highest form of ritual impurity, rendering one unclean for seven days (Num 19:11). This impurity often arose from necessary duties, like burying the dead.
- or is on a long journey far away: ōw bədereḵ rāḥōq (אוֹ בְדֶרֶךְ רָחֹק) - "Or on a path far." dereḵ means road/journey; rāḥōq means distant. This refers to physical distance making travel back for the regular Passover impossible or impractical, showcasing a compassionate understanding of geographical limitations. It highlights a common sense application of the law.
- yet he shall keep: wəʿāśāh (וְעָשָׂה) - "And he shall do/make/observe." The imperative here, despite the conditions, means participation is still an obligation and a right. This isn't an option to neglect but a modified instruction for fulfillment.
- the Passover to the Lord: Pesaḥ lā Yahweh (פֶּסַח לַיהוָה) - "Passover for Yahweh." The purpose of the observance is consistently oriented toward God, regardless of the timing, emphasizing its divine nature and purpose as an act of worship.
Numbers 9 10 Bonus section
This verse's inclusion of "unclean through touching a dead body" directly links to the Nazirite vow (Num 6), where contact with a dead body, even an unexpected death, required the Nazirite to start their vow again. The similar language used in Numbers 9:10 for Passover participants shows the high value God places on this fundamental act of remembrance, akin to specific holy vows, by providing a route for participation despite unavoidable impurity. The fact that the query about uncleanness was brought by the men themselves (Num 9:6) demonstrates their earnest desire to fulfill the commandment, prompting a divine response. This wasn't a general provision laid out, but a specific divine answer to a felt need, emphasizing God's responsiveness to His people's sincere intentions. It's a reminder that God delights in faithful obedience and provides means to attain it, even when barriers arise. This "second chance" theme can be seen as a shadow of God's patience and long-suffering in providing opportunities for repentance and return throughout biblical history.
Numbers 9 10 Commentary
Numbers 9:10 reveals profound theological truths about God's character and the nature of His covenant. It showcases divine flexibility and mercy within the framework of immutable laws. The introduction of Pesach Sheni (Second Passover) is not a compromise of the law's integrity but an expansion of its grace, acknowledging human limitations and unavoidable circumstances. It highlights that the intent and spirit of the law often supersede rigid adherence to its timing, provided the core meaning is preserved. This provision for those ritually unclean by necessity (e.g., handling the dead for burial, a communal duty) or geographically distant demonstrates God's desire for inclusivity rather than exclusion. It underscores that sincere worship and covenant remembrance are paramount. The "far away journey" could also metaphorically hint at spiritual wandering, yet God provides a path back. This verse serves as a powerful testament to God's accommodating grace, offering a "second chance" to those genuinely prevented from fulfilling their initial obligations, ensuring their spiritual participation and communal identity are maintained.