Numbers 9 13

Numbers 9:13 kjv

But the man that is clean, and is not in a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, even the same soul shall be cut off from among his people: because he brought not the offering of the LORD in his appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.

Numbers 9:13 nkjv

But the man who is clean and is not on a journey, and ceases to keep the Passover, that same person shall be cut off from among his people, because he did not bring the offering of the LORD at its appointed time; that man shall bear his sin.

Numbers 9:13 niv

But if anyone who is ceremonially clean and not on a journey fails to celebrate the Passover, they must be cut off from their people for not presenting the LORD's offering at the appointed time. They will bear the consequences of their sin.

Numbers 9:13 esv

But if anyone who is clean and is not on a journey fails to keep the Passover, that person shall be cut off from his people because he did not bring the LORD's offering at its appointed time; that man shall bear his sin.

Numbers 9:13 nlt

"But those who neglect to celebrate the Passover at the regular time, even though they are ceremonially clean and not away on a trip, will be cut off from the community of Israel. If they fail to present the LORD's offering at the proper time, they will suffer the consequences of their guilt.

Numbers 9 verses

Numbers 9 13 Meaning

Numbers 9:13 declares the divine consequence for an Israelite who is ritually pure and able, yet intentionally refuses to observe the Passover at its appointed time. Such a person would face the severe penalty of being "cut off from his people," indicating expulsion or exclusion from the community of Israel and loss of covenant privileges. The reason is explicitly stated as the failure to present the LORD's mandated offering, a deliberate act of disobedience, for which the individual must "bear his sin," signifying full accountability for their transgression before God.

Numbers 9 13 Context

Numbers chapter 9 outlines further laws and arrangements related to the Israelites' wilderness journey. The verses preceding Numbers 9:13 specifically address the observance of the Passover in the second year after the Exodus, an event explicitly commanded by the LORD (Num 9:1-5). It introduces the "second Passover" (Pesach Sheni) for those who were ritually unclean or on a distant journey and thus unable to keep the Passover at its prescribed time (Num 9:6-12). Numbers 9:13, therefore, clarifies the boundary: while exceptions are made for legitimate impediments, intentional and willful neglect without such impediment carries a severe consequence. The chapter emphasizes the importance of obeying divine commands regarding communal worship and sacred times, highlighting both divine provision for specific circumstances and the seriousness of rebellion. The historical context is the period of the wilderness wanderings, where God was establishing the nation of Israel as a holy people bound by His covenant and laws. Observance of festivals like Passover was crucial for their identity, remembrance of God's redemptive acts, and participation in the covenant relationship.

Numbers 9 13 Word analysis

• But the man who is clean (וְאִישׁ כִּי יִהְיֶה טָהוֹר, ve'ish ki yihyeh tahor):
  • clean (tahor): Signifies ritual purity, suitable for approaching God or participating in sacred rites. This emphasizes that the person had no legitimate excuse of impurity for not keeping Passover. Their pure state made their neglect inexcusable.
• and is not on a journey (וְבַדֶּרֶךְ לֹא הָיָה, vevaderekh lo hayah):
  • journey (derek): Refers to travel or being far away. Num 9:10-11 makes allowances for those on a "distant journey" (דֶּרֶךְ רְחֹקָה, derek rehoqah), granting them a second Passover. This clause negates that exception, stating the person was present and physically able. Their location made their neglect inexcusable.
• and yet refrains from keeping the Passover (וְחָדַל מֵעֲשׂוֹת הַפֶּסַח, vekhadal me'asot hapesah):
  • refrains (khadal): To cease, desist, or neglect. It implies a deliberate cessation or failure to perform an action, rather than an inability. This is a willful act of omission.
  • Passover (Pesah): A pivotal festival commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage. Its observance was fundamental to their covenant identity and an annual renewal of their gratitude and commitment to the LORD.
• that person shall be cut off from his people (וְנִכְרְתָה הַנֶּפֶשׁ הַהִוא מֵעַמֶּיהָ, venikhretah hanneshesh hahiv me'ammehah):
  • cut off (karat): A severe covenant penalty (Hebrew kareth). This often signifies expulsion from the community, loss of family or inheritance rights, exclusion from divine blessings, or a premature, perhaps divinely inflicted, death. It indicates severe judgment for breaking a fundamental covenant command, separating the individual from the holy community and its benefits. It's more than social ostracization; it carries spiritual condemnation.
  • from his people: Emphasizes separation from the communal life, identity, and protection of Israel as a covenanted people. This impacts not only the individual but potentially their lineage within the community.
• because he did not bring the LORD's offering at its appointed time (כִּי קָרְבַּן יְהוָה לֹא הִקְרִיב בְּמוֹעֲדוֹ, ki qorbạn YHVH lo hiqriv bemo’ado):
  • LORD's offering (qorbạn YHVH): Refers specifically to the Passover sacrifice. This highlights the religious and spiritual nature of the neglect. It's a direct affront to God's command.
  • appointed time (mo’ed): The divinely set, specific time for the Passover (14th of Nisan). The precision underscores the seriousness of neglecting the commanded timing for divine worship.
• that man shall bear his sin (אֶת חֶטְאוֹ יִשָּׂא הָאִישׁ הַהוּא, et het'o yisa ha'ish hahu):
  • bear his sin (nasa' het'): To be held personally accountable and suffer the consequences of one's transgression. This signifies divine imputation of guilt and the assured imposition of judgment for the specific sin committed. It is an acknowledgment that their actions have incurred divine wrath and justice will be served.

• clean and is not on a journey: This phrase unequivocally eliminates all divinely-permitted excuses for not observing Passover. It sets the stage for judging willful, unmitigated disobedience.
• refrains from keeping the Passover: This emphasizes a conscious decision of negligence, a direct act of omission against a foundational divine command, showcasing disregard for God's redemption and covenant.
• cut off from his people... bear his sin: This couplet denotes both societal/communal excommunication and spiritual/personal accountability before God. It means severance from Israel's privileges and bearing divine judgment. The "cutting off" reflects the breach in the covenant relationship with both God and His people, leading to an eventual, severe penalty. "Bearing sin" points to individual guilt and responsibility for facing God's righteous judgment.

Numbers 9 13 Bonus section

The concept of "kareth" (being "cut off") as a penalty is complex in scholarly interpretations. It often goes beyond mere physical death or banishment, sometimes implying exclusion from the "world to come" or extinction of one's lineage within the covenant people. It represents a divine, not merely human, judgment. The "Passover offering" was unique as a sacrifice eaten communally by the Israelites, not burned on an altar, symbolizing direct communion and participation in God's redemptive work. Willfully refusing to partake was, in essence, refusing to identify with God's salvific act and His chosen people. The focus on "appointed time" (mo'ed) throughout the Torah emphasizes God's sovereign ordering of life and worship; rebellion against this timing reflects a rejection of divine authority itself, placing personal convenience or rebellion above God's established order.

Numbers 9 13 Commentary

Numbers 9:13 sternly warns against deliberate negligence in religious observance when no legitimate impediment exists. It establishes that participation in the communal rites, particularly the Passover which commemorates God's foundational act of redemption, is not optional for the covenanted Israelite. The phrase "cut off from his people" underscores the profound impact of such disobedience, resulting in both social and spiritual ostracization from the collective identity and covenant blessings of Israel. It emphasizes that this punishment is a direct consequence of refusing God's "appointed time" and "offering," implying a rebellion against divine authority and the very purpose of Israel's existence. The declaration that "that man shall bear his sin" further reinforces individual accountability, signaling that this transgression carries personal guilt and the certainty of divine judgment, without vicarious atonement or community absorption. The verse highlights God's demand for heartfelt obedience and active participation in His established worship, indicating that ritual without willing engagement is as condemned as outright defiance. For believers today, this echoes the importance of active participation in the body of Christ and faithful obedience to God's New Covenant commands, reminding us of the seriousness of spiritual indifference or deliberate rejection of divine appointments.