Numbers 9 14

Numbers 9:14 kjv

And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the LORD; according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land.

Numbers 9:14 nkjv

'And if a stranger dwells among you, and would keep the LORD's Passover, he must do so according to the rite of the Passover and according to its ceremony; you shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger and the native of the land.' "

Numbers 9:14 niv

"?'A foreigner residing among you is also to celebrate the LORD's Passover in accordance with its rules and regulations. You must have the same regulations for both the foreigner and the native-born.'?"

Numbers 9:14 esv

And if a stranger sojourns among you and would keep the Passover to the LORD, according to the statute of the Passover and according to its rule, so shall he do. You shall have one statute, both for the sojourner and for the native."

Numbers 9:14 nlt

And if foreigners living among you want to celebrate the Passover to the LORD, they must follow these same decrees and regulations. The same laws apply both to native-born Israelites and to the foreigners living among you."

Numbers 9 verses

Numbers 9 14 Meaning

Numbers 9:14 dictates that the ordinance of the Passover is universal for both the native-born Israelite and the "sojourner" (ger) dwelling among them. It emphasizes a single, non-discriminatory standard for all who wish to keep this pivotal worship act to the Lord. The verse underscores God's justice and the principle that religious participation and adherence to His covenant stipulations are determined by commitment to His commands, rather than by ethnic origin alone.

Numbers 9 14 Context

Numbers chapter 9 begins by stating that the Lord commanded Israel to keep the Passover in the Wilderness of Sinai in the first month of the second year after their departure from Egypt. This marks a re-emphasis and reaffirmation of the Passover ordinance given in Exodus, ensuring its continuation even in the wilderness journey. Verses 6-8 address the scenario of individuals being unclean (e.g., from touching a dead body) and unable to celebrate Passover at the appointed time, leading to the provision of a "second Passover" a month later (Numbers 9:9-13). Numbers 9:14 then extends these precise Passover regulations—including the provision for delayed celebration if necessary—to the "stranger" or "sojourner" (ger) living within the Israelite community, thereby explicitly making God's covenant requirements applicable to all residents who desired to observe them, without distinction of birth. This broadens the scope of covenant participation and underscores the impartiality of God's law.

Numbers 9 14 Word analysis

• And if a stranger: The Hebrew word for stranger here is ger (גֵּר֙). This refers not to a casual visitor, but to a non-Israelite who has taken up residence within the Israelite community, often indicating a desire to assimilate or live under Israelite laws and protections. It implies a degree of commitment or belonging.
• shall sojourn among you: Implies living within the land of Israel or the Israelite encampment. This isn't for outsiders far away, but for those integrated into the daily life of the community.
• and will keep the Passover unto the Lord: This specifies religious observance, indicating an intentional act of worship. "Passover" (Pesach, פֶּ֥סַח) is a central annual feast commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egypt, foundational to their identity and covenant relationship with Yahweh. To keep it "unto the Lord" signifies proper intention and devotion to God.
• according to the ordinance of the Passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do: The terms chuqqat (חֻקַּ֥ת, "ordinance" or "statute") and mishpat (מִשְׁפַּ֥ט, "manner" or "judgment/rule") emphasize strict adherence to divine prescription. There is no special modification or lesser standard for the sojourner; the requirement for observance is identical to that of the native Israelite. This highlights uniformity in religious law.
• ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land: This powerful phrase explicitly reiterates the core principle of impartiality in God's law. "One ordinance" signifies a single, non-discriminatory legal and religious standard. It removes any distinction between the ger (sojourner) and the ezrach (אֶזְרָ֔ח, "native-born"), demonstrating God's justice and His welcoming nature to those who sincerely seek Him and adhere to His commands.

Words-group analysis:

• "And if a stranger... unto the Lord": This phrase introduces the specific conditions under which a ger can participate in the sacred Passover ritual. It presupposes a willing desire to join in Israel's worship, moving beyond mere co-habitation.
• "according to the ordinance... so shall he do": This section emphasizes meticulous adherence to the established divine commandments. It highlights that the validity of the observance rests on faithful execution of God's instructions, not on the observer's background.
• "ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land": This final declaration summarizes the foundational principle of equity under divine law. It ensures that God's statutes are applied justly and equally to all within the community who choose to obey them, underscoring God's universal nature and a significant aspect of biblical jurisprudence regarding resident aliens.

Numbers 9 14 Bonus section

This verse carries a significant polemic against ethnocentrism. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, deities were typically linked exclusively to their own nations, and religious participation was limited to native citizens. The Israelite God, Yahweh, here reveals His nature as sovereign over all peoples and willing to welcome into His covenant relationship those from any nation who genuinely align with His commands. This principle, established early in the wilderness journey, lays crucial groundwork for understanding later prophecies about Gentiles flocking to Jerusalem and, ultimately, for the New Testament's revelation of salvation for all humanity through Jesus Christ, fulfilling God's inclusive intentions. It's a foundational text for understanding the missional heartbeat inherent in the Law.

Numbers 9 14 Commentary

Numbers 9:14 is a profound declaration of inclusivity and impartiality within God's covenant people. In an ancient world where identity was inextricably tied to ethnicity and national birthright, this verse asserts that adherence to God's divine statutes transcends such boundaries for those dwelling within the community. The ger, the sojourner, is given the exact same standing as the native-born Israelite in observing the sacred Passover. This wasn't merely a matter of social hospitality but a theological statement: proper relationship with Yahweh, defined by obedience to His covenant, was open to non-Israelites who chose to align themselves with His ways. This concept foreshadows the later biblical expansion of God's redemptive plan to include Gentiles through Christ, demonstrating that faith and obedience are the primary qualifiers for belonging to God's people, rather than solely lineage. It speaks to God's equitable justice and His heart for all who genuinely seek Him and submit to His commandments.