Numbers 9:8 kjv
And Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the LORD will command concerning you.
Numbers 9:8 nkjv
And Moses said to them, "Stand still, that I may hear what the LORD will command concerning you."
Numbers 9:8 niv
Moses answered them, "Wait until I find out what the LORD commands concerning you."
Numbers 9:8 esv
And Moses said to them, "Wait, that I may hear what the LORD will command concerning you."
Numbers 9:8 nlt
Moses answered, "Wait here until I have received instructions for you from the LORD."
Numbers 9 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 9:6-7 | Now there were certain men who were unclean... they came before Moses and Aaron. | Immediate context of the problem |
| Num 9:9-14 | And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying... the law of the Passover. | God's direct answer to the inquiry |
| Ex 12:43-49 | And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "This is the ordinance of the Passover..." | Initial Passover ordinances |
| Num 5:2-4 | Command the people of Israel that they put out of the camp every leper and every one having a discharge and every one who is unclean through contact with the dead. | General law on ritual impurity and camp exclusion |
| Lev 19:11 | Whoever touches a dead body, by which he becomes unclean, shall be unclean seven days. | Specific law on impurity from the dead |
| Ex 18:19-20 | Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel... you shall bring the cases before God... teaching them the statutes. | Moses as judge and mediator of God's law |
| Deut 17:8-11 | If any case arises involving a difficult point of law... you shall come to the Levitical priests and to the judge... and they shall declare to you the word... | Seeking divine guidance for legal dilemmas |
| 1 Sam 23:2 | David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" And the LORD said to David, "Go and attack..." | Leaders seeking specific divine direction |
| 1 Sam 30:8 | And David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I pursue after this band?... And he answered him, "Pursue, for you shall surely overtake..." | Inquiring of God for specific military action |
| Judg 1:1 | After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel inquired of the LORD, "Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites...?" | Tribes seeking God's counsel through Urim and Thummim |
| Psa 119:105 | Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. | Principle of seeking God's word for guidance |
| Isa 8:19-20 | When they say to you, "Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers..." To the law and to the testimony! | Rejecting pagan sources; relying on God's word |
| Jer 33:3 | Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. | God's promise to answer prayers and inquiries |
| Ezek 20:3 | Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and say to them, "Thus says the Lord GOD: Have you come to inquire of Me? As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you." | God's refusal to answer insincere inquiries |
| Joel 2:12-13 | "Yet even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart..." for he is gracious and merciful... | God's gracious character providing allowance for sincere repentance |
| Mt 12:3-5 | He said to them, "Have you not read what David did... or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath...?" | Principle of higher spiritual need overriding strict ritual observance |
| Mk 2:27-28 | And he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath." | Human need and God's intent behind laws |
| Heb 4:16 | Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. | Direct access to God's grace through Christ for all needs |
| Heb 8:6 | But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better... | Christ as the superior mediator of a new covenant |
| 1 Tim 2:5 | For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. | Jesus as the sole and perfect mediator |
| Jas 1:5 | If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach... | Encouragement to ask God for wisdom in specific situations |
| Prov 2:6 | For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. | Wisdom and understanding flow from God's word |
Numbers 9 verses
Numbers 9 8 Meaning
Numbers 9:8 demonstrates Moses' role as a divinely appointed mediator, receiving the Israelites' unique concerns and committing to bring their specific dilemma regarding Passover observance to the LORD for direct guidance. It reveals God's responsiveness to the genuine desire of His people to obey Him, even when faced with unforeseen ritual impediments. The verse signifies that divine law, while steadfast, provides for such sincere dilemmas through divine communication, establishing a path for resolution.
Numbers 9 8 Context
Numbers chapter 9 immediately follows the dedication of the tabernacle and its equipment (Num 7) and the consecration of the Levites (Num 8). This particular pericope (Num 9:1-14) is unusual because it interrupts the narrative flow, being a flashback to the first Passover observed in the wilderness, approximately one month before the main events of Numbers 1-8. The specific verse 8 arises from a critical situation: a group of men who are ritually unclean due to contact with a dead body (Num 9:6), rendering them unable to participate in the Passover ceremony at the appointed time according to divine law (Num 5:2; 19:11-22). They approach Moses and Aaron with their concern, indicating their genuine desire to observe the sacred feast despite their impediment. This query presents a dilemma not explicitly covered by the initial Passover regulations or existing purity laws, necessitating a direct divine ruling. The immediate cultural context emphasizes the high value placed on ritual purity for worship, contrasting implicitly with contemporary pagan practices which might not allow for such divine flexibility or direct petitioning by common people.
Numbers 9 8 Word analysis
- And Moses said (וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה – vayyō’mer mōšeh): This is a common Hebrew narrative introduction, highlighting Moses’ leadership role as the recipient and dispenser of divine communication. It emphasizes that this is not a human decision but an appeal to divine authority through Moses.
- to them (אֲלֵהֶם – ʾălêhem): Refers directly to the "certain men who were unclean" (Num 9:6). It underscores the specific and individual nature of the dilemma being addressed. God’s care extends to individual concerns.
- "Stand still (עִמְדוּ – ʿimdū)": This is an imperative verb, literally meaning "stand!" or "stop!" It signifies a command to pause, to wait, to be ready to receive instruction. It suggests a halt in immediate action, an expectation of forthcoming divine word. It indicates Moses taking authority and signaling that the issue is serious enough to warrant stopping.
- that I may hear (וְאֶשְׁמְעָה – wĕʾešməʿāh): This expresses the purpose of their standing still – for Moses to actively listen and receive. The root "שָׁמַע" (shamá‘) means "to hear," but often implies "to obey" or "to understand." Here, it points to Moses' crucial role as the intermediary who presents the people's case to God and receives God’s response. It reflects his consistent posture before God.
- what the LORD (מַה יְצַוֶּה יְהוָה – mah yĕṣawweh YHWH):
- LORD (יְהוָה – YHWH): The Tetragrammaton, the personal covenant name of God. This signifies that the instruction will come from the sovereign, covenant-keeping God of Israel, not a human invention or rabbinic interpretation. It emphasizes divine authority.
- will command (יְצַוֶּה – yĕṣawweh): From the root "צָוָה" (ṣāwāh), meaning "to command" or "to ordain." This term signifies an authoritative divine directive, a binding law. It indicates that the answer will not be a suggestion but a specific divine injunction for their situation.
- concerning you (לָכֶם – lākem): Literally "to you" or "for you." This phrase confirms that the coming command will be specifically tailored to the unique situation of the unclean men, demonstrating God’s attentive and particular care for His people's sincere desire to obey. It personalizes the divine instruction.
Numbers 9 8 Bonus section
This verse is foundational for the institution of "Pesach Sheni," or the "Second Passover," observed on the 14th day of the second month (Numbers 9:10-11). This tradition, directly resulting from God's instruction in response to Moses' inquiry, demonstrates several crucial theological principles:
- Divine Accommodation and Grace: God makes provision for those who, through circumstances beyond their control (like ritual impurity or being on a long journey), are unable to keep the Passover at its appointed time. This is not a relaxing of the law but an expansion of its gracious application.
- Emphasis on Sincerity: The fact that these men approached Moses out of their fervent desire to observe the Passover highlights that God regards the heart's intent in worship. Their legitimate hindrance did not negate their yearning to obey.
- God's Immanence: The LORD is depicted as intimately involved in the specific dilemmas of His people, ready to address their needs and clarify His will for their specific circumstances, showing He is not a distant, unapproachable deity.
- Pattern for Future Guidance: This event establishes a precedent within Israelite law for approaching God's appointed leaders with novel questions that fall outside existing regulations, indicating a dynamic aspect of divine revelation where the Law is interpreted and applied under God's guidance. This mechanism for receiving further instruction is a crucial element in how God shepherds His people.
Numbers 9 8 Commentary
Numbers 9:8 highlights a pivotal moment where Israel's practical, spiritual dilemma meets divine mediation. The unclean men, out of a profound desire to participate in the Passover, challenge the existing law by presenting their case to Moses. Instead of dismissing their sincere query or attempting to solve it with human wisdom, Moses directs them to "stand still." This pause is not an act of ignorance but a conscious, faith-filled commitment to seek a divine verdict. Moses acknowledges that this specific problem lies beyond the established written statutes, requiring a direct communication from the LORD (YHWH), the very source of the law. This verse underscores Moses’ essential mediatorial role, bridging the gap between God and His people, demonstrating that God is accessible and provides guidance for real-life challenges in obedience. It also foreshadows God's provision for exceptional circumstances (resulting in "Pesach Sheni," the Second Passover), ensuring that genuine desire for worship can find a legitimate avenue even when initially hindered by a precise legal framework.