FocusNumbering, worship, and preparation
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The camp is organized around the tabernacle and prepared to depart from Sinai.
interpretation Numbers 9:10
KJVSpeak 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.
Read it in context
The Second Passover
Start reading at Numbers 9:1 (Numbers 9:1 to Numbers 9:14).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The camp is organized around the tabernacle and prepared to depart from Sinai.
- 9:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,
- 9:2 Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season.
- 9:3 In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, ye shall keep it in his appointed season: according to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof, shall ye keep it.
- 9:4 And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, that they should keep the passover.
- 9:5 And they kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel.
- 9:6 And there were certain men, who were defiled by the dead body of a man, that they could not keep the passover on that day: and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day:
- 9:7 And those men said unto him, We are defiled by the dead body of a man: wherefore are we kept back, that we may not offer an offering of the LORD in his appointed season among the children of Israel?
- 9:8 And Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the LORD will command concerning you.
- 9:9 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
- 9:10 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.
- 9:11 The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
- 9:12 They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it.
- 9:13 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.
- 9:14 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.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Moses is the traditional author. He is explicitly credited with writing Israel's journeys at the LORD's command. Biblical references: Numbers 33:2. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Numbers 9:1–10:36): Moses instructs Israel concerning Passover and departure arrangements. The Israelite camp follows the LORD's guidance through the cloud and appointed signals. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Israel during the wilderness journey, including the generation preparing to enter Canaan, with the record preserved for later Israel. Biblical references: Numbers 1:1; Numbers 26:63; Numbers 36:13. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The Second Passover. Read Numbers 9:1 through Numbers 9:14 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The camp is organized around the tabernacle and prepared to depart from Sinai. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book moves from the second year after departure from Egypt toward the fortieth year, through the deaths of the wilderness generation and preparation of its successors. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The setting moves from Sinai through wilderness stations to the plains of Moab east of Jordan. Individual journeys and encounters name more precise locations. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The Second Passover (Numbers 9:1 to Numbers 9:14). Start reading at Numbers 9:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus explicitly refers to Moses lifting up the serpent when speaking about the Son of man. Paul also uses wilderness events as warnings for the church; these connections preserve both God's provision and human responsibility. See John 3:14, John 3:15, 1 Corinthians 10:6, 1 Corinthians 10:12. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Receive warnings about complaint, unbelief, and rebellion without presuming that participation in a community removes personal responsibility. Read each event with its stated circumstances. interpretation
Cited: Numbers 9:1, Numbers 9:14, John 3:14, John 3:15, 1 Corinthians 10:6, 1 Corinthians 10:12
Who wrote it, and how we know
Moses (traditional)
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book states that Moses wrote the record of the journeys at the LORD's command.
Numbers 33:2
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition names Moses.
What is debatedSource-critical theories propose later editing.
Related passages
- be unclean Num 9:6-7 Rom 15:8-19 Rom 16:25-26 1 Cor 6:9-11 Eph 2:1-2,12-13 Eph 3:6-9
- yet he shall keep Matt 5:24 1 Cor 11:28
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Time covered by Numbers
About 38 years
- Second year after the exodusBeginning · Numbers 1:1
Israel is counted at Sinai
The opening census is dated to the first day of the second month in the second year after leaving Egypt. - Fortieth year after the exodusClosing wilderness period
Israel prepares to enter the land
Aaron’s death is dated to the fortieth year. The closing instructions are given on the plains of Moab before Israel crosses the Jordan.
The dated narrative moves from the second year toward the end of the fortieth year, an interval of roughly 38 years.
View historical notes and sources
This is an approximate span of the narrative, not an exact count of days and not the date when the book was written. Numbers 33:38 dates Aaron’s death; Numbers 36:13 identifies the closing setting. Deuteronomy 1:3 places Moses’ subsequent address in the fortieth year.
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Numbers 9
Numbers follows Israel in the wilderness and toward the plains of Moab. The narrative moves from one numbered generation to another, combining events with commands for Israel. Distinguish the date of a narrated event from a proposed date of composition. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Numbers 1:1 Numbers 14:29 Numbers 26:64
The Cloud above the Tabernacle
Numbers 9:15–23FocusNumbering, worship, and preparation
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The camp is organized around the tabernacle and prepared to depart from Sinai.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Numbers
Numbers follows Israel in the wilderness and toward the plains of Moab. The narrative moves from one numbered generation to another, combining events with commands for Israel. Distinguish the date of a narrated event from a proposed date of composition.
Numbers 1:1 Numbers 14:29 Numbers 26:64
FocusNumbering, worship, and preparation
Connection to the wholeThe camp is organized around the tabernacle and prepared to depart from Sinai.
interpretation The journey and the refusal to enter
Numbers 10:11–14:45FocusComplaint, leadership, and unbelief
Connection to the wholeTravel and repeated complaints culminate in the refusal to enter the land and the sentence upon that generation.
interpretation Life under the wilderness judgment
Numbers 15:1–19:22FocusPriesthood and cleansing
Connection to the wholeFurther rebellion and instructions about service and cleansing develop the people's life during the wilderness period.
interpretation Toward Moab
Numbers 20:1–25:18FocusLoss, conflict, blessing, and unfaithfulness
Connection to the wholeDeaths and conflicts accompany the approach to Moab. Balaam's oracles are followed by Israel's sin at Peor, keeping blessing and responsibility together.
interpretation The next generation prepared
Numbers 26:1–30:16FocusInheritance, leadership, offerings, and vows
Connection to the wholeA new numbering and instructions prepare the people who will enter the land, including Joshua's appointment.
interpretation Final arrangements east of Jordan
Numbers 31:1–36:13FocusJudgment, settlement, and boundaries
Connection to the wholeMilitary action, settlement requests, the travel record, and land provisions complete the preparation for entry into Canaan.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.