Numbers 9:1-9

1 The Lord spoke to Moses in the Desert of Sinai in the first month of the second year after the Israelites left Egypt. He said,

2 "Tell the Israelites to celebrate the Passover at the appointed time.

3 That appointed time is the fourteenth day of this month at twilight; they must obey all the rules about it."

4 So Moses told the Israelites to celebrate the Passover,

5 and they did; it was in the Desert of Sinai at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses.

6 But some of the people could not celebrate the Passover on that day because they were unclean from touching a dead body. So they went to Moses and Aaron that day and

7 said to Moses, "We are unclean because of touching a dead body. But why should we be kept from offering gifts to the Lord at this appointed time? Why can't we join the other Israelites?"

8 Moses said to them, "Wait, and I will find out what the Lord says about you."

9 Then the Lord said to Moses,

Numbers 9:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 9

In this chapter the command for keeping the passover is repeated, and it was accordingly kept, Nu 9:1-5; but some persons being defiled and disqualified for observing it, Moses inquires of the Lord, on their solicitation, what should be done in such a case, Nu 9:6-8; when it was ordered to be kept by such, and those on journeys, on the fourteenth day of the second month, but not by others, who were to observe it according to its first appointment, Nu 9:9-14; and an account is given of the appearance of the cloud by day, and fire by night, upon the tabernacle, which directed the children of Israel when to journey, and when to pitch their tents, Nu 9:15-23.