King James Version
What Does Numbers 9:10 Mean?
“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.”
Context
8
And Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the LORD will command concerning you.
9
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
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.
11
The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
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.
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(10) **In a journey afar off.**—Or, *on a distant journey. *This is one of the ten passages in the Pentateuch in which one or more words are marked with certain dots, known as *puncta extraordinaria. *In this case these dots stand over the word *rehokah, distant. *The Rabbinical explanation is that the word is either spurious, as not being found in Numbers 9:13, or is not to be interpreted in its literal signification, but in a qualified sense.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Numbers 9:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Numbers 9:10
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge