King James Version

What Does Numbers 9:10 Mean?

Numbers 9:10 in the King James Version says “Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead b... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Numbers 9:10 · KJV


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

KJV Study Commentary
The law that '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' extends the second Passover provision to future generations. The Hebrew dorot (generations) makes this permanent statute. Two categories received accommodation: the ceremonially unclean and travelers. This demonstrates God's realism about human conditions while maintaining holiness requirements. The principle that life circumstances should not permanently exclude sincere worshipers finds fulfillment in Christ, who breaks down every barrier between God and man (Ephesians 2:14).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The travel provision recognized that Israelites might be legitimately absent from the central sanctuary due to necessary journeys. In later centuries when Jews lived in diaspora far from Jerusalem, this provision gained increased importance, though by then synagogue worship had developed as a substitute for temple participation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's accommodation for circumstances challenge legalistic exclusion of sincere believers?
  2. What barriers to worship exist today that sincere faith should overcome?
  3. How has Christ's work eliminated the distance and separation that once kept people from God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
דַּבֵּ֛ר1 of 20

Speak

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֶל2 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּנֵ֥י3 of 20

unto the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל4 of 20

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לֵאמֹ֑ר5 of 20

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אִ֣ישׁ6 of 20

If any

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אִ֣ישׁ7 of 20

If any

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

כִּי8 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יִהְיֶֽה9 of 20
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

טָמֵ֣א׀10 of 20

shall be unclean

H2931

foul in a religious sense

לָנֶ֡פֶשׁ11 of 20

by reason of a dead body

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

אוֹ֩12 of 20
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

בְדֶ֨רֶךְ13 of 20

or be in a journey

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

רְחֹקָ֜הׄ14 of 20

afar off

H7350

remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)

לָכֶ֗ם15 of 20
H0
א֚וֹ16 of 20
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם17 of 20

of you or of your posterity

H1755

properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling

וְעָ֥שָׂה18 of 20

yet he shall keep

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

פֶ֖סַח19 of 20

the passover

H6453

a pretermission, i.e., exemption; used only techically of the jewish passover (the festival or the victim)

לַֽיהוָֽה׃20 of 20

unto the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god


Study Guide

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 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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