King James Version

What Does Numbers 9:11 Mean?

Numbers 9:11 in the King James Version says “The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.”

Numbers 9:11 · KJV

Context

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.

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.

Read Numbers 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The command that the second Passover be kept 'according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof' shows that accommodation regarding timing did not permit alteration of substance. The Hebrew chukat (ordinance) and mishpat (manner) emphasize that all ritual elements remained mandatory. This teaches that divine flexibility in circumstances does not equal latitude in content. The gospel similarly accommodates all peoples and conditions, yet remains fixed in content—faith in Christ crucified and risen (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Grace does not change truth; it makes truth accessible.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The second Passover required identical observance: unblemished lamb, bitter herbs, unleavened bread, specific timing (though one month later), and recounting the Exodus narrative. Only the date shifted; nothing else could be modified. This precision shows that God's accommodation extended to when worship occurred, not how it was performed.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does fixed content with flexible circumstances inform contemporary worship debates?
  2. What elements of Christian worship are negotiable versus non-negotiable?
  3. How can we accommodate different people's situations while maintaining gospel truth?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
בַּחֹ֨דֶשׁ1 of 13

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הַשֵּׁנִ֜י2 of 13

“of the second”

H8145

properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again

בְּאַרְבָּעָ֨ה3 of 13

“The fourteenth”

H702

four

עָשָׂ֥ר4 of 13
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

י֛וֹם5 of 13

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

בֵּ֥ין6 of 13
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

הָֽעַרְבַּ֖יִם7 of 13

“at even”

H6153

dusk

יַֽעֲשׂ֣וּ8 of 13

“they shall keep”

H6213

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

אֹת֑וֹ9 of 13
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עַל10 of 13
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מַצּ֥וֹת11 of 13

“it with unleavened bread”

H4682

properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e., not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the fes

וּמְרֹרִ֖ים12 of 13

“and bitter”

H4844

a bitter herb

יֹֽאכְלֻֽהוּ׃13 of 13

“it and eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

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 9:11 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 9:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 30:2-15Deuteronomy 16:3John 19:36Exodus 12:43-49Exodus 12:2-14Numbers 9:3

Test Your Knowledge

Numbers 9 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterNumbers Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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