King James Version

What Does Numbers 9:14 Mean?

Numbers 9:14 in the King James Version says “And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the LORD; according to the ordinance of the p...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Numbers 9:14 · KJV

Context

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.

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.

15

And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning.

16

So it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the LORD (וְכִי־יָגוּר אִתְּכֶם גֵּר וְעָשָׂה פֶסַח לַיהוָה, vechi-yagur itkhem ger ve'asah fesaḥ laYHWH)—The ger (sojourner, resident alien) could participate in Israel's central redemptive feast, foreshadowing Gentile inclusion in the New Covenant. Ye shall have one ordinance (חֻקָּה אַחַת, ḥuqqah aḥat)—singular statute for native and foreigner alike.

This principle destroys ethnic favoritism: both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land (כַּגֵּר כָּאֶזְרָח, kager ka'ezraḥ). Paul quotes this theology in Galatians 3:28, 'There is neither Jew nor Greek.' The Passover, pointing to Christ our Passover sacrificed for us (1 Corinthians 5:7), was always meant for 'whosoever will' (Revelation 22:17).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Written during the wilderness period (c. 1444 BC), this law established inclusion criteria for non-Israelites in the covenant community. The requirement to observe Passover 'according to the ordinance' implied circumcision (Exodus 12:48), making this full covenant membership, not mere tolerance. The early church struggled with this same question at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the single standard for Israelite and stranger challenge both ethnic pride and cultural relativism in God's covenant people?
  2. What does the stranger's inclusion in Passover teach about the nature of salvation—by grace through faith, not by ethnic descent?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְכִֽי1 of 19
H3588

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

יָג֨וּר2 of 19

“shall sojourn”

H1481

properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);

אִתְּכֶ֜ם3 of 19
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

וְלַגֵּ֖ר4 of 19

“And if a stranger”

H1616

properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner

יַֽעֲשֶׂ֑ה5 of 19

“among you and will keep”

H6213

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

הַפֶּ֛סַח6 of 19

“of the passover”

H6453

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

לַֽיהוָ֔ה7 of 19

“unto the LORD”

H3068

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

חֻקָּ֤ה8 of 19

“according to the ordinance”

H2708

a statute

הַפֶּ֛סַח9 of 19

“of the passover”

H6453

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

וּכְמִשְׁפָּט֖וֹ10 of 19

“and according to the manner”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

כֵּ֣ן11 of 19
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

יַֽעֲשֶׂ֑ה12 of 19

“among you and will keep”

H6213

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

חֻקָּ֤ה13 of 19

“according to the ordinance”

H2708

a statute

אַחַת֙14 of 19

“ye shall have one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

יִֽהְיֶ֣ה15 of 19
H1961

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

לָכֶ֔ם16 of 19
H0
וְלַגֵּ֖ר17 of 19

“And if a stranger”

H1616

properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner

וּלְאֶזְרַ֥ח18 of 19

“and for him that was born”

H249

a spontaneous growth, i.e., native (tree or persons)

הָאָֽרֶץ׃19 of 19

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 9:14 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 9:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 12:48-49Leviticus 24:22Ephesians 2:19-22Isaiah 56:3-7Deuteronomy 31:12Leviticus 19:10

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