King James Version

What Does Numbers 9:5 Mean?

Numbers 9:5 in the King James Version says “And they kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And they kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel.

Numbers 9:5 · KJV


Context

3

In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, ye shall keep it in his appointed season: according to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof, shall ye keep it. at even: Heb. between the two evenings

4

And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, that they should keep the passover.

5

And they kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel.

6

And there were certain men, who were defiled by the dead body of a man, that they could not keep the passover on that day: and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day:

7

And those men said unto him, We are defiled by the dead body of a man: wherefore are we kept back, that we may not offer an offering of the LORD in his appointed season among the children of Israel?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The record 'they kept the passover...according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel' demonstrates corporate covenant faithfulness. The entire nation obeyed precisely. This pattern of obedience precedes the subsequent rebellion and unbelief, showing that early faithfulness does not guarantee perseverance. The conditional nature of the Mosaic covenant meant blessing for obedience, curse for disobedience. This points to the need for the New Covenant with its unconditional promises secured by Christ's perfect obedience and empowered by the Spirit's internal work.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This second Passover occurred before the scouts' bad report (Numbers 13-14), Korah's rebellion (Numbers 16), and the subsequent 40 years of wilderness wandering. The generation that kept this Passover would die in the wilderness except for Joshua and Caleb. Initial obedience did not guarantee final salvation under the old covenant.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does early faithfulness followed by rebellion warn against presuming on past obedience?
  2. What makes the New Covenant superior to the conditional Mosaic covenant?
  3. How does the Spirit's work enable perseverance where mere human effort fails?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
עָשׂ֖וּ1 of 22

And they kept

H6213

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

אֶת2 of 22
H853

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

הַפֶּ֡סַח3 of 22

the passover

H6453

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

בָּֽרִאשׁ֡וֹן4 of 22

of the first

H7223

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

בְּאַרְבָּעָה֩5 of 22

on the fourteenth

H702

four

עָשָׂ֨ר6 of 22
H6240

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

י֥וֹם7 of 22

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

לַחֹ֛דֶשׁ8 of 22

month

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

בֵּ֥ין9 of 22
H996

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

הָֽעַרְבַּ֖יִם10 of 22

at even

H6153

dusk

בְּמִדְבַּ֣ר11 of 22

in the wilderness

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

סִינָ֑י12 of 22

of Sinai

H5514

sinai, mountain of arabia

כְּ֠כֹל13 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר14 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

צִוָּ֤ה15 of 22

commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוָה֙16 of 22

according to all that the LORD

H3068

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

אֶת17 of 22
H853

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

מֹשֶׁ֔ה18 of 22

Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

כֵּ֥ן19 of 22
H3651

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

עָשׂ֖וּ20 of 22

And they kept

H6213

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

בְּנֵ֥י21 of 22

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

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃22 of 22

of Israel

H3478

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


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 9:5 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 9:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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