King James Version

What Does Numbers 9:6 Mean?

Numbers 9:6 in the King James Version says “And there were certain men, who were defiled by the dead body of a man, that they could not keep the passover on that da... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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:

Numbers 9:6 · KJV


Context

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?

8

And Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the LORD will command concerning you.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The case of men defiled by dead bodies unable to keep Passover introduces a problem requiring divine solution. Their ceremonial uncleanness prohibited participation in the holy feast, yet they desired to obey. The Hebrew tame (unclean) created an impossible situation—they could not become clean quickly enough. This reveals the inadequacy of the ceremonial system to fully accommodate human frailty. Their plea for inclusion (verse 7) shows genuine piety, leading to divine accommodation (verses 9-11). This pictures how Christ's work removes the barrier between holy God and defiled sinners.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Defilement from dead bodies required seven days of purification (Numbers 19:11-12), making same-day Passover participation impossible. The dilemma was genuine: obey the purity law and miss Passover, or participate in Passover while ceremonially unclean and profane the holy feast. Both options violated God's law until He provided a solution.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this dilemma illustrate situations where God's commands seem to conflict?
  2. What does God's gracious solution teach about His heart toward sincere worshipers?
  3. How does Christ resolve the tension between God's holiness and our defilement?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיְהִ֣י1 of 20
H1961

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

אֲנָשִׁ֗ים2 of 20

And there were certain men

H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר3 of 20
H834

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

הָי֤וּ4 of 20
H1961

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

טְמֵאִים֙5 of 20

who were defiled

H2931

foul in a religious sense

לְנֶ֣פֶשׁ6 of 20

by the 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

אָדָ֔ם7 of 20

of a man

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

וְלֹֽא8 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָכְל֥וּ9 of 20

that they could

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

לַֽעֲשֹׂת10 of 20

not keep

H6213

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

הַפֶּ֖סַח11 of 20

the passover

H6453

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

בַּיּ֥וֹם12 of 20

on that 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

הַה֑וּא13 of 20
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וַֽיִּקְרְב֞וּ14 of 20

and they came

H7126

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

וְלִפְנֵ֥י15 of 20

and before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מֹשֶׁ֛ה16 of 20

Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

וְלִפְנֵ֥י17 of 20

and before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אַֽהֲרֹ֖ן18 of 20

Aaron

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

בַּיּ֥וֹם19 of 20

on that 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

הַהֽוּא׃20 of 20
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo


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 9:6 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 9:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study