King James Version

What Does Numbers 9:7 Mean?

Numbers 9:7 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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?”

Numbers 9:7 · KJV

Context

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.

9

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Read Numbers 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The defiled men's question 'Wherefore are we kept back, that we may not offer an offering of the LORD in his appointed season?' expresses genuine grief over exclusion from corporate worship. Their phrase 'kept back' (Hebrew gara—diminished/restrained) reveals they felt impoverished by missing the feast. This holy desire for participation led to divine accommodation. The principle emerges that God responds to sincere longing for His presence and ordinances. Their question also raises the theological issue of how purity laws relate to covenant participation, ultimately resolved in Christ who makes the unclean clean.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This incident demonstrates the living nature of God's law under Moses—when new circumstances arose, Moses inquired of the Lord for clarification (verse 8). This pattern appears repeatedly in Torah, showing that even Moses did not presume to legislate without divine instruction. The supplementary Passover in the second month (verses 10-11) became permanent law from this incident.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does genuine desire for God's ordinances distinguish true piety from mere duty?
  2. What does God's responsiveness to sincere questions teach about His accessibility?
  3. How should church leaders respond when circumstances create barriers to covenant participation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַ֠יֹּֽאמְרוּ1 of 19

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֤ים2 of 19
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)

הָהֵ֙מָּה֙3 of 19

“And those”

H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

אֵלָ֔יו4 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲנַ֥חְנוּ5 of 19
H587

we

טְמֵאִ֖ים6 of 19

“unto him We are defiled”

H2931

foul in a religious sense

לְנֶ֣פֶשׁ7 of 19

“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

אָדָ֑ם8 of 19

“of a man”

H120

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

לָ֣מָּה9 of 19
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

נִגָּרַ֗ע10 of 19

“wherefore are we kept back”

H1639

to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold

לְבִלְתִּ֨י11 of 19
H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

הַקְרִ֜יב12 of 19

“that we may not offer”

H7126

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

אֶת13 of 19
H853

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

קָרְבַּ֤ן14 of 19

“an offering”

H7133

something brought near the altar, i.e., a sacrificial present

יְהוָה֙15 of 19

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

בְּמֹ֣עֲד֔וֹ16 of 19

“in his appointed season”

H4150

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

בְּת֖וֹךְ17 of 19

“among”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

בְּנֵ֥י18 of 19

“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׃19 of 19

“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 9:7 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 9:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Corinthians 5:7-8Numbers 9:22 Chronicles 30:17-19Deuteronomy 16:2Exodus 12:27

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