Numbers 9:6-14 · Bible study
Numbers 9:6-14 Commentary: The Second Passover
Hebrew · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Numbers 9:6-14 shows how God resolved the conflict between Passover obligation and uncleanness, establishing a second Passover for the legitimately hindered.
Research Summary
- Meaning: God provides a second Passover for those hindered by uncleanness or distance, maintaining both the holiness of the feast and grace for legitimate obstacles.
- Key words: 'unclean' (טָמֵא, tame), ritual impurity from corpse contact; 'second month', Iyar, one month after the regular Passover; 'cut off' (כָּרַת, karat), divine punishment, removal from the community.
- Main debate: Identity of the men (likely Mishael and Elizaphan, per Barnes and JFB, vs. unnamed mourners) and the extent of 'distant journey', whether it covers all valid hindrances (Jewish tradition) or only literal distance.
- Theological theme: The tension between divine command and human limitation, resolved by God's gracious provision within the law itself. Grace does not cancel obligation but makes obedience possible.
- Best use: Teaching on God's character as both holy and merciful; pastoral application for those who miss church ordinances through no fault of their own; typological connection to Christ, the true Passover lamb.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
6But there were some men who were unclean due to a dead body, so they could not observe the Passover on that day. And they came before Moses and Aaron that same day
7and said to Moses, “We are unclean because of a dead body, but why should we be excluded from presenting the LORD’s offering with the other Israelites at the appointed time?”
8“Wait here until I find out what the LORD commands concerning you,” Moses replied.
9Then the LORD said to Moses,
10“Tell the Israelites: ‘When any one of you or your descendants is unclean because of a dead body, or is away on a journey, he may still observe the Passover to the LORD.
11Such people are to observe it at twilight on the fourteenth day of the second month. They are to eat the lamb, together with unleavened bread and bitter herbs;
12they may not leave any of it until morning or break any of its bones. They must observe the Passover according to all its statutes.
13But if a man who is ceremonially clean and is not on a journey still fails to observe the Passover, he must be cut off from his people, because he did not present the LORD’s offering at its appointed time. That man will bear the consequences of his sin.
14If a foreigner dwelling among you wants to observe the Passover to the LORD, he is to do so according to the Passover statute and its ordinances. You are to apply the same statute to both the foreigner and the native of the land.’”
WEB World English Bible 2000
6There were certain men who were unclean because of the dead body of a man, so that they could not keep the Passover on that day, and they came before Moses and Aaron on that day.
7Those men said to him, “We are unclean because of the dead body of a man. Why are we kept back, that we may not offer the offering of Yahweh in its appointed season among the children of Israel?”
8Moses answered them, “Wait, that I may hear what Yahweh will command concerning you.”
9Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
10“Say to the children of Israel, ‘If any man of you or of your generations is unclean by reason of a dead body, or is on a journey far away, he shall still keep the Passover to Yahweh.
11In the second month, on the fourteenth day at evening they shall keep it; they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
12They shall leave none of it until the morning, nor break a bone of it. According to all the statute of the Passover they shall keep it.
13But the man who is clean, and is not on a journey, and fails to keep the Passover, that soul shall be cut off from his people. Because he didn’t offer the offering of Yahweh in its appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.
14“‘If a foreigner lives among you and desires to keep the Passover to Yahweh, then he shall do so according to the statute of the Passover, and according to its ordinance. You shall have one statute, both for the foreigner and for him who is born in the land.’”
KJV King James Version 1769
6And 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:
7And 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?
8And Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the Lord will command concerning you.
9And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
10Speak 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.
11The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
12They 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.
13But 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.
14And 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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
6And there were certain men, who were unclean by reason of the dead body of a man, so that they could not keep the passover on that day: and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day:
7and those men said unto him, We are unclean by reason of the dead body of a man: wherefore are we kept back, that we may not offer the oblation of Jehovah in its appointed season among the children of Israel?
8And Moses said unto them, Stay ye, that I may hear what Jehovah will command concerning you.
9And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,
10Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your generations shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be on a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto Jehovah.
11In the second month on the fourteenth day at even they shall keep it; they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs:
12they shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break a bone thereof: according to all the statute of the passover they shall keep it.
13But the man that is clean, and is not on a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, that soul shall be cut off from his people; because he offered not the oblation of Jehovah in its appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.
14And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto Jehovah; according to the statute of the passover, and according to the ordinance thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one statute, both for the sojourner, and for him that is born in the land.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
6And there are men who have been defiled by the body of a man, and they have not been able to prepare the passover on that day, and they come near before Moses, and before Aaron, on that day,
7and those men say unto him, `We are defiled by the body of a man; why are we withheld so as not to bring near the offering of Jehovah in its appointed season, in the midst of the sons of Israel?'
8And Moses saith unto them, `Stand ye, and I hear what Jehovah hath commanded concerning you.'
9And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses, saying,
10`Speak unto the sons of Israel, saying, Though any man is unclean by a body or in a distant journey (of you or of your generations), yet he hath prepared a passover to Jehovah;
11in the second month, on the fourteenth day, between the evenings they prepare it; with unleavened and bitter things they eat it;
12they do not leave of till morning; and a bone they do not break in it: according to all the statute of the passover they prepare it.
13`And the man who is clean, and hath not been on a journey, and hath ceased to prepare the passover, even that person hath been cut off from his people; because the offering of Jehovah he hath not brought near, in its appointed season, that man doth bear his sin.
14`And when a sojourner sojourneth with you, then he hath prepared a passover to Jehovah, according to the statute of the passover, and according to its ordinance, so he doth; one statute is to you, even to a sojourner, and to a native of the land.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
6And there were men, who were unclean through the dead body of a man, and could not hold the passover on that day; and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day.
7And those men said to him, We are unclean by reason of the dead body of a man: why are we kept back, that we may not present the offering of Jehovah at its set time among the children of Israel?
8And Moses said to them, Stay, and I will hear what Jehovah commands concerning you.
9And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying,
10Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any one of you or of your generations be unclean by reason of a dead body or be on a journey afar off, yet he shall hold the passover to Jehovah.
11In the second month, on the fourteenth day, between the two evenings, shall they hold it; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs shall they eat it.
12They shall leave none of it until the morning, nor break a bone thereof: according to every ordinance of the passover shall they hold it.
13But a man that is clean, and is not on a journey, and forbeareth to hold the passover, that soul shall be cut off from among his peoples; because he presented not the offering of Jehovah at its set time: that man shall bear his sin.
14And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and would hold the passover to Jehovah, according to the rite of the passover, and according to the ordinance thereof, so shall he do. Ye shall have one rite, both for the stranger and for him that is born in the land.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
6But behold some who were unclean by occasion of the soul of a man, who could not make the phase on that day, coming to Moses and Aaron,
7Said to them: We are unclean by occasion of the soul of a man. Why are we kept back that we may not offer in its season the offering to the Lord among the children of Israel?
8And Moses answered them: Stay that I may consult the Lord what he will ordain concerning you.
9And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
10Say to the children of Israel: The man that shall be unclean by occasion of one that is dead, or shall be in a journey afar off in your nation, let him make the phase to the Lord.
11In the second month, on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening, they shall eat it with unleavened bread and wild lettuce:
12They shall not leave any thing thereof until morning, nor break a bone thereof, they shall observe all the ceremonies of the phase.
13But if any man is clean, and was not on a journey, and did not make the phase, that soul shall be cut off from among his people, because he offered not sacrifice to the Lord in due season: he shall bear his sin.
14The sojourner also and the stranger if they be among you, shall make the phase to the Lord according to the ceremonies and justifications thereof. The same ordinances shall be with you both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Numbers 9:6
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that the case of the men defiled by a corpse created a genuine dilemma. The law both barred the unclean from the sanctuary and required Passover observance under penalty of being cut off from the people. Moses, showing what Calvin calls 'extraordinary modesty,' did not presume to decide but waited on God. The ruling established a second Passover one month later, called the 'little Passover' in later Jewish tradition, for those unclean or on a distant journey.
Barnes suggests the men were likely Mishael and Elizaphan, who had just buried Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:4-5). Clarke notes that this 'gave rise to the ordinance' that the Passover could be celebrated twice. All agree the provision applies to future generations and includes the resident foreigner who desires to keep the festival, requiring one statute for all.
The consensus holds that the ruling is exhaustive for legitimate hindrances, while willful neglect remains a capital offense. As Matthew Henry puts it, the law is framed to maintain both the holiness of the feast and the grace that makes a way for those who desire to keep it.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Historical identification view: The men are specifically Mishael and Elizaphan (Barnes, JFB), grounding the passage in a known event; others see them as anonymous mourners, emphasizing the general principle.
- Scope of hindrances view: Some limit 'distant journey' to literal distance; others (Wesley, Jewish tradition) see it as representative of all valid excuses like sickness or necessary work.
- Nature of 'cut off' view: Cambridge Bible sees it as divine punishment alone; others allow for community excommunication; all agree it is severe and final.
What is clear: God provides a gracious solution for those who are genuinely hindered from keeping Passover, while holding those who willfully neglect it fully accountable.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Identity of the men | They were Israelites made unclean by contact with a dead body, which prevented Passover participation. The event prompted the divine ruling. | Barnes and Jamieson-Fausset-Brown identify them as Mishael and Elizaphan, who buried Nadab and Abihu. Others (Gill, Cambridge) leave them unnamed but assume the context of recent deaths, possibly family members. |
| Scope of 'distant journey' (v.10) | The provision applies to those who are on a journey far away, not merely a short distance within the land. It is meant to cover genuine inability to attend. | Jewish tradition (Wesley, citing Hebrews) extends it to all valid hindrances like sickness. Some commentators limit it to literal geographical distance. The Hebrew text places puncta extraordinaria over 'distant,' suggesting ancient scribal uncertainty about the exact meaning. |
| The penalty of being 'cut off' (v.13) | This refers to a severe divine judgment, presumably premature death or excommunication, for willful neglect of Passover by someone who had no valid excuse. | Cambridge Bible interprets it as 'death by divine agency, not by punishment inflicted at the hands of the community.' Others see it as excommunication from the covenant community. Both views agree it is no small matter. |
| Inclusion of the foreigner (v.14) | A resident foreigner (ger) who desires to keep Passover may do so, and one statute applies to both native and foreigner. | Gill notes this applies to a 'proselyte of righteousness' who is circumcised (Exodus 12:48). The Cambridge Bible distinguishes between the ger (sojourner under Israel's protection) and the temporary foreigner (toshav), who was forbidden. The passage does not specify whether all foreigners are included or only those who fully convert. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Numbers 9 opens in the first month of the second year after the Exodus, with Israel encamped at Sinai. The tabernacle has just been built and dedicated, and the people are preparing to march. This Passover marks the first anniversary of their liberation from Egypt. But some men cannot celebrate because they are unclean from contact with a dead body, a condition that barred anyone from the sanctuary on pain of death (Leviticus 7:20-21).
Jewish tradition identifies these men as Mishael and Elizaphan, the cousins of Nadab and Abihu, who had been consumed by fire from the Lord just days earlier (Leviticus 10:1-5). They had carried out the bodies, rendering themselves unclean during the week leading up to Passover. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown notes that 'to discharge the last offices to the remains of deceased relatives was imperative; and yet attendance on a funeral entailed ceremonial defilement.' The men faced a conflict of duties: obey the law of purity or obey the law of the feast.
Moses' response, 'Wait, that I may hear what Yahweh will command', follows the pattern of judicial inquiry seen in Exodus 18:15-26, where hard cases are brought to God. The resolution establishes a 'second month' Passover (later called Pesach Sheni) on the fourteenth day of Iyar, exactly one month after the regular feast. The same strict rules apply: no breaking of bones, no leftovers, eating with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. The Cambridge Bible notes that this provision was understood in later days to include all good reasons preventing observance, as seen in Hezekiah's celebration of a delayed Passover (2 Chronicles 30:2-3).
The final clause extends the statute to the foreigner who sojourns among Israel, the ger, a resident alien who has put himself under Israel's protection. This anticipates the inclusion of Gentiles in the covenant community, a theme that grows throughout Scripture.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note one significant textual feature: in Numbers 9:10, the Hebrew word rechokah ('distant') is marked with puncta extraordinaria, dots above and below the letters. Keil and Delitzsch explain that these 'suspicious points' likely indicate the Masoretes questioned the accuracy of the reading, since the same modifier is absent in verse 13 when the phrase recurs. The Rabbis debated whether 'distant' was original or an explanatory gloss. Despite this, the meaning is not seriously contested; the provision clearly applies to those who are genuinely far away. No other textual variants of consequence are reported in the standard commentaries.
Reception History
In Jewish tradition, Numbers 9:6-14 gave rise to Pesach Sheni (the Second Passover), observed on the fourteenth of Iyar as a minor festival. It remains a day when those who missed the first Passover may fulfill the obligation, and it carries an atmosphere of second chances. Christian reception has often seen this passage typologically: as the first Passover points to Christ's sacrifice (1 Corinthians 5:7), so the second Passover suggests that those excluded by sin can still come through Christ, the true Lamb who takes away uncleanness. The provision for the foreigner has been cited as an Old Testament precedent for including Gentiles in the covenant community. The passage has also been used in pastoral theology to address cases where believers are prevented from participating in the Lord's Supper due to circumstances beyond their control, affirming God's mercy toward the sincere heart.
Preaching This Verse
Three-Point Outline
- The dilemma of the sincere but hindered. These men wanted to obey, but circumstance, even a sacred duty like burying the dead, made them unable to participate. The law appeared to contradict itself. Moses did not dismiss their concern or offer a personal opinion; he waited on God.
- God's provision within his own law. The second Passover shows that God's commands are not traps. He provides a way for those who are hindered by legitimate causes to still honor him. The provision is not a relaxation of standards, the same statutes apply, but a gracious accommodation.
- The seriousness of willful neglect. The man who is clean and not on a journey yet forbears to keep the Passover 'shall be cut off from his people.' Grace does not cancel obligation. The very provision that helps the sincere condemns the negligent.
Five-Point Outline
- The occasion: men defiled by a corpse come to Moses (vv. 6-7)
- The inquiry: Moses waits for God's word (v. 8)
- The provision: a second Passover for those with valid hindrances (vv. 9-12)
- The warning: willful neglect brings cutting off (v. 13)
- The inclusion: one statute for native and foreigner (v. 14)
Illustration Hooks
- The parent in quarantine. A mother wants to attend her child's baptism but is sick with a contagious illness. She feels torn between duty to the community and duty to not spread infection. The passage invites her to trust that God sees the heart and provides other means of grace.
- The traveler delayed. A Christian away on work suddenly cannot get back for a major church event. Is that an excuse or a real hindrance? The passage gives a framework: the honest inability to participate is not the same as neglect.
- The new believer from a different background. A foreigner in the church may not know all the traditions. The passage affirms that the same grace and same standards apply; full inclusion is possible.
Questions Your Congregation Is Asking
- What counts as a 'valid reason' for missing worship or communion? Does God distinguish between unavoidable circumstances and simple convenience?
- If I have missed a major spiritual observance, is there a 'second chance' or a make-up opportunity?
- How do I know when I should 'wait on God' for guidance versus acting on what I already know?
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows how God resolves a conflict between two clear commands: 'keep the Passover' and 'do not draw near when unclean.' The leaders of Israel did not try to solve the tension on their own; they brought the case to God. What emerges is a provision that upholds both holiness and mercy.
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think the men approached Moses and Aaron directly? What does that suggest about their spiritual concern?
- Moses said 'Stand still, and I will hear what Yahweh will command.' Why is waiting on God sometimes harder than making a quick decision?
- What does the second Passover teach about God's willingness to accommodate human limitations without lowering his standards?
- Verse 12 insists that even the delayed Passover must be kept 'according to all the statute.' Why is it important that the provision does not relax the rules?
- The penalty for willful neglect is being 'cut off from his people.' How should we understand this in light of the mercy shown to the unclean?
- Verse 14 includes the foreigner, 'one statute both for the foreigner and for him who is born in the land.' What does this say about the scope of God's covenant community?
- When have you faced a situation where two good duties seemed to conflict? How did you seek God's guidance?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Exodus 18:15 | Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. |
| Exodus 18:19 | Listen now to my voice. I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You represent the people before God, and bring the causes to God. |
| Exodus 18:26 | They judged the people at all times. They brought the hard cases to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. |
| Leviticus 21:11 | He must not go in to any dead body, or defile himself for his father or for his mother. |
| Leviticus 24:11 | The son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the Name, and cursed; and they brought him to Moses. His mother’s name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan. |
| Numbers 5:2 | “Command the children of Israel that they put out of the camp every leper, everyone who has a discharge, and whoever is unclean by a corpse. |
| Numbers 6:6 | “‘All the days that he separates himself to Yahweh he shall not go near a dead body. |
| Numbers 6:7 | He shall not make himself unclean for his father, or for his mother, for his brother, or for his sister, when they die, because his separation to God is on his head. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke observes that the defilement from assisting at a burial, a necessary and merciful task, led to the provision for a second Passover celebration. He typologically applies this to Christ, our Passover: those who fail to partake of his sacrifice, whether at the proper time or later, will be cut off from God's people and bear their sin.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes identifies the "little Passover" as a practical provision for those unable to keep the proper feast. He notes it lasted only one day and did not require removing leaven from houses, focusing strictly on the Passover lamb itself.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin highlights Moses' restraint in not presuming to settle the problem of defiled men missing the Passover without first inquiring of God. This shows the lawgiver's humility and that the law was not his own invention. God resolved the conflict by granting a special second-month observance for those unavoidably hindered.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible notes that the provision for missing the Passover due to uncleanness or a journey was intended to be exhaustive and later extended to all valid reasons. It also carefully distinguishes a sojourner, who may eat the Passover, from a foreigner, who may not.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes emphasize that God made a compassionate provision for those hindered by unavoidable uncleanness or travel, granting them a second chance to keep the Passover. This grace, however, did not excuse the willfully negligent: such a person was cut off for despising God's ordinance. The same law applied equally to native Israelites and resident strangers.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill emphasizes that Moses did not presume to decide this unprecedented case himself but waited to hear from the Lord. The men's distress at being excluded from the Passover showed their genuine devotion, prompting God to grant a delayed observance for those unavoidably unclean or far away. This provision still carried the same strict requirements as the first Passover.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB identifies the defiled men with those who carried the bodies of Nadab and Abihu, a Jewish tradition. Their dilemma prompted a divine command granting a second Passover observance one month later for anyone disqualified by
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil and Delitzsch stress that the permission to celebrate Passover a month later was granted strictly to uphold the nation's duty to keep the covenant meal, not to create an easy excuse. Anyone who skipped the feast without being unclean or on a journey faced being cut off. The provision came with a severe warning against indifference.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange insists the cloud over the Tabernacle did not lead Israel literally; God's word through Moses directed the march, and the cloud served as a visible sign confirming that word for the people's faith. The visible sign followed the prior command.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley observes that the law's two specific hindrances—being unclean or on a journey—are representative examples covering all similar obstacles, such as disease or other uncleanness. He also notes that the mention of "a stranger" refers to a proselyte, a convert to the faith.