Numbers 9:11

KJV

The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, [and] eat it with unleavened bread and bitter [herbs].

KJV (with Strong's)

The fourteenth {H702}{H6240} day {H3117} of the second {H8145} month {H2320} at even {H6153} they shall keep {H6213} it, and eat {H398} it with unleavened bread {H4682} and bitter {H4844} herbs.

Complete Jewish Bible

But he will observe it in the second month on the fourteenth day at dusk. They are to eat it with matzah and maror,

Berean Standard Bible

Such 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;

American Standard Version

In the second month on the fourteenth day at even they shall keep it; they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 9:11 provides the divine directive for the "Second Passover" (Pesach Sheni), a compassionate provision allowing Israelites who were ritually defiled or on a distant journey to observe the Passover one month later than the primary celebration. This verse specifies the exact timing—the fourteenth day of the second month, at twilight—and reiterates the essential components of the meal: the eating of the lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, mirroring the original Passover requirements and underscoring God's desire for all His people to participate in His redemptive covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 9:11 is situated within a broader section (Numbers 9:1-14) that details the institution and regulations concerning the Passover in the wilderness. The chapter begins with a reminder of the initial command to keep the Passover at its appointed time in the first month ([Numbers 9:2](/numbers/9-2 "Numbers 9:2 - Command to Keep Passover")). The immediate literary trigger for this "Second Passover" provision is found in [Numbers 9:6-7](/numbers/9-6 "Numbers 9:6-7 - The Case of the Unclean Men"), where certain individuals, rendered ritually unclean by contact with a dead body or being on a journey, approached Moses and Aaron, expressing their distress at being excluded from the sacred observance. Their sincere plea for a way to participate led directly to God's merciful response, establishing the alternative date and reinforcing the original stipulations of the Passover meal. This passage highlights God's attentiveness to the genuine spiritual desires of His people and His willingness to make provisions for their inclusion within the covenant community.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Passover (Pesach) was the foundational commemorative feast for Israel, established during their liberation from Egyptian bondage, as detailed in [Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Institution of the Passover"). It served as a perpetual reminder of God's mighty act of redemption, His judgment on Egypt, and His covenant faithfulness to Israel. The strict requirements for ritual purity were paramount for participation in sacred acts, and contact with a dead body rendered one unclean for a specified period ([Numbers 19:11-16](/numbers/19-11 "Numbers 19:11-16 - Laws Concerning Contact with the Dead")). Likewise, long journeys could prevent timely return for the observance. The "Second Passover" (Pesach Sheni) demonstrates a remarkable degree of divine flexibility and compassion within the otherwise rigid framework of Mosaic law. This provision ensured that even those legitimately hindered could still partake in the central act of national remembrance and worship, reinforcing the communal nature of Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh and the importance of the Passover as a unifying, identity-shaping event.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"at even" (Hebrew, _ben ha'arbayim'_):** This precise phrase, literally meaning "between the two evenings," refers to the twilight period, specifically the time between sunset and complete darkness. In ancient Israelite practice, this was the prescribed time for the slaughter of the Passover lamb ([Exodus 12:6](/exodus/12-6 "Exodus 12:6 - Time for Slaughtering the Lamb")). Its inclusion here emphasizes that even with the delayed date, the specific ritual timing and sacred protocol of the original Passover were to be meticulously followed, underscoring the unchanging nature of divine command despite the adjusted calendar date.
* **"unleavened bread" (Hebrew, _matzot'_):** This refers to flat, unrisen bread, a central component of the Passover meal. Its symbolism is twofold: it represents the haste of Israel's departure from Egypt, as they left so quickly there was no time for their dough to rise ([Exodus 12:34](/exodus/12-34 "Exodus 12:34 - Israelites Leave Egypt Hastily")); and it also symbolizes purity and the removal of "leaven" (sin) from their lives, a theme later picked up in the New Testament. The requirement to eat matzah even in the Second Passover reinforces the core message of liberation and spiritual cleansing.
* **"bitter herbs" (Hebrew, _merorim'_):** These pungent herbs, typically horseradish or romaine lettuce, were eaten with the Passover lamb and unleavened bread. They served as a tangible and sensory reminder of the bitter and harsh slavery the Israelites endured in Egypt ([Exodus 1:14](/exodus/1-14 "Exodus 1:14 - Israel's Bitter Slavery in Egypt")). Their continued inclusion in the Second Passover ensures that the memory of suffering and God's subsequent deliverance remains central to the experience, preventing the celebration from becoming merely a ritual without a deep connection to its historical and redemptive roots.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The fourteenth day of the second month at even":** This clause precisely establishes the alternative date and time for the Second Passover. While the primary Passover was observed on the fourteenth day of the first month, this provision allows for a one-month delay, specifically maintaining the sacred "at even" (twilight) timing for the sacrificial and communal meal. This precision highlights the legalistic nature of the Mosaic covenant while simultaneously demonstrating divine flexibility.
* **"they shall keep it":** This is a direct command, emphasizing the obligation to observe the Passover. Even for those who missed the primary date due to legitimate reasons, the duty to commemorate God's deliverance was not abrogated but merely postponed. This underscores the non-negotiable importance of remembering God's redemptive acts and participating in the covenant community's rituals.
* **"and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter [herbs]":** This clause reiterates the essential components of the Passover meal, ensuring that the Second Passover is not a watered-down version but a full and proper observance. The consumption of the lamb (implied by "it," referring to the Passover offering), unleavened bread, and bitter herbs maintains the rich symbolism and historical memory of the original event, linking the delayed observance directly to the foundational act of liberation from Egypt.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 9:11, though part of a legal text, employs several literary devices to convey its meaning and significance. **Legal Precision** is evident in the exact specification of the date ("the fourteenth day of the second month") and time ("at even"), reflecting the meticulous nature of divine law and the importance of proper ritual observance. This precision ensures clarity and leaves no room for ambiguity regarding the timing of this alternative Passover. **Repetition** is subtly used by reiterating the requirement to eat "unleavened bread and bitter herbs," which are core elements of the original Passover described in [Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Institution of the Passover"). This repetition serves to emphasize that despite the altered date, the fundamental symbolic and historical meaning of the feast remains unchanged. Furthermore, the entire provision for the Second Passover can be seen as an act of **Divine Accommodation**, showcasing God's willingness to adapt His commands to human limitations and unforeseen circumstances, while still maintaining the integrity and purpose of the original command. This demonstrates God's compassionate character within the framework of His covenant demands.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 9:11 profoundly illustrates God's compassionate nature and His desire for the full inclusion of His people in covenant worship. It reveals that while God's commands are precise and holy, His grace extends to accommodate human frailty and unavoidable circumstances. The provision for a "Second Passover" underscores the theological principle that God values the sincere heart and desire for obedience over rigid adherence to a schedule when legitimate obstacles arise. It teaches that God is not an unfeeling taskmaster but a merciful Father who provides a way for His children to maintain their relationship with Him and participate in the communal remembrance of His redemptive acts, even when life's challenges intervene. This divine flexibility ensures that no one is unjustly excluded from the blessings and responsibilities of the covenant.

* [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord's Character Revealed")
* [Deuteronomy 4:29](/deuteronomy/4-29 "Deuteronomy 4:29 - Seeking God with All Your Heart")
* [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - God Desires Steadfast Love, Not Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 9:11 offers a timeless lesson about God's gracious understanding of human limitations and His desire for our sincere participation in spiritual life. It reminds us that while God calls for obedience and devotion, He also provides grace when circumstances genuinely prevent us from fulfilling our duties in the prescribed manner. This passage encourages us to approach our spiritual disciplines with a heart of earnest desire, knowing that God sees our intentions and provides pathways for us to connect with Him, even if adjustments are necessary. It challenges us to reflect on our own spiritual walk: do we allow minor obstacles to deter us from our commitment to God, or do we, like the men in Numbers 9, earnestly seek a way to remain faithful? This verse assures us that God's compassion is always available for those who genuinely seek to honor Him, providing a "second chance" when needed, not as an excuse for laxity, but as an affirmation of His unwavering love and desire for our communion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my spiritual life do I feel genuinely hindered or excluded, and how might God be offering a "second chance" or alternative path for me to engage?**
* **How does the provision of the "Second Passover" challenge my understanding of God's character, particularly His justice and mercy?**
* **What legitimate obstacles prevent me from consistent spiritual disciplines, and how can I, with God's help, find creative or alternative ways to overcome them?**
* **How can I apply the principle of God's compassionate accommodation to my relationships with others, especially when they face genuine limitations?**

### FAQ
**What is the "Second Passover" (Pesach Sheni) and why was it established?**

Answer: The "Second Passover" (Pesach Sheni) was a special provision established by God for Israelites who were unable to observe the primary Passover on the 14th day of the first month. This inability typically stemmed from ritual impurity (e.g., contact with a dead body, as seen in [Numbers 9:6](/numbers/9-6 "Numbers 9:6 - The Case of the Unclean Men")) or being on a distant journey and unable to return in time. It was established out of God's compassion and desire for all His people to participate in the central commemorative feast of their liberation from Egypt, ensuring that no one was unjustly excluded from this vital covenant observance.

**Were the requirements for the Second Passover different from the first?**

Answer: No, the requirements for the Second Passover were precisely the same as the first. Numbers 9:11 explicitly states that it was to be observed "at even" (twilight) on the fourteenth day of the second month, and the participants were to "eat it with unleavened bread and bitter [herbs]." This ensured that the profound historical and theological symbolism of the meal—commemorating hasty departure and bitter slavery, and celebrating God's deliverance—remained fully intact, despite the one-month delay in its observance.

**Does the concept of a "second chance" for religious observance apply to believers today?**

Answer: While the specific ritual of the Passover has been fulfilled in Christ, the underlying principle of God's grace and provision for those who genuinely desire to obey Him still applies. The "Second Passover" demonstrates God's understanding of human limitations and His willingness to accommodate sincere hearts. For believers today, this can mean finding alternative ways to engage in spiritual disciplines when unforeseen circumstances arise, or recognizing God's mercy when we stumble and are given opportunities for repentance and renewed commitment, emphasizing His desire for relationship over rigid legalism, as long as the heart is right ([Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - God Desires Steadfast Love, Not Sacrifice")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 9:11, with its provision for a "Second Passover," beautifully foreshadows the expansive grace and inclusive nature of God's ultimate redemption in Jesus Christ. The Passover lamb, central to both the primary and secondary observances, is ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who is "our Passover lamb" ([1 Corinthians 5:7](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Christ Our Passover Lamb")). Just as the Old Testament provision allowed those ritually unclean or hindered by journey to still partake in the covenant meal, so too does Christ's sacrifice provide a way for all—regardless of their spiritual "uncleanness" or past "journeys" of sin—to be reconciled to God. His atoning work on the cross cleanses us from all defilement, making us fit to enter God's presence ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Blood Cleanses Conscience")). The "bitter herbs" of the Old Testament Passover, reminding Israel of their slavery, find their ultimate resolution in Christ, who delivers us from the bitter bondage of sin and death ([Romans 6:22](/romans/6-22 "Romans 6:22 - Freed from Sin")). Furthermore, the divine accommodation seen in Numbers 9:11 speaks to the New Covenant's emphasis on the spirit of the law over rigid adherence to its letter, demonstrating God's desire that "none should perish but that all should reach repentance" ([2 Peter 3:9](/2_peter/3-9 "2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord's Patience")). Through Christ, the door to God's presence is always open for those who genuinely seek Him, offering not just a "second chance," but an eternal, perfect redemption.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 30:2

For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month.

2 Chronicles 30:15

Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth [day] of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD.

Numbers 9:3

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.

Exodus 12:2

This month [shall be] unto you the beginning of months: it [shall be] the first month of the year to you.

Exodus 12:14

And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

Deuteronomy 16:3

Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, [even] the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.

Exodus 12:43

¶ And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This [is] the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof: