Numbers 9:14

KJV

And 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And if a stranger {H1616} shall sojourn {H1481} among you, and will keep {H6213} the passover {H6453} unto the LORD {H3068}; according to the ordinance {H2708} of the passover {H6453}, and according to the manner {H4941} thereof, so shall he do {H6213}: ye shall have one {H259} ordinance {H2708}, both for the stranger {H1616}, and for him that was born {H249} in the land {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If a foreigner is staying with you and wants to observe Pesach for ADONAI, he is to do it according to the regulations and rules of Pesach- you are to have the same law for the foreigner as for the citizen of the land.'"

Berean Standard Bible

If 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.’”

American Standard Version

And 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 9:14 stands as a profound declaration of God's inclusive nature within the Old Covenant, extending the sacred and foundational ordinance of the Passover to the "stranger" or resident alien (Hebrew: *ger*) who chose to dwell among the Israelites. This verse mandates a single, unvarying standard for Passover observance, asserting that both the native-born Israelite and the sojourner are bound by the exact same divine decree and manner of keeping the feast. It underscores a core theological principle: participation in God's redemptive acts and covenant blessings is contingent not on ethnic origin, but on obedient adherence to His revealed will, foreshadowing a broader, universal scope of salvation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 9:14 concludes a specific section (Numbers 9:1-14) that reiterates and clarifies the Passover ordinance, first given in [Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The First Passover"). The chapter begins with the Lord instructing Moses to command the Israelites to keep the Passover at its appointed time in the second year after their departure from Egypt (Numbers 9:1-5). The narrative then addresses a particular dilemma: what should be done for individuals who were ceremonially unclean or on a journey and thus unable to observe the Passover at the prescribed time? The Lord provides a gracious provision, allowing for a "second Passover" a month later (Numbers 9:6-13). It is against this backdrop of meticulous instruction regarding the Passover's timing and conditions that verse 14 broadens the scope of its application, explicitly including the *ger* (stranger), thereby emphasizing the universality of its requirements for all who would participate.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for Numbers 9:14 is the wilderness encampment at Sinai, where Israel is being organized as a nation under God's covenant law. In ancient Near Eastern societies, the status of foreigners varied widely, often placing them in a vulnerable position. However, within the Mosaic Law, the "stranger" or *ger* (a resident alien who had chosen to live permanently or semi-permanently among the Israelites) was a recognized social and legal category. Unlike a transient visitor (*'oreach*) or an enemy (*nokri*), the *ger* was afforded specific protections and rights, including access to justice, charity, and participation in certain religious festivals, provided they adhered to the covenant's stipulations. This inclusion of the *ger* in the Passover, the foundational commemoration of Israel's deliverance and covenant identity, was revolutionary. It demonstrated God's unique concern for the marginalized and established a principle of spiritual equality before the law that transcended ethnic boundaries, setting Israel apart from surrounding nations that often excluded foreigners from their religious rites.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Stranger (Hebrew, _ger'_):** This term refers to a resident alien or sojourner, someone who has left their native land to live among the Israelites. The *ger* was not merely a transient visitor but an individual who had chosen to integrate into Israelite society, often implying a degree of commitment to their way of life and potentially to Yahweh. The law frequently provided specific protections and responsibilities for the *ger*, reflecting God's heart for those outside the immediate covenant community, as seen in [Leviticus 19:34](/leviticus/19-34 "Leviticus 19:34 - Love the Sojourner").
* **Ordinance (Hebrew, _chuqqah'_):** This word denotes a fixed statute, an unchangeable decree, or an established custom. Its usage here emphasizes the non-negotiable, authoritative, and perpetual nature of God's commands regarding the Passover. The repetition of "ordinance" and "manner thereof" underscores the precision and uniformity required in its observance.
* **Passover (Hebrew, _pesach'_):** The central redemptive event in Israel's history, commemorating their deliverance from bondage in Egypt through the blood of the lamb. By extending the privilege and responsibility of observing this foundational feast to the *ger*, God underscored that identification with His redemptive act and covenant relationship was open to all who would commit to His laws, regardless of their birth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if a stranger shall sojourn among you":** This clause highlights the condition for inclusion. The "stranger" (*ger*) is not a casual visitor but one who has chosen to reside within the Israelite community, implying a degree of integration and a willingness to live under its laws and customs.
* **"and will keep the passover unto the LORD":** This is a volitional act. The *ger* must *desire* to observe the Passover, demonstrating a conscious decision to identify with Yahweh and His redemptive work for Israel. This willingness is a prerequisite for participation in such a sacred covenant meal.
* **"according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do":** This phrase emphasizes the absolute uniformity required. There is no special, diluted, or simplified version of the Passover for the *ger*. They must adhere to every single detail, every ritual, and every requirement as meticulously as the native-born Israelite. This underlines the seriousness and sanctity of the ordinance.
* **"ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land":** This concluding declaration is the theological crux of the verse. It asserts the principle of spiritual equality before God's law. For this central act of worship and covenant remembrance, there is no distinction based on ethnicity or birthright; all who choose to participate must do so under the same divine standard.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 9:14 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Repetition** of the word "ordinance" (Hebrew: *chuqqah*) and the phrase "according to the manner thereof" serves to underscore the unyielding and uniform nature of God's commands. This emphasis reinforces the idea that there is no deviation permitted, highlighting the divine authority behind the law. The verse also functions as a **legal stipulation**, using an "if...then" structure ("And if a stranger... so shall he do") characteristic of Mosaic legal texts, which clearly outlines the conditions and consequences of adherence. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **juxtaposition** by placing "the stranger" and "him that was born in the land" side-by-side, explicitly stating that the same law applies to both, thereby emphasizing the radical inclusivity and equality inherent in God's covenant requirements. Finally, the Passover itself functions as a powerful **symbolism** of redemption and covenant, and its extension to the *ger* expands the symbolic reach of God's saving acts beyond ethnic Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 9:14 reveals a profound aspect of God's character: His desire for universal worship and His impartiality in demanding obedience. While the Old Covenant was primarily established with Israel, this verse demonstrates that God's redemptive plan was never exclusively confined to one ethnic group. It showcases a divine principle of inclusion, where those from outside the covenant community could, through a conscious act of identification and obedience, participate in its most sacred rites. This foreshadows the New Testament revelation of a salvation that transcends ethnic and national boundaries, open to all who come to God on His terms. The "one ordinance" principle highlights that while God's grace is inclusive, it is not permissive; participation in His blessings always requires adherence to His holy standards.

* [Numbers 15:15-16](/numbers/15-15 "Numbers 15:15-16 - One Law for the Assembly")
* [Deuteronomy 10:18-19](/deuteronomy/10-18 "Deuteronomy 10:18-19 - God's Love for the Sojourner")
* [Isaiah 56:6-7](/isaiah/56-6 "Isaiah 56:6-7 - Foreigners Joining the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 9:14 provides a timeless blueprint for the Church, the new covenant community. It challenges us to cultivate a radical inclusivity, ensuring that our faith communities are truly welcoming spaces for all who seek to follow the Lord, regardless of their background, ethnicity, or past. Just as the *ger* was invited to participate fully in the Passover, so too are all people invited to partake in the spiritual feast of Christ's redemption. However, this verse also serves as a crucial reminder that while God's invitation is broad, His standards are unwavering. There is "one ordinance" for all; the requirements of faith, repentance, obedience, and commitment to Christ's teachings are the same for every believer. This calls us to both extend genuine hospitality and uphold biblical truth with integrity, ensuring that our welcome does not compromise the sanctity and transformative demands of discipleship. It prompts us to consider how we can better embody both the expansive heart of God for all peoples and the unwavering holiness of His call.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Numbers 9:14 challenge our contemporary understanding of "insiders" and "outsiders" within the Christian faith community?**
* **In what practical ways can our local churches better embody the "one ordinance" principle, ensuring both genuine welcome and consistent adherence to biblical standards for all who desire to follow Christ?**
* **What does it mean for us today to "keep the Passover" (i.e., participate in Christ's redemptive work and the Lord's Supper) with the same seriousness and commitment as the native-born Israelite, and how does this apply to those who are "strangers" to the faith seeking to join?**

### FAQ
**What is a "stranger" in the context of Numbers 9:14?**

Answer: In this context, the "stranger" refers to a *ger*, a Hebrew term for a resident alien or sojourner. This was not a casual visitor passing through, nor an enemy, but someone who had chosen to leave their native land and reside permanently or semi-permanently within the Israelite community. The *ger* was distinct from the native-born Israelite but was expected to abide by many of Israel's laws and customs, including, as Numbers 9:14 explicitly states, the sacred observance of the Passover if they desired to participate. This willingness to "sojourn among you" and "keep the passover unto the LORD" indicated a significant step of identification with Israel's God and its way of life.

**Why was it important for strangers to keep the Passover according to the same ordinance as the native-born?**

Answer: The Passover was the foundational commemorative event for Israel, marking their deliverance from slavery in Egypt by the mighty hand of God. By mandating that the *ger* observe the Passover "according to the ordinance... and according to the manner thereof," God underscored several crucial principles. Firstly, it demonstrated the universal reach of God's redemptive work and His desire for all who would identify with Him to participate in His covenant blessings. Secondly, it emphasized the unity of the community before God; there was no diluted or separate standard for non-Israelites, highlighting that access to God's grace came with the same commitment to His holiness and obedience to His commands. This "one ordinance" principle ensured that all who partook in this sacred meal shared a common experience and commitment, fostering a unified people under God's singular law, as reiterated in [Numbers 15:15-16](/numbers/15-15 "Numbers 15:15-16 - One Law for All").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 9:14, with its radical inclusivity of the "stranger" in the Passover, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Passover, which commemorated Israel's deliverance through the blood of the lamb, perfectly foreshadows Christ, who is our ultimate [Passover Lamb](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Christ Our Passover Lamb"), whose shed blood delivers humanity from the bondage of sin and death. Just as the *ger* was welcomed into the Old Covenant's central redemptive meal upon adherence to its ordinance, so too are Gentiles (the "strangers" to God's original covenant people) welcomed into the New Covenant through faith in Christ. In Him, the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile has been broken down, making both "one new man" (cf. [Ephesians 2:11-22](/ephesians/2-11 "Ephesians 2:11-22 - Gentiles Brought Near by Christ")). There is no longer "Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Jew or Gentile in Christ")). The "one ordinance" principle of Numbers 9:14 is perfectly realized in the New Covenant: all who come to Christ, regardless of their background, are saved by the same grace, through the same faith, and are called to live by the same Spirit-empowered obedience, becoming fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household ([Ephesians 2:19](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints")). In Christ, the inclusive heart of God, hinted at in the wilderness, is fully revealed, embracing all nations into His one, unified family.

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

Exodus 12:48

And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.

Exodus 12:49

One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.

Leviticus 24:22

Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I [am] the LORD your God.

Ephesians 2:19

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Ephesians 2:22

In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Isaiah 56:3

¶ Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I [am] a dry tree.

Isaiah 56:7

Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices [shall be] accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.