Numbers 9:3

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

In the fourteenth {H702}{H6240} day {H3117} of this month {H2320}, at even {H6153}, ye shall keep {H6213} it in his appointed season {H4150}: according to all the rites {H2708} of it, and according to all the ceremonies {H4941} thereof, shall ye keep {H6213} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

On the fourteenth day of this month, at dusk, you are to observe it - at its designated time. You are to observe it according to all its regulations and rules."

Berean Standard Bible

You are to observe it at the appointed time, at twilight on the fourteenth day of this month, in accordance with its statutes and ordinances.”

American Standard Version

In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, ye shall keep it in its appointed season: according to all the statutes of it, and according to all the ordinances thereof, shall ye keep it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 9:3 details God's command for the Israelites to observe the Passover in the wilderness of Sinai exactly one year after their exodus from Egypt. This verse emphasizes the precise timing ("the fourteenth day of this month, at even") and the mandatory adherence to all prescribed "rites" and "ceremonies," underscoring the perpetual nature and divine authority of this foundational feast commemorating their deliverance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 9:3 is part of a significant interruption in the chronological narrative of the book of Numbers. While the preceding chapters (Numbers 1-8) detail the census, tribal organization, and purification rituals in preparation for Israel's departure from Sinai, Numbers 9:1 explicitly states that the command for this Passover observance was given in the "first month of the second year" after the Exodus. This places it chronologically *before* the events of Numbers 1:1, which begin in the "first day of the second month." This "flashback" highlights the paramount importance of the Passover as a foundational ordinance, even amidst the practical preparations for the wilderness journey. The broader passage (Numbers 9:1-14) also includes provisions for those who were unclean or on a journey, allowing for a "second Passover" a month later, demonstrating God's mercy while upholding the principle of observance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The command in Numbers 9:3 occurs approximately one year after the Israelites' miraculous deliverance from slavery in Egypt, as they are encamped at Mount Sinai. This marks the first observance of the Passover *since* the original event in Egypt (recorded in [Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Institution of the Passover")), establishing it as a perpetual, annual ordinance for all generations. The wilderness setting underscores the fact that even in challenging and transient circumstances, God's covenant commands were to be meticulously followed. The Passover was not merely a historical commemoration but a re-enactment of God's redemptive power and a reaffirmation of Israel's identity as His chosen people, bound by covenant. The specific timing ("the fourteenth day of this month, at even") was critical, aligning with the original event and emphasizing the divine precision required for all aspects of worship and obedience, a theme prevalent throughout the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Leviticus 23](/leviticus/23 "Leviticus 23 - The Feasts of the Lord")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Appointed Season (Hebrew, _mo'ed_):** This term (מוֹעֵד) signifies a fixed or appointed time, a set assembly, or a sacred festival. It emphasizes that the Passover was not an arbitrary or flexible observance but part of God's divinely ordained calendar and plan for His people to gather and worship Him. The timing was as crucial as the act itself.
* **Rites (Hebrew, _chuqqim_):** Derived from a root meaning "to engrave" or "to decree," this word (חֻקִּים) refers to statutes, decrees, or ordinances. It implies laws that are fixed, unalterable, and binding, often pertaining to the ceremonial or ritualistic aspects of worship. These were the specific, non-negotiable laws governing the Passover's execution.
* **Ceremonies (Hebrew, _mishpatim_):** This term (מִשְׁפָּטִים) refers to judgments, regulations, or customary laws. While often used in a legal sense, here it refers to the detailed procedural aspects and customs associated with the Passover observance, ensuring that every practical detail was carried out according to divine instruction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In the fourteenth day of this month, at even":** This clause precisely defines the timing of the Passover. "This month" refers to the first month of the sacred calendar (Nisan), which marked the anniversary of the Exodus. "At even" (Hebrew: *ben ha'arbayim*) literally means "between the two evenings," typically understood as the twilight period between sunset and full darkness, or between the decline of the sun and its setting. This specificity underscores God's meticulousness and the sacredness of the appointed time.
* **"ye shall keep it in his appointed season":** This is a direct, imperative command. "Ye shall keep it" highlights the mandatory nature of the observance, while "in his appointed season" reiterates that it must be done at the divinely designated time, not at human convenience. It emphasizes the obedience required to God's established calendar.
* **"according to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof, shall ye keep it":** This comprehensive phrase stresses the totality of the required obedience. It means that not only the timing but also every single detail, every prescribed ritual, and every customary practice associated with the Passover was to be meticulously followed. The repetition of "shall ye keep it" at the end of the verse serves as a powerful reinforcement of the absolute and non-negotiable nature of this divine command.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Repetition** and **Emphasis** to underscore its central message. The phrase "shall ye keep it" appears twice, at the beginning and end of the command concerning the manner of observance. This **repetition** serves as a strong rhetorical device, hammering home the mandatory and non-negotiable nature of the Passover observance. Furthermore, the detailed specification of both time ("fourteenth day... at even, in his appointed season") and manner ("according to all the rites... and all the ceremonies thereof") creates a profound **emphasis** on precision and thoroughness in obedience. This hyper-specificity highlights the divine authority behind the command and the solemnity with which it is to be observed, leaving no room for human alteration or casual adherence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 9:3 profoundly underscores God's sovereignty over time and His expectation of precise obedience from His covenant people. The establishment of the Passover as a perpetual ordinance, to be observed "in his appointed season" and "according to all the rites... and all the ceremonies," reveals a God who is orderly, purposeful, and meticulous in His instructions for worship and life. This command instills a pattern of remembrance, ensuring that Israel would continually recall God's foundational act of redemption from Egypt, thereby reinforcing their identity and their covenant relationship with Him. It teaches that true worship involves not only a willing heart but also adherence to God's prescribed ways, recognizing that His commands are for our good and His glory.

* [Exodus 12:14](/exodus/12-14 "Exodus 12:14 - Passover as a Perpetual Ordinance")
* [Deuteronomy 16:1-8](/deuteronomy/16-1 "Deuteronomy 16:1-8 - Instructions for Passover")
* [Joshua 5:10-11](/joshua/5-10 "Joshua 5:10-11 - Passover in Canaan")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous instructions for the Passover in Numbers 9:3 call believers today to consider the nature of their own obedience to God. It's not enough to generally acknowledge God's commands; true reverence involves seeking to understand and follow His specific will, even in seemingly minor details. This verse challenges us to examine our spiritual disciplines, acts of worship, and daily conduct, asking if we are truly "keeping" them "according to all the rites... and all the ceremonies thereof"—that is, with intentionality, precision, and a heart devoted to God's prescribed ways. It reminds us that God's commands are not arbitrary but purposeful, designed for our good and His glory, and that faithfulness in the small things reflects a deeper commitment to Him. Our spiritual walk should be marked by a desire to align fully with God's revealed will, trusting in His perfect wisdom and His perfect timing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the emphasis on precise timing and detailed observance in Numbers 9:3 challenge your understanding of obedience to God today?**
* **In what areas of your spiritual life might you be tempted to be less precise or diligent, and what might this verse teach you about overcoming that temptation?**
* **How does remembering God's past acts of deliverance (like the Exodus) motivate you to greater faithfulness in the present?**

### FAQ
**Why was it so important for the Israelites to observe the Passover precisely at this time in the wilderness?**

Answer: The observance of Passover at this specific time in the wilderness, one year after the Exodus, served several crucial purposes. First, it reinforced the covenant God made with Israel, reminding them of their miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage, a foundational event in their national identity. Second, it established the Passover as a perpetual ordinance, demonstrating that even in the challenging conditions of the wilderness, God's commands were to be honored. It was a test of their obedience and a reaffirmation of their commitment to God's laws, setting a precedent for future generations. This act of worship in the wilderness confirmed their status as God's redeemed people, preparing them for their journey to the Promised Land, as detailed in [Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The First Passover") and [Numbers 9](/numbers/9 "Numbers 9 - The Second Passover"). It showed that God's redemptive acts and His commands transcended their physical circumstances.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous adherence to the Passover command in Numbers 9:3 finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Passover lamb, slain "in the fourteenth day of this month, at even," foreshadowed the precise timing of Christ's crucifixion, who was sacrificed at the very time the Passover lambs were being slaughtered. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose blood, unlike the blood on the doorposts, actually cleanses and redeems us from the bondage of sin and death. The "rites" and "ceremonies" of the Old Covenant Passover, with their detailed instructions, were but shadows pointing to the perfect and complete sacrifice of Christ, who fulfilled every requirement of the law (see [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Christ Fulfills the Law")). As [Paul declares](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Christ Our Passover"), "Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." Through His singular, perfect act, the need for repeated animal sacrifices and their intricate rituals was abolished, replaced by the new covenant in His blood (see [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Thus, the command to "keep it" now transforms into a call to remember and participate in the Lord's Supper, a new covenant meal that proclaims His death until He comes (see [1 Corinthians 11:23-26](/1_corinthians/11-23 "1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - Institution of the Lord's Supper")), celebrating the ultimate deliverance He secured for all who believe.

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 12:6

And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

Exodus 12:11

And thus shall ye eat it; [with] your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it [is] the LORD'S passover.

Leviticus 23:5

In the fourteenth [day] of the first month at even [is] the LORD'S passover.

Numbers 9:11

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

Numbers 9:12

They 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.

Hebrews 9:26

For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

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.