Numbers 9:6

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

And there were certain men {H582}, who were defiled {H2931} by the dead body {H5315} of a man {H120}, that they could {H3201} not keep {H6213} the passover {H6453} on that day {H3117}: and they came {H7126} before {H6440} Moses {H4872} and before {H6440} Aaron {H175} on that day {H3117}:

Complete Jewish Bible

But there were certain people who had become unclean because of someone's corpse, so that they could not observe Pesach on that day. So they came before Moshe and Aharon that day

Berean Standard Bible

But 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

American Standard Version

And 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:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 9:6 introduces a unique dilemma faced by certain Israelite men who, having become ritually unclean through contact with a dead body, were unable to participate in the Passover celebration at its appointed time. This verse highlights the strict requirements for ritual purity under the Mosaic Law for engaging in sacred observances, while simultaneously setting the stage for a divine revelation that would provide a compassionate solution for those genuinely hindered from fulfilling God's commands. Their proactive approach in bringing their predicament before Moses and Aaron underscores a deep desire to obey God despite their challenging circumstances.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 9:6 is situated within a broader narrative detailing the organization and laws pertaining to Israel's encampment and journey from Mount Sinai. The preceding verses ([Numbers 9:1-5](/numbers/9-1-5 "Numbers 9:1-5 - The First Passover in the Wilderness")) explicitly detail the Lord's command for the Israelites to observe the Passover in its appointed time, marking the first anniversary of their departure from Egypt. This immediate command sets up the problem presented in verse 6, where the defiled men cannot comply. The subsequent verses ([Numbers 9:7-14](/numbers/9/7-14 "Numbers 9:7-14 - Provision for a Second Passover")) then record Moses bringing their case before the Lord, leading to God's compassionate provision for a "second Passover" for those legitimately unable to keep the first. This specific incident thus serves as a pivotal narrative, demonstrating the dynamic interplay between divine law, human limitation, and God's merciful accommodation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is approximately one year after the Exodus from Egypt, with the Israelites encamped at Mount Sinai, where they received the Mosaic Law. Central to this Law was the concept of ritual purity, essential for approaching a holy God and participating in the sacred cultic life. Contact with a dead body was considered a significant source of ritual defilement, as detailed in various Mosaic statutes, notably [Numbers 19:11-16](/numbers/19-11-16 "Numbers 19:11-16 - Laws Concerning Contact with the Dead") and [Leviticus 21:1-4](/leviticus/21-1-4 "Leviticus 21:1-4 - Laws for Priests Regarding Defilement"). Such defilement rendered an individual temporarily unable to partake in holy observances like the Passover, a foundational feast commemorating God's deliverance of Israel from bondage in Egypt ([Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The First Passover")). The men's action of seeking counsel from Moses and Aaron reflects the established system of mediation and legal interpretation within the Israelite community, acknowledging their divinely appointed roles in administering God's law.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Defiled (Hebrew, _ṭāmē'_)**: This term signifies a state of ritual impurity or uncleanness. In the Old Testament, "defilement" was not necessarily a moral failing or sin, but a ceremonial condition that rendered a person unfit for participation in sacred acts or proximity to holy things. Contact with a dead body was one of the most potent sources of such defilement, symbolizing the antithesis of life and holiness. The state was temporary and required specific rituals for purification.
* **Passover (Hebrew, _Pesach_)**: Derived from the verb "to pass over," this annual feast commemorates the tenth and final plague in Egypt, where the angel of death "passed over" the homes of the Israelites marked with the blood of a lamb, sparing their firstborn. It was the foundational act of redemption for Israel, establishing their identity as God's delivered people. Participation was mandatory for all clean Israelites, signifying their inclusion in the covenant community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And there were certain men, who were defiled by the dead body of a man,"**: This introduces the subjects of the narrative—unnamed individuals who had inadvertently or necessarily come into contact with a corpse. This contact, according to Mosaic law, rendered them ritually unclean, highlighting a tension between the practical realities of life and the strict demands of ceremonial purity.
* **"that they could not keep the passover on that day:"**: The consequence of their defilement is explicitly stated: they were barred from participating in the Passover celebration scheduled for that specific day. This underscores the severity of ritual impurity and its direct impact on one's ability to engage in the most sacred communal worship. Their inability was not a choice but a legal impediment.
* **"and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day:"**: Instead of simply neglecting the command, these men actively sought resolution from the divinely appointed leaders. This demonstrates a commendable earnestness to fulfill God's command and a recognition of the authority of Moses and Aaron as interpreters of the Law and mediators with God. Their initiative sets the stage for a divine intervention and a clarification of the Law.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative in Numbers 9:6 employs several literary devices. There is clear **Problem-Solution Narrative**, where the men's defilement presents a direct conflict with the Passover command, leading to their appeal and ultimately God's solution in the subsequent verses. This also highlights **Dramatic Irony** or **Situational Irony**: the very desire of these men to obey God's command (to keep the Passover) is precisely what brings them into conflict with another of God's commands (ritual purity). Their piety, in a sense, creates their predicament. The passage also uses **Foreshadowing** by subtly hinting at the limitations of the Old Covenant law, which, despite its divine origin, could not always accommodate the complexities of human life without further divine intervention. This foreshadows a greater grace and flexibility that would be fully revealed in the new covenant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 9:6 profoundly illustrates the tension between divine command and human limitation, revealing God's character as both holy and compassionate. It underscores the absolute necessity of purity for fellowship with God under the Old Covenant, where defilement, even if unintentional, created a barrier to participation in sacred rites. However, the men's earnest desire to obey, coupled with their proactive seeking of guidance, prompts God to reveal a new facet of His grace: a provision for those genuinely hindered. This narrative sets a precedent for divine accommodation, demonstrating that God desires obedience from the heart and will provide a way for His people to fulfill His will when legitimate obstacles arise, rather than condemning them for circumstances beyond their control. This incident thus becomes a powerful testament to God's mercy and His willingness to meet His people where they are, ensuring that the path to fellowship remains open.

* [Leviticus 4:27-31](/leviticus/4-27-31 "Leviticus 4:27-31 - Sin Offering for Unintentional Sin")
* [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")
* [Matthew 12:7](/matthew/12-7 "Matthew 12:7 - Mercy, Not Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 9:6 offers profound lessons for believers today. Firstly, it reminds us of the importance of seeking God's will and guidance when faced with dilemmas or circumstances that prevent us from fulfilling our spiritual duties. The men in this passage did not simply give up or assume their situation was hopeless; they actively brought their problem before God's representatives. This models a proactive faith that trusts God to provide clarity and a way forward, even when the path is unclear or seemingly blocked by legitimate obstacles. Secondly, this narrative beautifully illustrates God's compassionate nature. Just as He provided a solution for these men through the "second Passover," God often makes a way for us when genuine hindrances arise, demonstrating His grace and desire for us to remain in fellowship with Him. This encourages us to approach God with our limitations and questions, trusting in His mercy to provide for our weaknesses and to enable our continued walk of faith, even when life's complexities seem to hinder our spiritual aspirations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When faced with obstacles to spiritual disciplines or obedience, do I proactively seek God's guidance and wisdom, or do I tend to give up?**
* **How does the compassion of God shown in this passage encourage me in my own struggles with sin or perceived shortcomings in my spiritual life?**
* **In what ways might I be "defiled" by the "dead things" of this world (e.g., sin, worldly anxieties, distractions) that hinder my full participation in God's kingdom work, and how can I seek cleansing?**

### FAQ

**Why was contact with a dead body considered defiling in the Old Testament?**
Answer: Contact with a dead body was considered defiling because it represented the antithesis of life, which is intimately associated with God's holiness and presence. In the Old Testament worldview, death was the result of sin and symbolized separation from God, the source of all life. Therefore, anything associated with death, including a corpse, rendered a person ritually unclean and temporarily unfit to participate in the holy worship of a living God. This was a ceremonial, not necessarily a moral, impurity, requiring specific purification rituals to restore one to a state of ritual cleanness, as detailed in [Numbers 19](/numbers/19 "Numbers 19 - The Red Heifer and Purification Laws").

**What was the "second Passover" and who was it for?**
Answer: The "second Passover" (Hebrew: _Pesach Sheni_) was a special provision instituted by God in [Numbers 9:9-14](/numbers/9-9-14 "Numbers 9:9-14 - The Law of the Second Passover"). It allowed individuals who were ritually unclean due to contact with a dead body, or who were on a distant journey, to observe the Passover one month later, on the fourteenth day of the second month. This divine accommodation ensured that all Israelites who genuinely desired to obey God's command, but were legitimately hindered by circumstances, would still have the opportunity to participate in this foundational feast.

**Does the concept of ritual defilement by a dead body apply to Christians today?**
Answer: While the specific ritual laws concerning defilement by a dead body are part of the Old Covenant ceremonial law and are not directly binding on New Covenant believers, the underlying principle of holiness and separation from that which is spiritually "dead" remains relevant. In Christ, believers are made spiritually clean through His sacrifice ([Hebrews 9:13-14](/hebrews/9-13-14 "Hebrews 9:13-14 - The Blood of Christ Purifies")). However, we are called to live lives of holiness, avoiding spiritual defilement from sin and the "dead works" of the world ([Hebrews 6:1](/hebrews/6-1 "Hebrews 6:1 - Repentance from Dead Works")). The New Testament emphasizes internal purity of heart and conscience over external ritual purity ([Mark 7:14-23](/mark/7-14-23 "Mark 7:14-23 - What Defiles a Person")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 9:6, with its narrative of defilement, exclusion, and divine provision, powerfully foreshadows the work of Jesus Christ. The men's inability to partake in the Passover due to their defilement by death highlights the ultimate barrier between humanity and a holy God: sin, which is spiritual death. Just as contact with a corpse rendered one unclean, so too does sin defile the human heart and separate us from God's presence, making true fellowship impossible ([Isaiah 59:2](/isaiah/59-2 "Isaiah 59:2 - Your Sins Have Separated You")). However, in Christ, we find the ultimate "second Passover" provision. 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"), our Passover sacrifice ([1 Corinthians 5:7](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Christ, Our Passover Lamb")), whose death on the cross cleanses us from all defilement, not merely ceremonial uncleanness but the deep-seated impurity of sin itself ([Hebrews 9:13-14](/hebrews/9-13-14 "Hebrews 9:13-14 - The Blood of Christ Purifies")). Through His perfect sacrifice, those who were once "dead in trespasses and sins" ([Ephesians 2:1](/ephesians/2-1 "Ephesians 2:1 - Dead in Sin, Made Alive in Christ")) are made alive and granted access to God's presence, not by ritual purification but by His shed blood and resurrection power ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Access Through Christ's Blood")). He accommodates our every weakness and failure, ensuring that no genuine hindrance can ultimately separate us from His love and the opportunity for eternal fellowship.

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

Numbers 27:2

And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, [by] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,

Exodus 18:15

And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:

Numbers 19:16

And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.

Numbers 5:2

Command the children of Israel, that they put out of the camp every leper, and every one that hath an issue, and whosoever is defiled by the dead:

Numbers 19:11

¶ He that toucheth the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days.

John 18:28

¶ Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.

Numbers 19:18

And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip [it] in the water, and sprinkle [it] upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave: