Numbers 9:6

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:

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}:

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

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

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:

Context of Numbers 9:6

Numbers 9:6 is set during the Israelites' encampment at Mount Sinai, approximately one year after their miraculous deliverance from Egypt. The passage immediately precedes the second celebration of the Passover feast in the wilderness, a pivotal annual commemoration established by God. The Law given at Sinai emphasized strict adherence to ritual purity for participation in sacred rites. Contact with a dead body, as outlined in other Mosaic laws (Numbers 19:11), rendered a person ritually unclean and unable to partake in holy observances like the Passover.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Ritual Purity and Holiness: The verse underscores the high importance of ceremonial cleanness for approaching God and participating in His commanded feasts. Defilement, even if unintentional, created a barrier to worship.
  • Seeking Divine Guidance: Instead of simply neglecting the Passover due to their uncleanness, these men actively sought clarification and a solution from Moses and Aaron. This demonstrates a commendable desire to obey God despite their circumstances.
  • Divine Compassion and Accommodation: This incident prompts God to reveal a new provision—the "second Passover"—for those genuinely hindered by uncleanness or distance. It highlights God's mercy and willingness to provide a way for His people to fulfill His commands when legitimate obstacles arise.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "defiled" is tame' (טָמֵא), which signifies a state of ritual uncleanness or impurity. This was not necessarily a moral failing but a ceremonial status that temporarily prevented participation in holy acts. The "Passover" (Hebrew: Pesach, פֶּסַח) itself literally means "passing over," referring to the angel of death passing over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt.

Practical Application

Numbers 9:6 offers timeless 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. Rather than giving up, we are called to bring our concerns before God and His appointed leaders. Secondly, it beautifully illustrates God's compassionate nature. Just as He provided a solution for these men, 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 narrative foreshadows the grace available through Christ, who purifies us from all sin and enables our access to God.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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:
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