Numbers 9:2-14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 9:1-14

Here we have, I. An order given for the solemnization of the passover, the day twelvemonth after they came out of Egypt, on the fourteenth day of the first month of the second year, some days before they were numbered, for that was done in the beginning of the second month. Observe, 1. God gave particular orders for the keeping of this passover, otherwise (it should seem) they would not have kept it, for, in the first institution of this ordinance, it was appointed to be kept when they should... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 9:2

Let the children of Israel also keep the passover ,.... Though this ordinance was enjoined the people of Israel, and observed by them at the time of their coming out of Egypt, and had been since repeated, Leviticus 23:5 ; yet without a fresh precept, or an explanation of the former, they seemed not to be obliged, or might not be sensible that they were obliged to keep it, until they came into the land of Canaan, Exodus 12:25 ; and therefore a new order is given them to observe it: at... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 9:3

In the fourteenth day of this month ,.... The first month, the month Nisan or Abib, answering to part of our March: at even ye shall keep it, in his appointed season : between the two evenings, Exodus 12:6 ; and even if it fall on the sabbath day, as Jarchi; and this was a sabbath day, according to the Jewish writers F25 Seder Olam Rabba. c. 7. : according to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof shall ye keep it ; the former of these, according to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 9:4

And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, that they should keep the passover. The time now drawing nigh for the observation of it, it being now almost a year since their coming out of Egypt. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 9:5

And they kept the passover on the fourteenth, day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai ,.... No mention is made of keeping the feast of unleavened bread seven days, only of the passover, which indeed was only enjoined at this time, though the feast of unleavened bread used to follow it, and did in later times; but perhaps it would not have been an easy matter to have got the flour to make it of, sufficient for so large a body of people, for seven days together in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 9:6

And there were certain men who were defiled by the dead body of a man ,.... The Targum of Jonathan adds,"who died by them suddenly,'whereby pollution was contracted, see Numbers 6:9 ; though perhaps this was a whole house or family, one of which was dead, and so all were defiled, being in the place where the dead body was, or had touched it, or been concerned however in the burying of it, and on account of which were unclean seven days, and so might not eat of any holy things, as the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 9:7

And those men said unto him ,.... To Moses, who was the chief magistrate, though Aaron was the high priest. Jarchi says, they were both sitting together when the men came, and put the question to them, but it was not proper to speak to one after another; for if Moses knew not, how should Aaron know? says he; the more difficult matters were brought to Moses, and he gave answers to them: we are defiled by the dead body of a man ; they had touched it, or had been where it was, or at the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 9:8

And Moses said unto them, stand still ,.... Where they were; Aben Ezra says, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and I will hear what the Lord will command concerning you ; as it was a singular case, of which there had been no instance before, Moses would not determine anything about it himself, but would inquire of the Lord his mind and will concerning it; and for that purpose, very probably, went into the most holy place, where the Lord had promised to meet him and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 9:9

And the Lord spake unto Moses ,.... From between the cherubim, after he had laid the case before him, and he gave him an answer: saying ; as follows. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 9:10

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying ,.... Not to the men only that came to Moses for advice, but to the body of the people; for the answer of the Lord concerned them all, and carried in it a rule to be observed in the like case, and others mentioned, in all succeeding ages, as long as the passover was an ordinance of God: if any man of you ; or "a man, a man", or any private man; for, according to the Jewish writers, this law only respects private persons, as those were who were... read more

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