Numbers 9:7 - Exposition

Wherefore are we kept back. The direction to remove from the camp all that were defiled by the dead ( Numbers 5:2 ) had not apparently been given at this time, nor was there any express command that such should not partake of the passover, for Le Numbers 7:20 may probably refer only to such uncleannesses as are mentioned in Le Numbers 15:3 ; but that men were in fact considered as defiled by contact with the dead is clear from Le Numbers 21:1 . The men, therefore, had reason for asking why they were excommunicated, and Moses for referring the matter to the Divine decision.