Numbers 9

A relation of the Passover kept in the wilderness, verse 1. Etc, and of those which could not keep the Passover on the ordinary day, by reason of their uncleanness. 6. A late ordaining what they were to do, which were gone long journeys, declaring the time when, and the manner how, 9. Punishment of those, who having no let, shall neglect it on the set time 13. A command for the strangers and Proselytes, that they were to observe the same, 14. The manner how God manifested his presence to the Israelites, 15. Withal, how they knew, when they were to journey, and where to Camp. 17.

1. And the LORD spoke to Moseh in the wilderness of Sinai, in the second year after that were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, [Others, And the LORD had spoken, etc. (and so likewise in the sequel of this Text, to verse 7.) to wit, before the numbering of the Israelites, above chapter 1. V. 1. Which happened in the second month of the second month of the second year: but this relation is now inserted after here, by reason of the unclean and travelling persons, who could not keep the Passover in the first month, and were therefore remitted to the second month. See below, v. 11.] in the first month, [called Nasan by the Hebrews, Nehem. 2. 1. Esther 3:7. And Abib. See Exod. chapter 13. On v. 4. And chapter 23. 15. And agreed for the most part with our March] saying:

2. Let the children of Israel keep the Passover [See of this word, Exod. 12. On v. 11. And Lev. 23. On v. 5.] on its set (or appointed ) time; [see Exodus 12:6.]

3. On the fourteenth day of this month between the two Evens [See concerning this expression, Exod. 12. On v. 6.] shall ye keep the same, on its set time: according to all the institutions thereof; [whereof see Exod. chapter 12. And 23. And Levit. 23. And according to all its right shall ye keep the same.

4. Moseh then spoke unto the children of Israel, that they should keep the Passover.

5. And they kept the Passover, on the fourteenth day of the first month, between the two Evens in the wilderness of Sinai, according to all that the LORD had commanded Moseh, so did the children of Israel.

6. Then there had been people [Under the Hebrew word here rendered people, properly signifying men, there are likewise women comprehended in this passage, as Genesis 39:11. 14.] which were unclean [viz. according to the Ceremonial Law, betokening the Spiritual uncleanness: understand therefore such as were unclean, for having touched a dead body, or had gone into a house, where a dead body was, or had accompanied the dead body to the grave. See Leviticus, 11. Verse 1. And 11.] over the dead of a man, [Hebrew, the soul. See Leviticus, 19. On verse 28. And so likewise, in the ensuing verse here] and had not been able to keep the Passover; [See Levit. 7. 2. Where the unclean (ones) are forbidden to eat of the thank-offerings] on the same day: [i.e. upon the ordinary appointed and set day] therefore they drew near before the face of Moseh, and before the face of Aaron, on that same day.

7. And these people said to him, we are unclean over the dead body of a man: why should we be abridged, [Or kept back, or, off] that we should not offer the sacrifice of the LORD, [understand hereby the Passover, which is so called both here and verse 13. And Exodus 12:27. Partly, because the slaying thereof was done by, and according to God’s special command, for to keep their deliverance out of Egypt in continual remembrance, and to offer God thanksgiving for it. Exodus 12:27. Partly, also because that slaying of the Passover-Lamb had been a Type and Figure, pointing at the sacrifice of our LORD Jesus Christ, 1 Cor. 5. 7.] in its set time, in the midst of the children of Israel?

8. And Moseh said to them: Abide standing, that I may hear what the LORD shall command you.

9. Then the LORD spoke unto Moseh, saying:

10. Speak unto the children of Israel saying: when any one among you, among your families shall be unclean over a dead body, or absent a great way, he shall notwithstanding keep the Passover to the LORD:

11. In the second month on the fourteenth day, between the two Evens shall they keep the same: with unleavened (bread-loaves) and bitter sauce, [Heb. bitterness] shall they eat the same. [viz. the Passover. See this manner of speaking likewise. Deuteronomy 16:7. 2 Chron. 30. 18. John 18:18. And understand thereby the Paschal-Lamb, which is called the Passover, or Passing-by, for the reasons given, Levit. 23. On verse 5. The like is to be understood of the phrase to slay the Pascha, or Pass-over, Exodus 12:21. Deuteronomy 16. 26. To cook, or, dress the Passover, Deuteronomy 16:7.]

12. They shall leave nothing of it over until the morning, and they shall break no bone thereon; according to all (or every) Institution of the Passover, shall they keep the same.

13. When a man that is clean, and is not upon the way, (or journey) and shall neglect to keep the Passover, then that soul shall be rooted out, out of her people. [See Gen. 17. On verse 14.] for he hath not offered the sacrifice of the LORD, on its set time: that same man shall bear his sin. [See Levit. 5. On v. 1.]

14. And when a stranger sojourneth with you, and he will likewise keep the Passover unto the LORD, according to the Institution of the Passover, and according to the manner of it, [See Levit. 5. On v. 10.] thus he shall keep it: there shall be one kind of Institution for you, both to the stranger and to the in-born of the land.

15. And on the day of the setting up of the Tabernacle, the cloud [Whereof see Exod. 13. On v. 31.] covered the Tabernacle upon the Tent, [i.e. not properly over the court, but in some sort over the Holy place, especially, over the most Holy, where the Ark of the Testimony: [See above, ch. 1. On v. 50.] and in the evening (there) was over the Tabernacle as a shape of fire, until the morning.

16. Thus it happened continually the cloud covered the same: [i.e. the Tabernacle, viz. by day, as appeareth by, Exodus 13:21. And is to be gathered likewise from the verse foregoing] and by night there was a shape of fire.

17. But after that the Cloud was lifted up from above the Tent; thus the children of Israel likewise journeyed after that: and in the place where the cloud stayed, there the children of Israel encamped themselves.

18. After (Or, according to) the mouth of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and after the mouth of the LORD they camped themselves: [i.e. thus they did, according to the Order or Precept of the LORD: understand, according as God made it known by the Cloud, which was a token of his Presence, whether the same was lifted up, or stood still. For that same was unto the Israelites instead of a command of the LORD, according to which they were to govern themselves, in their removing and aboads] all the days where in the Cloud remained over the Tabernacle, they camped themselves.

19. And when the Cloud stayed, [Heb. prolonged] many days over the Tabernacle, then the children of Israel took care, (or, observed) the Guard of the LORD. [i.e. they diligently then attended the whole public Service or Worship of God; Compare Levit. 8. 35. And above, chapter 3. Ver. 7. They likewise observed what the LORD was doing, viz. whether he was lighting up the cloud, or caused it to rest; according to which they were either to journey, or stay] and journeyed not.

20. Now when it was that the Cloud was a few days, [Hebr. Days of number, i.e. few. See the like expression, Genesis 34:30. And the Annot.] upon the Tabernacle, according to the mouth of the LORD, they camped themselves, and according to the mouth of the LORD, they journeyed.

21. But in case that the cloud was there from the evening to the morning, and the cloud was lifted up in the morning, then they journeyed: or by day, or by night, when the Cloud was lifted up, they journeyed.

22. Or, when the Cloud delayed two days, or a month, or (many) days, [Hebr. Days. This word placed alone thus, signifieth some or many days. See Gen. 4. On v. 3. Or a whole year. See Levit. 25. On v. 29.] upon the Tabernacle, staying upon it, then the children of Israel camped themselves and journeyed not; and when it was lifted up, they journeyed.

23. According to the mouth of the LORD they camped, and according to the mouth of the LORD, they journeyed: they observed the Guard of the LORD, according to the mouth of the LORD, by the hand of Moseh. [i.e. by his service or Ministry. See Exod. 4. On v. 13. And Lev. 8. On v. 36.