Numbers 9:1

Authorized King James Version

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And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,

Original Language Analysis

וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר spake H1696
וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר spake
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 1 of 14
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
יְהוָ֣ה And the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה And the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 3 of 14
near, with or among; often in general, to
מֹשֶׁ֣ה unto Moses H4872
מֹשֶׁ֣ה unto Moses
Strong's: H4872
Word #: 4 of 14
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
בְמִדְבַּר in the wilderness H4057
בְמִדְבַּר in the wilderness
Strong's: H4057
Word #: 5 of 14
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
סִ֠ינַי of Sinai H5514
סִ֠ינַי of Sinai
Strong's: H5514
Word #: 6 of 14
sinai, mountain of arabia
בַּשָּׁנָ֨ה year H8141
בַּשָּׁנָ֨ה year
Strong's: H8141
Word #: 7 of 14
a year (as a revolution of time)
הַשֵּׁנִ֜ית of the second H8145
הַשֵּׁנִ֜ית of the second
Strong's: H8145
Word #: 8 of 14
properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again
לְצֵאתָ֨ם after they were come out H3318
לְצֵאתָ֨ם after they were come out
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 9 of 14
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מֵאֶ֧רֶץ of the land H776
מֵאֶ֧רֶץ of the land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 10 of 14
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
מִצְרַ֛יִם of Egypt H4714
מִצְרַ֛יִם of Egypt
Strong's: H4714
Word #: 11 of 14
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁ month H2320
בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁ month
Strong's: H2320
Word #: 12 of 14
the new moon; by implication, a month
הָֽרִאשׁ֖וֹן in the first H7223
הָֽרִאשׁ֖וֹן in the first
Strong's: H7223
Word #: 13 of 14
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
לֵאמֹֽר׃ saying H559
לֵאמֹֽר׃ saying
Strong's: H559
Word #: 14 of 14
to say (used with great latitude)

Analysis & Commentary

The first month of the second year marks exactly one year since the Exodus Passover. God's command to observe Passover demonstrates His insistence on memorial worship—Israel must not forget redemption. The Hebrew pesach (Passover) commemorates the angel passing over blood-marked homes (Exodus 12). This establishes the pattern of covenant renewal through commemorative ritual. Christians continue this through the Lord's Supper—proclaiming Christ's death until He returns (1 Corinthians 11:26). Both Passover and communion are not mere memorials but means of grace renewing covenant identity.

Historical Context

This Passover was the second celebration (the first was in Egypt). It occurred one month before the departure from Sinai (Numbers 10:11). The timing is significant—before the rebellion, unbelief, and judgment that would come. God renewed covenant commitment before testing their faithfulness, demonstrating that grace precedes obedience, not vice versa.

Questions for Reflection

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