Numbers 9:10
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
דַּבֵּ֛ר
Speak
H1696
דַּבֵּ֛ר
Speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
1 of 20
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
בְּנֵ֥י
unto the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֥י
unto the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אִ֣ישׁ
If any
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
If any
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
6 of 20
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אִ֣ישׁ
If any
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
If any
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
7 of 20
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
8 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יִהְיֶֽה
H1961
יִהְיֶֽה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
9 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לָנֶ֡פֶשׁ
by reason of a dead body
H5315
לָנֶ֡פֶשׁ
by reason of a dead body
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
11 of 20
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
אוֹ֩
H176
אוֹ֩
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
12 of 20
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
בְדֶ֨רֶךְ
or be in a journey
H1870
בְדֶ֨רֶךְ
or be in a journey
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
13 of 20
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
רְחֹקָ֜הׄ
afar off
H7350
רְחֹקָ֜הׄ
afar off
Strong's:
H7350
Word #:
14 of 20
remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)
א֚וֹ
H176
א֚וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
16 of 20
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם
of you or of your posterity
H1755
לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם
of you or of your posterity
Strong's:
H1755
Word #:
17 of 20
properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling
וְעָ֥שָׂה
yet he shall keep
H6213
וְעָ֥שָׂה
yet he shall keep
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
18 of 20
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Historical Context
The travel provision recognized that Israelites might be legitimately absent from the central sanctuary due to necessary journeys. In later centuries when Jews lived in diaspora far from Jerusalem, this provision gained increased importance, though by then synagogue worship had developed as a substitute for temple participation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's accommodation for circumstances challenge legalistic exclusion of sincere believers?
- What barriers to worship exist today that sincere faith should overcome?
- How has Christ's work eliminated the distance and separation that once kept people from God?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The law that 'if any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off' extends the second Passover provision to future generations. The Hebrew dorot (generations) makes this permanent statute. Two categories received accommodation: the ceremonially unclean and travelers. This demonstrates God's realism about human conditions while maintaining holiness requirements. The principle that life circumstances should not permanently exclude sincere worshipers finds fulfillment in Christ, who breaks down every barrier between God and man (Ephesians 2:14).