Numbers 9:13

Authorized King James Version

PDF

But the man that is clean, and is not in a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, even the same soul shall be cut off from among his people: because he brought not the offering of the LORD in his appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.

Original Language Analysis

הָאִ֥ישׁ But the man H376
הָאִ֥ישׁ But the man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 1 of 24
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)
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 2 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
ה֨וּא H1931
ה֨וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 3 of 24
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
טָה֜וֹר that is clean H2889
טָה֜וֹר that is clean
Strong's: H2889
Word #: 4 of 24
pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense)
וּבְדֶ֣רֶךְ and is not in a journey H1870
וּבְדֶ֣רֶךְ and is not in a journey
Strong's: H1870
Word #: 5 of 24
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 6 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הָיָ֗ה H1961
הָיָ֗ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 7 of 24
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וְחָדַל֙ and forbeareth H2308
וְחָדַל֙ and forbeareth
Strong's: H2308
Word #: 8 of 24
properly, to be flabby, i.e., (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle
לַֽעֲשׂ֣וֹת to keep H6213
לַֽעֲשׂ֣וֹת to keep
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 9 of 24
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
הַפֶּ֔סַח the passover H6453
הַפֶּ֔סַח the passover
Strong's: H6453
Word #: 10 of 24
a pretermission, i.e., exemption; used only techically of the jewish passover (the festival or the victim)
וְנִכְרְתָ֛ה shall be cut off H3772
וְנִכְרְתָ֛ה shall be cut off
Strong's: H3772
Word #: 11 of 24
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ even the same soul H5315
הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ even the same soul
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 12 of 24
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
הַהִ֖וא H1931
הַהִ֖וא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 13 of 24
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
מֵֽעַמֶּ֑יהָ from among his people H5971
מֵֽעַמֶּ֑יהָ from among his people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 14 of 24
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
כִּ֣י׀ H3588
כִּ֣י׀
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 15 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
קָרְבַּ֣ן not the offering H7133
קָרְבַּ֣ן not the offering
Strong's: H7133
Word #: 16 of 24
something brought near the altar, i.e., a sacrificial present
יְהוָ֗ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֗ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 17 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לֹ֤א H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 18 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הִקְרִיב֙ because he brought H7126
הִקְרִיב֙ because he brought
Strong's: H7126
Word #: 19 of 24
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
בְּמֹ֣עֲד֔וֹ in his appointed season H4150
בְּמֹ֣עֲד֔וֹ in his appointed season
Strong's: H4150
Word #: 20 of 24
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
חֶטְא֥וֹ his sin H2399
חֶטְא֥וֹ his sin
Strong's: H2399
Word #: 21 of 24
a crime or its penalty
יִשָּׂ֖א shall bear H5375
יִשָּׂ֖א shall bear
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 22 of 24
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
הָאִ֥ישׁ But the man H376
הָאִ֥ישׁ But the man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 23 of 24
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)
הַהֽוּא׃ H1931
הַהֽוּא׃
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 24 of 24
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

Analysis & Commentary

The severe penalty 'that soul shall be cut off from among his people' for neglecting Passover without excuse shows covenant obligations' seriousness. The Hebrew karat (cut off) may indicate execution or excommunication. Those with legitimate excuse (uncleanness, travel) received accommodation; those without excuse faced judgment. This teaches that covenant privilege brings covenant responsibility. New Testament parallel exists in excommunication for unrepentant sin (Matthew 18:17, 1 Corinthians 5:13). Access to covenant means is blessing, but despising them brings judgment.

Historical Context

This law underscores Passover's central importance in Israelite identity—forgetting redemption was unthinkable. The annual commemoration renewed covenant identity and taught children the deliverance narrative. Neglecting Passover effectively renounced covenant membership. In Josiah's reform, restoring proper Passover observance signaled spiritual renewal (2 Kings 23:21-23).

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Study Resources