Numbers Chapter 9 · Verse 14
And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the LORD; according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land.
Original Language Analysis
וְכִֽי
H3588
וְכִֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יָג֨וּר
shall sojourn
H1481
יָג֨וּר
shall sojourn
Strong's:
H1481
Word #:
2 of 19
properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);
אִתְּכֶ֜ם
H854
אִתְּכֶ֜ם
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
3 of 19
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
וְלַגֵּ֖ר
And if a stranger
H1616
וְלַגֵּ֖ר
And if a stranger
Strong's:
H1616
Word #:
4 of 19
properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֑ה
among you and will keep
H6213
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֑ה
among you and will keep
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
5 of 19
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
הַפֶּ֛סַח
of the passover
H6453
הַפֶּ֛סַח
of the passover
Strong's:
H6453
Word #:
6 of 19
a pretermission, i.e., exemption; used only techically of the jewish passover (the festival or the victim)
לַֽיהוָ֔ה
unto the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֔ה
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הַפֶּ֛סַח
of the passover
H6453
הַפֶּ֛סַח
of the passover
Strong's:
H6453
Word #:
9 of 19
a pretermission, i.e., exemption; used only techically of the jewish passover (the festival or the victim)
וּכְמִשְׁפָּט֖וֹ
and according to the manner
H4941
וּכְמִשְׁפָּט֖וֹ
and according to the manner
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
10 of 19
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
כֵּ֣ן
H3651
כֵּ֣ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֑ה
among you and will keep
H6213
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֑ה
among you and will keep
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
12 of 19
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אַחַת֙
ye shall have one
H259
אַחַת֙
ye shall have one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
14 of 19
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
יִֽהְיֶ֣ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
15 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וְלַגֵּ֖ר
And if a stranger
H1616
וְלַגֵּ֖ר
And if a stranger
Strong's:
H1616
Word #:
17 of 19
properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner
Historical Context
Written during the wilderness period (c. 1444 BC), this law established inclusion criteria for non-Israelites in the covenant community. The requirement to observe Passover 'according to the ordinance' implied circumcision (Exodus 12:48), making this full covenant membership, not mere tolerance. The early church struggled with this same question at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the single standard for Israelite and stranger challenge both ethnic pride and cultural relativism in God's covenant people?
- What does the stranger's inclusion in Passover teach about the nature of salvation—by grace through faith, not by ethnic descent?
Analysis & Commentary
If a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the LORD (וְכִי־יָגוּר אִתְּכֶם גֵּר וְעָשָׂה פֶסַח לַיהוָה, vechi-yagur itkhem ger ve'asah fesaḥ laYHWH)—The ger (sojourner, resident alien) could participate in Israel's central redemptive feast, foreshadowing Gentile inclusion in the New Covenant. Ye shall have one ordinance (חֻקָּה אַחַת, ḥuqqah aḥat)—singular statute for native and foreigner alike.
This principle destroys ethnic favoritism: both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land (כַּגֵּר כָּאֶזְרָח, kager ka'ezraḥ). Paul quotes this theology in Galatians 3:28, 'There is neither Jew nor Greek.' The Passover, pointing to Christ our Passover sacrificed for us (1 Corinthians 5:7), was always meant for 'whosoever will' (Revelation 22:17).