Numbers 9:5
And they kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel.
Original Language Analysis
עָשׂ֖וּ
And they kept
H6213
עָשׂ֖וּ
And they kept
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
1 of 22
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַפֶּ֡סַח
the passover
H6453
הַפֶּ֡סַח
the passover
Strong's:
H6453
Word #:
3 of 22
a pretermission, i.e., exemption; used only techically of the jewish passover (the festival or the victim)
בָּֽרִאשׁ֡וֹן
of the first
H7223
בָּֽרִאשׁ֡וֹן
of the first
Strong's:
H7223
Word #:
4 of 22
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
עָשָׂ֨ר
H6240
עָשָׂ֨ר
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
6 of 22
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
י֥וֹם
day
H3117
י֥וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
7 of 22
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
בֵּ֥ין
H996
בֵּ֥ין
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
9 of 22
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
בְּמִדְבַּ֣ר
in the wilderness
H4057
בְּמִדְבַּ֣ר
in the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
11 of 22
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
כְּ֠כֹל
H3605
כְּ֠כֹל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָה֙
according to all that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
according to all that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
16 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כֵּ֥ן
H3651
כֵּ֥ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
19 of 22
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
עָשׂ֖וּ
And they kept
H6213
עָשׂ֖וּ
And they kept
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
20 of 22
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Historical Context
This second Passover occurred before the scouts' bad report (Numbers 13-14), Korah's rebellion (Numbers 16), and the subsequent 40 years of wilderness wandering. The generation that kept this Passover would die in the wilderness except for Joshua and Caleb. Initial obedience did not guarantee final salvation under the old covenant.
Questions for Reflection
- How does early faithfulness followed by rebellion warn against presuming on past obedience?
- What makes the New Covenant superior to the conditional Mosaic covenant?
- How does the Spirit's work enable perseverance where mere human effort fails?
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Analysis & Commentary
The record 'they kept the passover...according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel' demonstrates corporate covenant faithfulness. The entire nation obeyed precisely. This pattern of obedience precedes the subsequent rebellion and unbelief, showing that early faithfulness does not guarantee perseverance. The conditional nature of the Mosaic covenant meant blessing for obedience, curse for disobedience. This points to the need for the New Covenant with its unconditional promises secured by Christ's perfect obedience and empowered by the Spirit's internal work.