Numbers 9:6

Authorized King James Version

And there were certain men, who were defiled by the dead body of a man, that they could not keep the passover on that day: and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֣י
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
אֲנָשִׁ֗ים
H582
And there were certain men
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
#3
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#4
הָי֤וּ
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#5
טְמֵאִים֙
H2931
who were defiled
foul in a religious sense
#6
לְנֶ֣פֶשׁ
H5315
by the dead body
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#7
אָדָ֔ם
H120
of a man
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
#8
וְלֹֽא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#9
יָכְל֥וּ
H3201
that they could
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
#10
לַֽעֲשֹׂת
H6213
not keep
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#11
הַפֶּ֖סַח
H6453
the passover
a pretermission, i.e., exemption; used only techically of the jewish passover (the festival or the victim)
#12
בַּיּ֥וֹם
H3117
on that day
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
#13
הַה֑וּא
H1931
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
#14
וַֽיִּקְרְב֞וּ
H7126
and they came
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
#15
וְלִפְנֵ֥י
H6440
and before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#16
מֹשֶׁ֛ה
H4872
Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#17
וְלִפְנֵ֥י
H6440
and before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#18
אַֽהֲרֹ֖ן
H175
Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses
#19
בַּיּ֥וֹם
H3117
on that day
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
#20
הַהֽוּא׃
H1931
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

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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