And there were certain men who were unclean through touching a dead body, so that they could not keep the Passover on that day, and they came before Moses and Aaron on that day.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's so striking here is that these men, immediately after the Tabernacle was set up and the Passover was ordained, felt disqualified by touching a dead body. This shows us that even in the midst of God's glorious presence and new beginnings, the ancient laws of purity still held weight, requiring a practical solution for those unexpectedly hindered.
And there were certain men who were unclean through touching a dead body, so that they could not keep the Passover on that day, and they came before Moses and Aaron on that day.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Israelites are preparing to celebrate their second Passover, a year after their exodus from Egypt, but some men realize they are ritually unclean due to contact with a dead body. Unable to participate in the sacred observance on the appointed day, they approach Moses and Aaron for guidance on how to fulfill their obligation. This situation prompts Moses to seek God's instruction regarding a special provision for those unintentionally disqualified.
Have you ever felt disqualified from doing something good because of something you did (or something that happened to you)? This verse shows a critical moment where ritual purity clashed with a sacred duty.
The Dilemma of Defilement
The Passover was a holy feast, a central act of worship. However, the Law of Moses had strict rules about ritual purity, especially concerning death. Touching a dead body made a person ritually unclean for seven days (Numbers 19:11). This uncleanness prevented participation in sacred offerings and feasts.
In this instance, a group of men found themselves unclean due to contact with a dead body. This put them in a difficult position: they were obligated to keep the Passover, but they were legally unable to because of their defilement. They couldn't just ignore the situation or pretend they were clean.
Seeking Divine Guidance
Instead of giving up or trying to circumvent the law, these men did the right thing. They brought their dilemma directly to Moses and Aaron, the appointed leaders who could seek God's direction. This highlights the importance of bringing our spiritual struggles and difficult questions to those who can help us discern God's will.
God's laws are not meant to trap people, but to guide them. What happens when circumstances beyond our control prevent us from obeying perfectly? God had an answer.
God's Grace in Numbers 9
Ask a follow-up
Numbers 9:6 reveals a moment of tension – people who should have celebrated Passover couldn't. But the rest of the passage (Numbers 9:7-14) shows God's gracious provision.
When these men brought their situation to Moses, God didn't condemn them for being unclean. Instead, He instituted a way for them to still participate in the Passover. They were allowed to celebrate it exactly one month later, on the fourteenth day of the second month.
The Principle of a 'Second Chance'
This wasn't a loophole for laziness or disobedience. The text emphasizes that those who could keep the Passover and didn't, would face severe consequences. But for those genuinely hindered by circumstances (like uncleanness from death or being on a distant journey), God made a way.
This demonstrates God's heart: He desires our obedience and participation in His appointed times, but He also understands human frailty and unforeseen circumstances. He provides a path for His people to remain connected to Him, even when they can't meet the ideal timing or conditions.
Understand the original words
tame' · Hebrew Adjective
A state of ritual impurity under the Mosaic Law that prevented a person from participating in communal worship or holy activities until specific purification rites were completed. It is often associated with contact with death, disease, or bodily discharges.
pesach · Hebrew Noun
The annual feast established to commemorate the Lord's deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt. It involves the sacrifice of a lamb, symbolizing the substitutionary covering of sins, and serves as a foundational picture of Christ as the ultimate Passover Lamb.
This passage describes Mishael and Elizaphan, likely the very men in Numbers 9, burying their cousins Nadab and Abihu, thus becoming ritually unclean right before the Passover.
Numbers 19:11-13This provides the specific law detailing how touching a dead body makes one unclean for seven days, explaining the men's disqualification from the Passover.
Exodus 12:48-49This passage establishes that both Israelites and any foreigners living among them are to observe the Passover, highlighting the importance of its observance for all.
1 Corinthians 5:7-8Paul uses the Passover imagery to call believers to live holy lives, free from spiritual 'yeast,' drawing a parallel between physical ritual purity and spiritual transformation.
John 11:38-44Jesus’ raising of Lazarus shows His authority over death itself, demonstrating that He, as the true Passover lamb, can overcome even the ritual uncleanness caused by death.
ellicottNumbers 9:6: "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:"
(6) And there were certain men . . . — It has been supposed that the reference is to Mishael and Elzaphan, who appear to have buried their cousins, Nadab and Abihu, about this time (Blunt’s “Script. Coincidences,” pp. 66, 67,1850). If the consecration of Aaron and his sons began on the first day of the…
gillNumbers 9:6: "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:"
And there were certain men who were defiled by the dead body of a man,.... The Targum of Jonathan adds,"who died by them suddenly,''whereby pollution was contracted, see Numbers 6:9 ; though perhaps this was a whole house or family, one of which was dead, and so all were defiled, being in the place wher…
What's so striking here is that these men, immediately after the Tabernacle was set up and the Passover was ordained, felt disqualified by touching a dead body. This shows us that even in the midst of God's glorious presence and new beginnings, the ancient laws of purity still held weight, requiring a practical solution for those unexpectedly hindered.
The Israelites are preparing to celebrate their second Passover, a year after their exodus from Egypt, but some men realize they are ritually unclean due to contact with a dead body. Unable to participate in the sacred observance on the appointed day, they approach Moses and Aaron for guidance on how to fulfill their obligation. This situation prompts Moses to seek God's instruction regarding a special provision for those unintentionally disqualified.
The Israelites are preparing to celebrate their second Passover, a year after their exodus from Egypt, but some men realize they are ritually unclean due to contact with a dead body. Unable to participate in the sacred observance on the appointed day, they approach Moses and Aaron for guidance on how to fulfill their obligation. This situation prompts Moses to seek God's instruction regarding a special provision for those unintentionally disqualified.
"And there were certain men who were unclean through touching a dead body, so that they could not keep the Passover on that day, and they came before Moses and Aaron on that day." — What's so striking here is that these men, immediately after the Tabernacle was set up and the Passover was ordained, felt disqualified by touching a dead body. This shows us that even in the midst o…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026