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.

NUMBERS 9:13KJV
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Numbers 9:13 (KJV)

What does Numbers 9:13 mean?

Numbers 9:13 says that if someone is able to keep the Passover—meaning they are ritually clean and not away on a journey—but chooses not to, that person must be separated from the community because they did not bring the required offering at the appointed time and must bear the responsibility for their sin. This verse stresses the seriousness of deliberately ignoring God’s command about Passover.

In context, God is speaking to Moses, giving instructions for the Israelites about celebrating Passover. The verse addresses those who have no valid reason to miss the Passover meal. It makes clear that participation is not optional for those who are eligible, and that failing to observe it is seen as a serious offense with real consequences for one’s standing in the community.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 9:13

  • "Clean" (טָהוֹר, tahor): This word means ritually pure or eligible. The verse singles out those who have no ritual barrier to participation, emphasizing that only those who are truly able are held accountable.
  • "Forbeareth" (חָדַל, chadal): This word means to hold back or refrain. The verse uses it to describe someone who deliberately chooses not to participate, highlighting willful neglect rather than accidental omission.
  • "Soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nefesh): This word often means "person" or "life." Here, it underscores that the consequence—being cut off—applies to the individual as a whole, not just a part of their life.
  • "Cut off" (כָּרַת, karat): This phrase means to be separated or excluded from the people. It signals a serious consequence, likely meaning exclusion from the community’s religious and social life.

Why Numbers 9:13 matters

  • Numbers 9:13 clarifies that observing Passover is not just a suggestion for eligible Israelites, but a command with real consequences for disobedience.
  • The verse highlights the importance of both ritual purity and intentional participation, showing that God’s instructions are meant to be taken seriously.
  • It connects to the wider passage by balancing exceptions for those who are unclean or traveling (in the previous verses) with a strong warning for those who simply choose not to obey.

Where else these words appear

“sin” Hebrew H2399 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 41:9 Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:
  • Deuteronomy 21:22 And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree:
  • Psalms 103:10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

“passover” Hebrew H6453 · used in 46 verses

  • Exodus 12:11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S passover.
  • Numbers 33:3 And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the passover the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians.
  • 2 Chronicles 30:18 For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one

“forbeareth” Hebrew H2308 · used in 56 verses

  • Genesis 11:8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
  • 1 Samuel 2:5 They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.
  • Job 19:14 My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.

“offering” Hebrew H7133 · used in 78 verses

  • Leviticus 1:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.
  • Leviticus 7:16 But if the sacrifice of his offering be a vow, or a voluntary offering, it shall be eaten the same day that he offereth his sacrifice: and on the morrow also the remainder of it shall be eaten:
  • Numbers 7:37 His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering: