And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, that they should keep the passover.

NUMBERS 9:4KJV
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Numbers 9:4 (KJV)

What does Numbers 9:4 mean?

Numbers 9:4 describes Moses instructing the Israelites to observe the Passover, following God’s command. The verse shows Moses acting as a messenger, making sure the people know they are to keep this important festival.

Moses is speaking directly to the Israelites, passing on God’s instructions about the Passover, which commemorates their deliverance from Egypt. This verse is set as the people are preparing to celebrate the Passover for the first time since leaving Egypt, highlighting the importance of obedience and remembrance in their journey.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 9:4

  • The word for "spake" is דָּבַר (dābar), which means to speak or declare. Here, it emphasizes Moses’ role as the one who communicates God’s instructions to the people.
  • "Keep" is עָשָׂה (ʿāsāh), which means to do, make, or observe. In this context, it stresses that the Passover is not just to be remembered but actively observed as a practice.
  • "Passover" is פֶּסַח (pesach), referring to the specific festival marking God’s protection and the Israelites’ escape from Egypt. The use of this word ties the command directly to the foundational story of Israel’s identity.

Why Numbers 9:4 matters

  • Numbers 9:4 clarifies that the Passover was not just a one-time event in Egypt but a continuing observance for the Israelites, showing its lasting significance.
  • The verse highlights Moses’ role as the faithful communicator between God and the people, reinforcing his leadership and the importance of following divine instructions.
  • By emphasizing the command to "keep the Passover," the verse connects the people’s present actions to their history and identity, reminding them of God’s deliverance and their ongoing relationship with Him.

Where else these words appear

“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