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.
NUMBERS 9:5KJVWhat does Numbers 9:5 mean?
Numbers 9:5 describes how the Israelites obeyed God's command by celebrating the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month, at evening, while they were in the wilderness of Sinai. The verse emphasizes that they did everything just as the LORD had instructed Moses.
In this verse, Moses is leading the people of Israel after their escape from Egypt, and they are camped at Mount Sinai. God had given Moses specific instructions about observing the Passover, a festival remembering their deliverance from Egypt. The verse highlights the people's careful obedience, even while living in the wilderness, showing their commitment to God's commands.
The Hebrew behind Numbers 9:5
- פֶּסַח (pesach) — "passover": This word refers to the special festival and sacrificial meal commemorating Israel's escape from Egypt. Its use here connects the current generation in the wilderness to that foundational event.
- עֶרֶב (erev) — "even": This word means "evening," marking the specific time the Passover was to be observed. The detail shows the importance of following God's instructions precisely, not just generally.
- מִדְבַּר (midbar) — "wilderness": This word highlights that the Israelites were not yet in the Promised Land but still kept God's commands even in a harsh, unsettled place.
Why Numbers 9:5 matters
- Numbers 9:5 shows that the Israelites maintained their religious practices even in difficult circumstances, emphasizing faithfulness outside of ideal conditions.
- The verse connects the wilderness generation to the original Passover in Egypt, reinforcing their identity as God's redeemed people.
- By stressing that everything was done "according to all that the LORD commanded Moses," the verse highlights the importance of obedience to God's instructions in detail, not just in spirit.