Bible Commentaries
Numbers 9

Verses 1-14

Numbers 9:1-14 . Regulations for a Supplementary Passover.— The institution of such, on the fourteenth day of the second (instead of the first) month, was required to meet the needs of those who were prevented by some adequate cause from participating in the ceremony at the proper time ( cf. 2 Chronicles 30:2 f.). The occasion when the law here described was enacted was the second anniversary of the Passover, so that the date of this chapter precedes that of ch. 1. As the people at this time were dwelling in tents (not in houses), it must be supposed that the command respecting the smearing of the lintel and side-posts of the door with blood ( Exodus 12:7; Exodus 12:22) was modified.

Numbers 9:2 . Moreover: omit (with Vulg.).

Numbers 9:5 . at even: Exodus 12:6 *.

Numbers 9:6 . cf. Deuteronomy 5:2 *.— and before Aaron: omit; note him ( i.e. Moses) in Numbers 9:7.

Numbers 9:14 . stranger: i.e. a settler who had become a member of the Israelite community ( LXX has “ proselyte” ), not a mere temporary sojourner (who was forbidden to eat the Passover, Exodus 12:45 *).

Verses 15-23

Numbers 9:15-23 . The Movement of the Camp Determined by the Fiery Cloud.— Since according to P the Tabernacle was in the centre of the camp when it was stationary, and in the midst of the column when it was on the march ( Numbers 2:17, Numbers 10:21), the setting or rising of the cloud above it only gave the signal for encamping or for breaking up the camp: the direction of the march was conveyed from Yahweh through Moses ( Numbers 10:13). The view of the writer of Numbers 10:33-36 * is quite different. The conception of the cloud as fiery ( Numbers 9:15) maintains the idea of fire as the symbol of Yahweh’ s presence, which occurs in Genesis 15:17, Exodus 3:2-4. Fire was also associated with the presence of heathen deities: for instance, it was believed to play around a temple of Aphrodite at Aphaca, and around a sacred olive-troe near Tyre ( Exodus 13:21 f.*).

Numbers 9:16 . covered it: add (with LXX) “ by day.”

Numbers 9:22 . a year: literally, “ days,” i.e. an indefinite period.