Numbers 9:13 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Those able to keep Passover but who choose not to will be cut off from the community.
The Context of Numbers 9:13
Willful failure to keep Passover when able results in exclusion from the community.
What Does Numbers 9:13 Mean?
This verse establishes the contrast: exemptions exist for those unable to participate due to legitimate circumstances, but willful neglect has serious consequences. A person clean and present but choosing not to keep Passover rejected the covenant and the community's identity. Being 'cut off from among his people' meant separation from the covenant community, the most serious consequence for Israel.
The consequence reflects the centrality of Passover to Israel's covenant identity. This was not merely a religious practice but the annual renewal of their most fundamental relationship with God. To refuse this observance was to refuse the covenant itself, placing oneself outside the community of the covenant.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 9:13
What does Numbers 9:13 mean?
Those able to keep Passover but who choose not to will be cut off from the community.
What is the context of Numbers 9:13?
Willful failure to keep Passover when able results in exclusion from the community.