The Second Passover
A year after Israel’s exodus from Egypt, the...
A year after Israel’s exodus from Egypt, the time came for Israel to celebrate their second Passover in the wilderness of Sinai. Those unable to celebrate it on time were given permission to do so a month later.
1In the first month of the second year after Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, the LORD spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai:
The Hebrews were told to celebrate the Passover...
- The Hebrews were told to celebrate the Passover at the prescribed time (see Exod 12:6).
- at twilight: The Hebrew day begins at sundown.
2“The Israelites are to observe the Passover at its appointed time. 3You are to observe it at the appointed time, at twilight on the fourteenth† day of this month, in accordance with its statutes and ordinances.”
When it was time to celebrate the Passover,...
When it was time to celebrate the Passover, some men were prevented by the restrictions of Lev 7:20–21. Their objection arose from a desire to keep the regulation in a case where there seemed to be no good way for them to do so.
4So Moses told the Israelites to observe the Passover, 5and they did so in the Wilderness of Sinai, at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. The Israelites did everything just as the LORD had commanded Moses.
6But there were some men who were unclean due to a dead body, so they could not observe the Passover on that day. And they came before Moses and Aaron that same day 7and said to Moses, “We are unclean because of a dead body, but why should we be excluded from presenting the LORD’s offering with the other Israelites at the appointed time?”
8“Wait here until I find out what the LORD commands concerning you,” Moses replied.
God’s response to the quandary was to allow...
God’s response to the quandary was to allow a makeup ceremony one month later for two special cases (see also 2 Chr 30), but with this provision he warned that the Israelites must not neglect the Passover and must celebrate it according to the regulations.
9Then the LORD said to Moses, 10“Tell the Israelites: ‘When any one of you or your descendants is unclean because of a dead body, or is away on a journey, he may still observe the Passover to the LORD. 11Such people are to observe it at twilight on the fourteenth day of the second month. They are to eat the lamb, together with unleavened bread and bitter herbs; 12they may not leave any of it until morning or break any of its bones. They must observe the Passover according to all its statutes.
13But if a man who is ceremonially clean and is not on a journey still fails to observe the Passover, he must be cut off from his people, because he did not present the LORD’s offering at its appointed time. That man will bear the consequences of his sin.
14If a foreigner dwelling among you wants to observe the Passover to the LORD, he is to do so according to the Passover statute and its ordinances. You are to apply the same statute to both the foreigner and the native of the land.’”
The Cloud above the Tabernacle
This passage parallels Exod 40:17, 34–38 and provides...
This passage parallels Exod 40:17, 34–38 and provides additional details about God’s use of the pillar of cloud and fire to lead his people (see also Exod 13:21–22). The Lord faithfully and unmistakably guided his people in the wilderness.
15On the day that the tabernacle, the Tent of the Testimony, was set up, the cloud covered it and appeared like fire above the tabernacle from evening until morning. 16It remained that way continually; the cloud would cover the tabernacle by day,† and at night it would appear like fire. 17Whenever the cloud was lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites would set out, and wherever the cloud settled, there the Israelites would camp. 18At the LORD’s command the Israelites set out, and at the LORD’s command they camped. As long as the cloud remained over the tabernacle, they remained encamped.
The fiery cloud, witnessed even by Israel’s enemies...
The fiery cloud, witnessed even by Israel’s enemies (14:14), was a clear symbol of God’s glorious presence and the means by which he directed their movement.
19Even when the cloud lingered over the tabernacle for many days, the Israelites kept the LORD’s charge and did not set out. 20Sometimes the cloud remained over the tabernacle for only a few days, and they would camp at the LORD’s command and set out at the LORD’s command. 21Sometimes the cloud remained only from evening until morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they would set out. Whether it was by day or by night, when the cloud was taken up, they would set out.
22Whether the cloud lingered for two days, a month, or longer, the Israelites camped and did not set out as long as the cloud remained over the tabernacle; but when it was lifted, they would set out. 23They camped at the LORD’s command, and they set out at the LORD’s command; they carried out the LORD’s charge according to His command through Moses.