_A.M. 2514. B.C. 1490._ Orders concerning eating the passover on the 14th day of the first month, Numbers 9:1. On the 14th day of the second month, by those who had been hindered, Numbers 9:8. Concerning the negligent and the stranger, Numbers 9:13; Numbers 9:14. Concerning the pillar of cloud and... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord spake_ Or _had spoken;_ for he now relates what happened before the numbering of the people, the consecration of the Levites, and other matters recorded in the former Chapter s. _In the first month_ This proves that it was before the numbering of the people, which was not till the _second... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let the children of Israel keep the passover_ The first order for the observation of it being, that they should _keep this service when they came to the promised land_, (Exodus 12:25,) they might have concluded there was no obligation upon them to keep it in the wilderness, had it not been for this... [ Continue Reading ]
_They kept the passover in the wilderness_ Where they rested almost a whole year; but after they removed from thence, they were in so unsettled a condition that they did not even circumcise their children, (Joshua 5:5,) who consequently could not eat the passover, Exodus 12:48.... [ Continue Reading ]
_They came before Moses_ For resolution of their difficulty. The law, mentioned Numbers 5:2, commanding such persons to be put out of the camp, was not yet made.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore are we kept back_ They thus confidently expostulate with Moses, because in the first institution of the passover no mention is made of excluding such unclean persons from that ordinance. And although it might possibly have been inferred from the law recorded Leviticus 7:20, that persons i... [ Continue Reading ]
_Moses said, I will hear what the Lord will command_ It appears from hence that Moses went into the sanctuary to consult the oracle of God whenever he had occasion, and was answered by an audible voice from the mercy-seat, Numbers 7:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Unclean or on a journey_ Under these two circumstances the Hebrews think that other hinderances of like nature are comprehended; as if one be hindered by a disease, or by any other such kind of uncleanness; which may seem probable both from the nature of the thing, and the reason of the law, which... [ Continue Reading ]
_A stranger_ Who is a proselyte. _Namely, the tent of the testimony_ Or, _the tabernacle above the tent of the testimony;_ that is, that part of the tabernacle in which was the testimony, or the ark of the testimony; for there the cloudy pillar stood. This was an evident token of God's special prese... [ Continue Reading ]
_Was taken up_ Or, ascended on high, above its ordinary place, by which it became more visible to all the camp. The motion or stay of the cloud is fitly called _the command of God_, because it was a signification of God's will and their duty. _The charge_ That is, the command of God that they should... [ Continue Reading ]
_When the cloud abode_ This is repeated again and again, because it was a constant miracle, and because it is a matter we should take particular notice of, as highly significant and instructive. It is mentioned long after by David, Psalms 105:39; and by the people of God after their captivity, Nehem... [ Continue Reading ]