Numbers 9:3

You are to observe it at the appointed time, at twilight on the fourteenth day of this month, in accordance with its statutes and ordinances.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — God speaks through Moses to the Israelites in the wilderness, giving a direct command to keep the Passover at its designated time. This instruction follows the initial announcement of the festival and precedes Moses relaying the order to the congregation.

The words — The phrase בֵּ֧ין הָֽ/עֲרְבַּ֛יִם (bein ha.'ar.Ba.yim) literally means "between the evenings," fixing the ritual to a specific window. The verb תַּעֲשׂ֥וּ (ta.'a.Su) translates to "you will observe" or "you will do," emphasizing active execution rather than passive remembrance.

The thread — The fixed date and timing appear in Exodus 12:6, Leviticus 23:5, and Numbers 9:11. These passages collectively establish a consistent chronological and procedural framework for the festival across the Torah.

Why it lands — The text demands exact compliance with a set calendar day and time, leaving no room for personal adjustment. Readers must accept that worship requires submission to divine timing and prescribed boundaries.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

בְּאַרְבָּעָ֣הbe./'ar.ba.'Ahon/ [the] four-עָשָֽׂר־'a.sar-teen י֠וֹםYomday בַּחֹ֨דֶשׁba./Cho.deshin the/ month הַזֶּ֜הha./Zeh<the>/ this בֵּ֧יןbeinbetween הָֽעֲרְבַּ֛יִםha./'ar.Ba.yimthe/ evenings תַּעֲשׂ֥וּta.'a.Suyou will observe אֹת֖וֹ'o.T/o<obj.>/ it בְּמוֹעֲד֑וֹbe./mo.'a.D/oat/ appointed time/ its כְּכָל־ke./khol-according to/ all חֻקֹּתָ֥יוchu.ko.Ta/vstatutes/ its וּכְכָל־u./khekh./khol-and/ according to/ all מִשְׁפָּטָ֖יוmish.pa.Ta/vjudgments/ its תַּעֲשׂ֥וּta.'a.Suyou will observe אֹתֽוֹ׃'o.T/o<obj.>/ it

King James Version

In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, ye shall keep it in his appointed season: according to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof, shall ye keep it.

Cross-references

Exodus 12:6 You must keep it until the fourteenth day of the month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel will slaughter the animals at twilight.
Leviticus 23:5 The Passover to the LORD begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month.
Numbers 9:11 Such 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;
2 Chronicles 30:2 For the king and his officials and the whole assembly in Jerusalem had decided to keep the Passover in the second month,
2 Chronicles 30:15 And on the fourteenth day of the second month they slaughtered the Passover lamb. The priests and Levites were ashamed, and they consecrated themselves and brought burnt offerings to the house of the LORD.
Hebrews 9:26 Otherwise, Christ would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But now He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.