Intertextuality Pair

Numbers 9:1-14 → Leviticus 23:5

Allusion

Later text

Numbers 9:1-14BSB

In 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 Israelites are to observe the Passover at its appointed time. 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." So Moses told the Israelites to observe the Passover, and 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. But 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 and 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?" "Wait here until I find out what the LORD commands concerning you," Moses replied. Then the LORD said to Moses, "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. 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; they may not leave any of it until morning or break any of its bones. They must observe the Passover according to all its statutes. But 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. If 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.'"

Earlier text

Leviticus 23:5BSB

The Passover to the LORD begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month.

Significance

Leviticus 23:5 establishes the Passover within God's appointed times (מוֹעֲדִים, mo'adim): "In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight, is the LORD's Passover." Numbers 9:1-14 records Israel's first annual celebration of this appointed time in the wilderness, plus the innovative delayed-Passover provision. The connection shows Numbers implementing what Leviticus legislates: the festal calendar of Leviticus 23 provides the framework, and Numbers provides both the narrative of observance and the casuistic legislation needed to address practical complications (impurity, travel) that arise when the calendar is actually observed. Numbers 9:13 further insists that anyone able yet unwilling to keep the Passover "shall be cut off from his people," preserving the festival's mandatory character even as the legislation makes gracious provision for the truly unable.

Found via
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Reference Type
Allusion
Connection Method(s)
Longitudinal Theme

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