Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

9:6-14 The Delayed Passover. The regular Passover of the "first month" was carried out properly (v. 5), but some people could not join in because they were unclean through contact with a corpse. Death is one of the more potent sources of uncleanness (see ch. 19). As explained in ch. 5 (see notes there), uncleanness prevents those affected from living in the camp, let alone participating in worship. But failure to celebrate the Passover when one is able to do so is a serious sin, meriting being cut off (9:13). "Cut off" probably means dying suddenly and mysteriously as a divine punishment, though some interpreters think it sometimes may refer to excommunication from Israel or judicial execution. (For other offenses that merit this penalty, cf. Lev. 17:4, 9; 20:6, 18; Num. 15:30-31; 19:13.) Those affected by uncleanness were not required to celebrate the Passover at another time; nevertheless, they were allowed to keep it one month later than usual, following the standard procedures (9:11-12). if a stranger sojourns among you (v. 14). Resident aliens, though not obliged to keep the Passover, are welcome to observe it if they so desire. They are expected to observe the Sabbath and the Day of Atonement (Ex. 20:10; Lev. 16:29).