Chapter commentary
Numbers Chapter 9
1
Nu 9:1-5.
繁體中文
English original
Nu 9:1-5.
THE PASSOVER ENJOINED.
2
Untitled
繁體中文
2-5. 以色列人應當在所定的日期守逾越節等——這條要在曠野守逾越節的命令，是在帳幕立好並獻為聖之後不久頒下的，比數點百姓早了一個月。（將
Nu 9:1 與 Nu 1:1, 2 對照）。 但它之所以記在那事之後，是為要引出一個特殊案例，為此另有律法應付其情。這是出埃及以來第一次守逾越節；若沒有明文的命令，以色列人並無義務在定居迦南之前守這節
(Ex 12:25)。 週年正日——即十二個月前他們出埃及的那一日——他們守了這節，並行了種種特有禮儀——一歲的公羊羔和無酵餅。這些材料不難取得——羊羔取自他們眾多的羊群，無酵餅所需的麵則藉葉忒羅之助，從毗鄰他們營地的米甸地運來
(Ex 3:1)。 但束腰、穿鞋、手中拿杖這些只是匆忙離開時的附帶情形、並非禮儀本質，因此不再重複。一般認為這是四十年漂流中唯一一次守此節；猶太作者們說，因為未受割禮的人不可吃逾越節的羊羔
(Ex 12:43, 44, 48)， 而曠野中並未行割禮〔Jos 5:4-7〕， 所以逾越節的典禮也就無從重新舉行。
English original
2-5. Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season, &c.--The date of this command to keep the passover in the wilderness was given shortly after the erection and consecration of the tabernacle and preceded the numbering of the people by a month. (Compare
Nu 9:1 with Nu 1:1, 2).
But it is narrated after that transaction in order to introduce the notice of a particular case, for which a law was provided to meet the occasion. This was the first observance of the passover since the exodus; and without a positive injunction, the Israelites were under no obligation to keep it till their settlement in the land of Canaan
(Ex 12:25).
The anniversary was kept on the exact day of the year on which they, twelve months before, had departed from Egypt; and it was marked by all the peculiar rites--the he lamb and the unleavened bread. The materials would be easily procured--the lambs from their numerous flocks and the meal for the unleavened bread, by the aid of Jethro, from the land of Midian, which was adjoining their camp
(Ex 3:1).
But their girded loins, their sandaled feet, and their staff in their hand, being mere circumstances attending a hurried departure and not essential to the rite, were not repeated. It is supposed to have been the only observance of the feast during their forty years' wandering; and Jewish writers say that, as none could eat the passover except they were circumcised
(Ex 12:43, 44, 48),
and circumcision was not practised in the wilderness
[Jos 5:4-7],
there could be no renewal of the paschal solemnity.
6
Nu 9:6-14.
繁體中文
Nu 9:6-14.
允許守第二次逾越節。
6, 7. 有幾個人因死屍而不潔淨——為已故親人盡喪葬之末務是不可推諉的本分；然而出席喪禮會招致禮儀上的不潔，致使人被摒於一切社交和營外七日之久。在第一個逾越週年來到之時，正處此境的幾個人甚覺為難——他們在當守的節期暫時不合格，又沒有機會補行，便可能完全喪失一切特權——於是把這案件呈到摩西面前。猶太作者們斷言，這幾人正是抬出拿答、亞比戶屍首的人〔Le 10:4, 5〕。
English original
Nu 9:6-14.
A SECOND PASSOVER ALLOWED.
6, 7. there were certain men, who were defiled by the dead body of a man--To discharge the last offices to the remains of deceased relatives was imperative; and yet attendance on a funeral entailed ceremonial defilement, which led to exclusion from all society and from the camp for seven days. Some persons who were in this situation at the arrival of the first paschal anniversary, being painfully perplexed about the course of duty because they were temporarily disqualified at the proper season, and having no opportunity of supplying their want were liable to a total privation of all their privileges, laid their case before Moses. Jewish writers assert that these men were the persons who had carried out the dead bodies of Nadab and Abihu
[Le 10:4, 5].
8
Untitled
繁體中文
8-14. 摩西對他們說：你們暫且等候，等我知道耶和華要吩咐你們怎樣行——難處很快便有了解答：神以權柄規定，凡因家中有喪事而不合格，或因路遠不能在週年當日守節的人，特准他們在下個月的同日同時自行補守，並照樣盡一切莊嚴的禮儀。（參
2Ch 30:2）。 但對於沒有這些障礙的人，守節乃是不可推諉的本分。
English original
8-14. Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the Lord will command concerning you--A solution of the difficulty was soon obtained, it being enacted, by divine authority, that to those who might be disqualified by the occurrence of a death in their family circle or unable by distance to keep the passover on the anniversary day, a special license was granted of observing it by themselves on the same day and hour of the following month, under a due attendance to all the solemn formalities. (See on
2Ch 30:2).
But the observance was imperative on all who did not labor under these impediments.
14
Untitled
繁體中文
14. 若有外人寄居在你們中間，也要守逾越節——外邦歸化者，即後來所稱的入教者，只要受了割禮，便與本國以色列人享同等特權，若忽略守逾越節，也要被逐出會外。但割禮是不可少的條件；凡不受這禮的，在最嚴厲的刑罰之下，禁止吃逾越節的羊羔。
English original
14. if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover--Gentile converts, or proselytes, as they were afterwards called, were admitted, if circumcised, to the same privileges as native Israelites, and were liable to excommunication if they neglected the passover. But circumcision was an indispensable condition; and whoever did not submit to that rite, was prohibited, under the sternest penalties, from eating the passover.
15
Nu 9:15-23.
繁體中文
Nu 9:15-23.
雲柱引導以色列人。
15. 雲彩遮蓋帳幕——受感的史家在此進入一個全新的主題，本可自成一章，從本節開始、至
Nu 10:29
結束〔CALMET〕。 雲彩是神特別同在並護佑以色列人的可見記號
(Ex 14:20; Ps 105:39)。 它憑其獨特的形態和固定的位置，輕易可與一切別的雲分別；因為自帳幕完工之日起，它在白日如烏雲柱、夜間如火柱，停駐在聖所中藏有法櫃的那一部分
(Le 16:2)。
English original
Nu 9:15-23.
A CLOUD GUIDES THE ISRAELITES.
15. the cloud covered the tabernacle--The inspired historian here enters on an entirely new subject, which might properly have formed a separate chapter, beginning at this verse and ending at
Nu 10:29
[CALMET]. The cloud was a visible token of God's special presence and guardian care of the Israelites
(Ex 14:20; Ps 105:39).
It was easily distinguishable from all other clouds by its peculiar form and its fixed position; for from the day of the completion of the tabernacle it rested by day as a dark, by night as a fiery, column on that part of the sanctuary which contained the ark of the testimony
(Le 16:2).
17
Untitled
繁體中文
17. 雲彩幾時收上去——即升到更高的高度，使營盤最遠的一端也能望見。這是起行的信號；因此恰當地被稱為
(Nu 9:18)
「耶和華的命令」。它是神同在的可見記號；神從雲中——如同榮耀的寶座——發出命令。所以雲的動靜支配了以色列人一切行程的開始與終結。（參
Ex 14:19）。
English original
17. when the cloud was taken up--that is, rose to a higher elevation, so as to be conspicuous at the remotest extremities of the camp. That was a signal for removal; and, accordingly, it is properly called
(Nu 9:18)
"the commandment of the Lord." It was a visible token of the presence of God; and from it, as a glorious throne, He gave the order. So that its motion regulated the commencement and termination of all the journeys of the Israelites. (See on
Ex 14:19).
19
Untitled
繁體中文
19. 雲彩在帳幕上停留許多日子，……以色列人便守耶和華所吩咐的，不起行——曠野生活自有其吸引之處，不斷的遷移會滋生對變動的強烈愛好。許多事件顯示以色列人已深染這種遊牧習性，巴不得快快趕到迦南。但雲彩的各種動靜所表明的，仍是神的命令；無論他們在營中久住會感到何等厭煩，「雲彩在帳幕上停留許多日子，他們便守耶和華的吩咐，不起行」。他們若始終保持這種順服的心，該是何等有福！我們若在這世界的曠野中，毫無保留地順從神護理之工的引導和神話語的指示，又該是何等有福！
English original
19. when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle, . . . then Israel kept the charge of the Lord, and journeyed not--A desert life has its attractions, and constant movements create a passionate love of change. Many incidents show that the Israelites had strongly imbibed this nomad habit and were desirous of hastening to Canaan. But still the phases of the cloud indicated the command of God: and whatsoever irksomeness they might have felt in remaining long stationary in camp, "when the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle many days, they kept the charge of the Lord, and journeyed not." Happy for them had they always exhibited this spirit of obedience! and happy for all if, through the wilderness of this world, we implicitly follow the leadings of God's Providence and the directions of God's Word!
Nu 9:1-5.
吩咐守逾越節。