Numbers 9:2 - Exposition

Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season. Septuagint, ποιείτωσαν τὸ πάσχα . Cf. Matthew 26:18 , ποιῶ τὸ πάσχα , and Luke 22:19 , τοῦτο ποιεῖτε εἰς τὴν ἐμὴν ἀνάμνησιν . They may have been in doubt as to whether they were to keep it in the wilderness, and indeed they do not seem to have attempted to keep it again until they reached the promised land (see on Joshua 5:5 , Joshua 5:6 ). The passover had indeed been made an "ordinance for ever," but only when they were come to the land which the Lord should give them ( Exodus 12:24 , Exodus 12:25 ; Exodus 13:5 ). Apart, therefore, from express command, it would have been doubtful whether the feast should not at least he postponed. Inasmuch, however, as they had been detained at Sinai by Divine direction (albeit partly in consequence of their own idolatry, but for which they might already have been "at home"), it pleased God that they should not lack the blessing and support of the passover at its proper season.