The Passover and the Guiding Cloud
Numbers 9
Israel keeps the Passover in the wilderness of Sina, and the Lord provides a second Passover in the following month for those who were unclean or on a journey. A cloud covers the tabernacle by day and appears as fire by night, and the people camp or set out according to whether the cloud rests or lifts.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonNOW in the second year after their coming out of the land of Egypt, in the first month, the Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sina, saying,
BrentonAnd the Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sina in the second year after they had gone forth from the land of Egypt, in the first month, saying,
GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ Σινᾷ ἐν τῷ ἔτει τῷ δευτέρῳ, ἐξελθόντων αὐτῶν ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου, ἐν τῷ μηνὶ τῷ πρώτῳ, λέγων,
KJVAnd the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,
JPSAnd the LORD spoke unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying:
2
ThomsonGive orders, and let the children of Israel keep the passover in its appointed season.
BrentonSpeak, and let the children of Israel keep the passover in its season.
Greekεἶπον, καὶ ποιείτωσαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ τὸ πάσχα καθʼ ὥραν αὐτοῦ,
KJVLet the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season.
JPS’Let the children of Israel keep the passover in its appointed season.
3
ThomsonOn the fourteenth day of this first month, toward evening, thou shalt celebrate it in its season. According to its rites, and according to its institution, thou shalt celebrate it.
BrentonOn the fourteenth day of the first month at even, thou shalt keep it in its season; thou shalt keep it according to its law, and according to its ordinance.
Greekτῇ τεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτῃ ἡμέρᾳ τοῦ μηνὸς τοῦ πρώτου πρὸς ἑσπέραν, ποιήσεις αὐτὸ κατὰ καιρούς· κατὰ τὸν νόμον αὐτοῦ, καὶ κατὰ τὴν σύγκρισιν αὐτοῦ ποιήσεις αὐτό.
KJVIn 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.
JPSIn the fourteenth day of this month, at dusk, ye shall keep it in its appointed season; according to all the statutes of it, and according to all the ordinances thereof, shall ye keep it.’
4
ThomsonAccordingly Moses spoke to the children of Israel to keep the passover
BrentonAnd Moses ordered the children of Israel to sacrifice the passover,
GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Μωυσῆς τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραὴλ ποιῆσαι τὸ πάσχα ἐναρχομένου τῇ τεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτῃ ἡμέρᾳ τοῦ μηνὸς ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ τοῦ Σινᾶ.
KJVAnd Moses spake unto the children of Israel, that they should keep the passover.
JPSAnd Moses spoke unto the children of Israel, that they should keep the passover.
5
Thomsonon the fourteenth day of the first month, in the wilderness of Sina. And when the children of Israel were doing as the Lord commanded Moses,
Brentonon the fourteenth day of the first month in the wilderness of Sina, as the Lord appointed Moses, so the children of Israel did.
Greekκαθὰ συνέταξε Κύριος τῷ Μωυσῇ, οὕτως ἐποίησαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραήλ.
KJVAnd they kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel.
JPSAnd they kept the passover in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at dusk, in the wilderness of Sinai; according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel.
6
Thomsonthere were some men who were defiled by the dead body of a man, and could not keep the passover; so these men came to Moses and Aaron on that day,
BrentonAnd there came men who were unclean by reason of a dead body, and they were not able to keep the passover on that day; and they came before Moses and Aaron on that day.
GreekΚαὶ παρεγένοντο οἱ ἄνδρες οἳ ἦσαν ἀκάθαρτοι ἐπὶ ψυχῇ ἀνθρώπου, καὶ οὐκ ἠδύναντο ποιῆσαι τὸ πάσχα ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ· καὶ προσῆλθον ἐναντίον Μωυσῆ καὶ Ἀαρὼν ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ·
KJVAnd there were certain men, who were defiled by the dead body of a man, that they could not keep the passover on that day: and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day:
JPSBut there were certain men, who were unclean by the dead body of a man, so that they could not keep the passover on that day; and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day.
7
Thomsonand said to them, We are defiled by the dead body of a man, must we therefore be deprived of the opportunity of offering our gift to the Lord, in its appointed season, among the children of Israel: whereupon
BrentonAnd those men said to Moses, We are unclean by reason of the dead body of a man: shall we therefore fail to offer the gift to the Lord in its season in the midst of the children of Israel?
GreekΚαὶ εἶπαν οἱ ἄνδρες ἐκεῖνοι πρὸς αὐτὸν, ἡμεῖς ἀκάθαρτοι ἐπὶ ψυχῇ ἀνθρώπου· μὴ οὖν ὑστερήσωμεν προσενέγκαι τὸ δῶρον Κυρίῳ κατὰ καιρὸν αὐτοῦ ἐν μέσῳ υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ;
KJVAnd those men said unto him, We are defiled by the dead body of a man: wherefore are we kept back, that we may not offer an offering of the LORD in his appointed season among the children of Israel?
JPSAnd those men said unto him: ‘We are unclean by the dead body of a man; wherefore are we to be kept back, so as not to bring the offering of the LORD in its appointed season among the children of Israel?’
8
ThomsonMoses said to them, Stand here; and I will hear what the Lord will command concerning you.
BrentonAnd Moses said to them, Stand there, and I will hear what charge the Lord will give concerning you.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτοὺς Μωυσῆς, στῆτε αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀκούσομαι τί ἐντελεῖται Κύριος περὶ ὑμῶν.
KJVAnd Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the LORD will command concerning you.
JPSAnd Moses said unto them: ‘Stay ye, that I may hear what the LORD will command concerning you.’
9
ThomsonThen the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
BrentonAnd the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν, λέγων,
KJVAnd the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
JPSAnd the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:
10
ThomsonSpeak to the children of Israel, and say, If any man among you, or among your posterity, happen to be defiled by the dead, or be on a far distant journey, he shall keep the passover to the Lord
BrentonSpeak to the children of Israel, saying, Whatever man shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or on a journey far off, among you, or among your posterity; he shall then keep the passover to the Lord,
Greekλάλησον τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραὴλ, λέγων, ἄνθρωπος ἄνθρωπος, ὃν ἐὰν γένηται ἀκάθαρτος ἐπὶ ψυχῇ, ἀνθρώπου, ἢ ἐν ὁδῷ μακρὰν ὑμῖν, ἢ ἐν ταῖς γενεαῖς ὑμῶν, καὶ ποιήσει τὸ πάσχα Κυρίῳ ἐν τῷ μηνὶ τῷ δευτέρῳ ἐν τῇ τεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτῃ ἡμέρᾳ·
KJVSpeak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto the LORD.
JPS’Speak unto the children of Israel, saying: If any man of you or of your generations shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto the LORD;
11
Thomsonin the second month. On the fourteenth day they shall keep it towards evening. They shall eat it with unleavened bread, and bitter herbs;
Brentonin the second month, on the fourteenth day; in the evening they shall offer it, with unleavened bread and bitter herbs shall they eat it.
Greekτὸ πρὸς ἑσπέραν ποιήσουσιν αὐτὸ, ἐπʼ ἀζύμων καὶ πικρίδων φάγονται αὐτό.
KJVThe fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
JPSin the second month on the fourteenth day at dusk they shall keep it; they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs;
12
Thomsonthey shall not leave any of it till the morning; nor shall they break a bone of it. They shall keep it according to the ritual of the passover.
BrentonThey shall not leave of it until the morrow, and they shall not break a bone of it; they shall sacrifice it according to the ordinance of the passover.
GreekΟὐ καταλείψουσιν ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ πρωῒ, καὶ ὀστοῦν οὐ συντρίψουσιν ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ· κατὰ τὸν νόμον τοῦ πάσχα ποιήσουσιν αὐτό.
KJVThey shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it.
JPSthey shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break a bone thereof; according to all the statute of the passover they shall keep it.
13
ThomsonAnd if any man be clean, and not on a distant journey, and fail to keep the passover, that soul shall be cut off from among his people; because he did not offer this gift to the Lord, in its appointed time, such a man shall bear his sin.
BrentonAnd whatsoever man shall be clean, and is not far off on a journey, and shall fail to keep the passover, that soul shall be cut off from his people, because he has not offered the gift to the Lord in its season: that man shall bear his iniquity.
GreekΚαὶ ἄνθρωπος ὃς ἐὰν καθαρὸς ᾖ, καὶ ἐν ὁδῷ μακρὰν οὐκ ἔστι, καὶ ὑστερήσῃ ποιῆσαι τὸ πάσχα, ἐξολοθρευθήσεται ἡ ψυχὴ ἐκείνη ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτῆς, ὅτι τὸ δῶρον Κυρίῳ οὐ προσήνεγκε κατὰ τὸν καιρὸν αὐτοῦ· ἁμαρτίαν αὐτοῦ λήψεται ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος.
KJVBut the man that is clean, and is not in a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, even the same soul shall be cut off from among his people: because he brought not the offering of the LORD in his appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.
JPSBut the man that is clean, and is not on a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, that soul shall be cut off from his people; because he brought not the offering of the LORD in its appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.
14
ThomsonAnd if there come to you a proselyte in your land, and he choose to keep the passover to the Lord, he must keep it according to its ritual, and according to its institution. You shall have one law for the proselyte and for him born in the land.
BrentonAnd if there should come to you a stranger in your land, and should keep the passover to the Lord, he shall keep it according to the law of the passover and according to its ordinance: there shall be one law for you, both for the stranger, and for the native of the land.
GreekἘὰν δὲ προσέλθῃ πρὸς ὑμᾶς προσήλυτος ἐν τῇ γῇ ὑμῶν, καὶ ποιήσῃ τὸ πάσχα Κυρίῳ, κατὰ τὸν νόμον τοῦ πάσχα, καὶ κατὰ τὴν σύνταξιν αὐτοῦ ποιήσει αὐτό· νόμος εἷς ἔσται ὑμῖν καὶ τῷ προσηλύτῳ καὶ τῷ αὐτόχθονι τῆς γῆς.
KJVAnd if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the LORD; according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land.
JPSAnd if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the LORD: according to the statute of the passover, and according to the ordinance thereof, so shall he do; ye shall have one statute, both for the stranger, and for him that is born in the land.’
15
ThomsonNow on the day when the tabernacle was erected, the cloud covered the tabernacle—the house of the testimony: and in the evening there was over the tabernacle an appearance like that of fire, which continued till the morning.
BrentonAnd in the day in which the tabernacle was pitched the cloud covered the tabernacle, the place of the testimony; and in the evening there was upon the tabernacle as the appearance of fire till the morning.
GreekΚαὶ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ᾗ ἐστάθη ἡ σκηνὴ, ἐκάλυψεν ἡ νεφελη τὴν σκηνὴν, τὸν οἶκον τοῦ μαρτυρίου· καὶ τὸ ἑσπέρας ἦν ἐπὶ τῆς σκηνῆς ὡς εἶδος πυρὸς ἕως πρωΐ.
KJVAnd on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning.
JPSAnd on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, even the tent of the testimony; and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until morning.
16
ThomsonThus it was continually. The cloud covered it by day: and there was an appearance of fire during the night.
BrentonSo it was continually: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night.
GreekΟὕτως ἐγίνετο διαπαντός· ἡ νεφέλη ἐκάλυπτεν αὐτὴν ἡμέρας, καὶ εἶδος πυρὸς τὴν νύκτα.
KJVSo it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night.
JPSSo it was alway: the cloud covered it, and the appearance of fire by night.
17
ThomsonAnd when the cloud ascended from the tabernacle, the Israelites thereupon began their march; and at what place soever the cloud halted there the Israelites encamped.
BrentonAnd when the cloud went up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel departed; and in whatever place the cloud rested, there the children of Israel encamped.
GreekΚαὶ ἡνίκα ἀνέβη ἡ νεφέλη ἀπὸ τῆς σκηνῆς, καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα ἀπῇραν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραήλ· καὶ ἐν τῷ τόπῳ οὗ ἂν ἔστη ἡ νεφέλη, ἐκεῖ παρενέβαλον οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραήλ.
KJVAnd when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents.
JPSAnd whenever the cloud was taken up from over the Tent, then after that the children of Israel journeyed; and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel encamped.
18
ThomsonBy the command of the Lord the Israelites were to encamp, and by the command of the Lord, they were to march.
BrentonThe children of Israel shall encamp by the command of the Lord, and by the command of the Lord they shall remove: all the days in which the cloud overshadows the tabernacle, the children of Israel shall encamp.
GreekΔιὰ προστάγματος Κυρίου παρεμβαλοῦσιν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ διὰ προστάγματος Κυρίου ἀπαροῦσι· πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ἐν αἷς σκιάζει ἡ νεφέλη ἐπὶ τῆς σκηνῆς, παρεμβαλοῦσιν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραήλ.
KJVAt the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.
JPSAt the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they encamped: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they remained encamped.
19
Thomson—
BrentonAnd whenever the cloud shall be drawn over the tabernacle for many days, then the children of Israel shall keep the charge of God, and they shall not remove.
GreekΚαὶ ὅταν ἐφέλκηται ἡ νεφέλη ἐπὶ τῆς σκηνῆς ἡμέρας πλείους, καὶ φυλάξονται οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ τὴν φυλακὴν τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ οὐ μὴ ἐξάρωσι.
KJVAnd when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not.
JPSAnd when the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not.
20
ThomsonAnd when the cloud was continued over the tabernacle many days, the Israelites were to keep the watch of their God, and not remove. And such was to be the case when the cloud overshadowed the tabernacle but a few days. At the command of the Lord, they were to encamp; and at the command of the Lord, they were to march.
BrentonAnd it shall be, whenever the cloud overshadows the tabernacle a number of days, they shall encamp by the word of the Lord, and shall remove by the command of the Lord.
GreekΚαὶ ἔσται ὅταν σκεπάζῃ ἡ νεφέλη ἡμέρας ἀριθμῷ ἐπὶ τῆς σκηνῆς, διὰ φωνῆς Κυρίου παρεμβαλοῦσι, καὶ διὰ προστάγματος Κυρίου ἀπαροῦσι.
KJVAnd so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the LORD they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed.
JPSAnd sometimes the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the LORD they remained encamped, and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed.
21
ThomsonAnd this was to be the case when the cloud was from evening till morning. When the cloud ascended in the morning, they were to take up their march, whether it was day or night.
BrentonAnd it shall come to pass, whenever the cloud shall remain from the evening till the morning, and in the morning the cloud shall go up, then shall they remove by day or by night.
GreekΚαὶ ἔσται ὅταν γένηται ἡ νεφέλη ἀφʼ ἑσπέρας ἕως πρωῒ, καὶ ἀναβῇ ἡ νεφέλη τοπρωῒ, καὶ ἀπαροῦσιν ἡμέρας ἢ νυκτός.
KJVAnd so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed.
JPSAnd sometimes the cloud was from evening until morning; and when the cloud was taken up in the morning, they journeyed; or if it continued by day and by night, when the cloud was taken up, they journeyed.
22
Thomson—
BrentonWhen the cloud continues a full month overshadowing the tabernacle, the children of Israel shall encamp, and shall not depart.
GreekΜηνὸς ἡμέρας πλεοναζούσης τῆς νεφέλης σκιαζούσης ἐπʼ αὐτῆς, παρεμβαλοῦσιν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ οὐ μὴ ἀπάρωσιν.
KJVOr whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed.
JPSWhether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, abiding thereon, the children of Israel remained encamped, and journeyed not; but when it was taken up, they journeyed.
23
ThomsonBecause at the command of the Lord, they were to move, and at the command of the Lord, by the ministry of Moses, they kept the watch of the Lord.
BrentonFor they shall depart by the command of the Lord:—they kept the charge of the Lord by the command of the Lord by the hand of Moses.
GreekὍτι διὰ προστάγματος Κυρίου ἀπαροῦσι· τὴν φυλακὴν Κυρίου ἐφυλάξαντο διὰ προστάγματος Κυρίου ἐν χειρὶ Μωυσῆ.
KJVAt the commandment of the LORD they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
JPSAt the commandment of the LORD they encamped, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed; they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.