And 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?
These men said to him, 'We have become ceremonially unclean because we touched a dead person. Why should this prevent us from bringing our offering to the LORD at the appointed time along with the rest of the Israelites?'
These men are asking why their ceremonial uncleanness from touching a dead body should exclude them from participating in an important religious observance with their community.
📚 Historical Context
This occurred during Israel's second year in the wilderness when God had commanded them to observe the Passover. According to Jewish law, anyone who touched a dead body became ceremonially unclean and was temporarily excluded from religious activities. These men had become unclean through this contact but still wanted to participate in the sacred Passover celebration.
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