Definition: The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, [and] eat it with unleavened bread and bitter [herbs].
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from Numbers 9:11. Itโs a bit strange at first, but it describes a very specific ritual in ancient Jewish tradition. Hereโs the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Story: This verse tells us about a sacrifice made to God when someone was pregnant and nearing her due date โ specifically, during the second month of pregnancy. It's a symbolic act meant to appease God and ensure a healthy baby. Let's unpack it piece by piece: โNumbers 9:11โ : This is the verse itself, found in the Book of Numbers. Itโs a passage from the Old Testament. โThe fourteenth day of the second monthโฆโ : This tells us when this happened โ the fourteenth day of the second month (February in the Gregorian calendar). It was a very important and specific time. โ[and] eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.โ This is the key part. It describes exactly what they were to consume: Unleavened Bread: They were to eat this bread โ which wasn't made with yeast (the leavening agent that makes bread rise). Bitter Herbs: They were to add bitter herbs to it. What was the purpose? The tradition, as described in the Bible, was a way to test the womanโs faith and her connection with God. It was believed that by consuming this food, she was demonstrating her willingness to trust in God's provision for her child. It was a symbolic offering of devotion. Important Note: This is a very ancient tradition, and its exact origins are debated among scholars. The details are somewhat mysterious and have been interpreted differently over time. Itโs more about the symbolism of the ritual than a literal description of what was eaten. --- In short, this verse describes a symbolic offering โ a small piece of bread with bitter herbs โ made to God during pregnancy to show devotion and ensure a healthy baby. Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss the significance of this ritual in more detail?