7900. 'In the first [month], on the fourteenth day of the month' means at the beginning of a holy state. This is clear from the meaning of 'in the first' as the beginning, as above in 7887, 7891; and from the meaning of 'the fourteenth day' as a holy state. For the meaning of the number fourteen as what is holy, see above in 7842; and for 'day' as state, 7881. The reason why fourteen means what is holy is that it arises from seven, and where seven is mentioned in the Word what is holy is meant. For the meanings held by simple numbers are much the same as those held by compound ones, 5291, 5335, 5708. Since the Passover was the holiest of feast days, it was laid down that it should be celebrated on the fourteenth day of the month, last seven days, and be brought to an end on the twenty-first day, which also means what is holy. It was therefore also established that those who were unable to celebrate the Passover in the first month should do so the following month, likewise on the fourteenth day. This provision is stated in Moses as follows,

When any man is unclean because of a dead body, ¹ or is on a journey far away, among you or your descendants, ² he shall still keep the Passover to Jehovah. In the second month, on the fourteenth day between the evenings they shall keep it. Numbers 9:10-11.

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