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.

脚注:

7891. 'And on the first day there shall be a holy convocation' means that at the beginning all must be together. This is clear from the meaning of 'the first day' as the beginning, that is to say, of the deliverance from those who have molested, and so from damnation; and from the meaning of 'a holy convocation' as the regulation that all must be together. The people were called to convocations in order that the whole of Israel might be assembled together and so represent heaven; for all were divided into tribes, tribes into families, and families into households. Regarding the representation of heaven and the communities there by the tribes, families, and households of the children of Israel, see 7836. Here was the reason why those convocations were called 'holy' and were held at each feast, Leviticus 23:27, 36; Numbers 28:26; 29:1, 7, 12. And the feasts themselves were consequently called 'holy convocations', for all male persons were commanded to be present at them. The fact that the feasts were referred to as 'holy convocations' is clear in Moses,

These are the appointed feasts of Jehovah, which you shall call holy convocations, to present a fire-offering to Jehovah. Leviticus 23:37.

The fact that all male persons were to be present on those occasions is clear in the same author,

Three times in the year all your male persons shall appear before Jehovah your God in the place which He will have chosen - at the feast of unleavened bread, at the feast of weeks, and at the feast of tabernacles. Deuteronomy 16:16.