Keraia
Numbers 25

Numbers 25:13

The Zeal of Phinehas · Numbers 25:6–18
Read Numbers 25

Translations

Modern
It will be a covenant of permanent priesthood for him and his descendants, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the Israelites.”
Traditional
And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.
Literal
And it shall be to him and his seed after him a covenant of an everlasting priesthood, upon that he was zealous for his God and made atonement upon the sons of Israel.”
Latin
…et erit tam ipsi quam semini ejus pactum sacerdotii sempiternum: quia zelatus est pro Deo suo, et expiavit scelus filiorum Israël.

Original

Hebrew
English
It will be a covenant of permanent priesthood for him and his descendants, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the Israelites.”

Notes

Numbers 25:13

The deaths of Zimri and Cozbi helped remove sin from the community of Israel. Their judgment stopped the spread of sin among the people.

Phinehas’s action had atoning value. This means it helped turn away God’s judgment and restore the people’s relationship with him. His act brought cleansing and peace to Israel (see study note on Leviticus 1:4).

Numbers 25:10–13

Israel’s identity as the Lord’s people was in great danger because they were unfaithful at this time. Their sin threatened their special relationship with God.

Phinehas showed strong zeal (deep commitment and passion) for God’s holiness and justice. He acted in a way that matched God’s own concern for what is right. Because of this, God gave Phinehas and his descendants a special blessing.

God made a covenant of peace (a lasting promise of peace and favor) with Phinehas. The men in his family who were qualified could serve as priests forever (compare Malachi 2:5).

This covenant was unconditional (it did not depend on future actions). It was similar to the covenant God made with David (see Jeremiah 33:19–22).

Numbers 25:1–18

Israel was camped across the Jordan River from Jericho. They were almost ready to enter the land and begin the conquest. However, at this important moment, they fell into serious sin.

Balaam advised Israel’s enemies to lead the people into sexual immorality and idolatry at Baal-peor (31:16).

He could not harm Israel with a curse, so he chose another way. He led them into sin through lust and the worship of false gods.

The early church faced similar temptations. Believers were warned about idolatry and sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 10:6, 11).

Theme notes and profiles

Balaam Eleazar God’s Covenant with David Holy War

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Areli, Arelite Balaam Deuteronomy, Book of Idols, Idolatry Joshua, Book of Malachi, Book of Midian, Midianite Moab, Moabites Numbers, Book of Peor (Place) Phinehas Shittim (Place)

Topics

Covenant with Phinehas Decision: Phinehas Fear of God: Phinehas, in Turning Away the Anger of God at the Time of the Plague Israel: Punished by a Plague in Consequence, Twenty-Four Thousand People Die Phinehas: Religious Zeal of, in Killing the Israelitish Woman Who had Committed Abomination Religious Zeal in Punishing Evil People: Phinehas Religious Zeal: Phinehas The High Priest: Office of, Promised to the Posterity of Phinehas for his Zeal Under the Law Atonement: Extraordinary Cases of Zeal: Holy: Phinehas Zeal: should be Exhibited for the Glory of God