Keraia
Numbers 25

Numbers 25:7

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

Translations

Modern
On seeing this, Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, got up from the assembly, took a spear in his hand,
Traditional
And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand;
Literal
And Phinehas son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, saw it, and he rose from the midst of the congregation, and he took a spear in his hand,
Latin
Quod cum vidisset Phinees filius Eleazari filii Aaron sacerdotis, surrexit de medio multitudinis, et arrepto pugione,

Original

Hebrew
English
On seeing this, Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, got up from the assembly, took a spear in his hand,

Notes

Numbers 25:7–9

Phinehas, acting as a representative of the priestly family, killed Zimri and Cozbi with one thrust of a spear (25:7–8). The text likely suggests that they were engaged in sexual relations at that moment.

Phinehas acted with zeal, which means strong passion to defend God’s honor. His action brought the plague to an end (25:1–3).

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 Holy War Purity and Identity

People

Aaron: Moses' brother, first high priest of Israel Eleazar: Son of Aaron, high priest after his father Phinehas: Aaron's grandson; zealous priest who opposed idolatry

Glossary

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

Topics

Alliance and Society with the Enemies of God: Lead to Idolatry Dart: A Light Javelin Decision: Phinehas Fear of God: Phinehas, in Turning Away the Anger of God at the Time of the Plague Fellowship with the Wicked 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: Phinehas Spear: Different Kinds of Javelins Spear: Often Retained in the Hand of the Person Using Women: The Midianite Woman in the Camp of Israel, Taken in Adultery Zimri: A Chief of Simeon