The Story of Phinehas

Dr. Couch, what is going on in the story of Phinehas as given in Numbers 25:1-13? ANSWER:  Phinehas was a second generation descendant from Aaron the high priest (v. 7). His name means "dark-skinned." An Israelite was having relations with a Midianite woman in his tent. Phinehas the priest took a spear and went in and ran both of them through. This became a dire and sober warning to the people of Israel not to interact with the pagan people of the land.    Because of his tenacity, Phinehas with given a "covenant of peace" and his family would be perpetual priests. Phinehas, being jealous for his God, had "made an atonement for the sons of Israel" (v. 13). The "covenant of peace" is not a formal covenant but it became an agreement between God and Phinehas for ever. As well, "it shall be for him and his descendants after him, a covenant of a perpetual priesthood" (v. 13a).    This act of Phinehas became a sign of his salvation. The wording is the same as the faith of Abraham that caused God to see him as declared righteous, or saved by his trust. "And God reckoned (or accounted) Abraham's faith unto him for righteousness" (Gen. 15:6).    This is given to us in Psalms 106:30-31 which reads: "Phinehas stood up and interposed (interceded for Israel); and so the plague (against the people) was stopped (or stayed). And it was reckoned to [Phinehas] for righteousness, to all generations forever." In other words, all generations would speak of the act of trust shown by Phinehas. He would be considered righteous just as Abraham.    The Jewish orthodox Rabbis comment on Phinehas:    "With the covenant of peace God is saying that 'He is assuring him of My friendly attitude toward him' (Rabbi Rashi). The word 'covenant' is here used, not in the sense of a compact between two persons, but as an unconditional promise on God's part. In addition to the Divine blessing with which Phinehas' action was rewarded, it received the grateful admiration of succeeding ages. In Psalm 106, we read that his zeal 'was counted unto him for righteousness, unto all generations for ever.'"    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (7-10)