Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, “Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, in that he was jealous with my jealousy among them, so that I didn’t consume the children of Israel in my jealousy. Therefore say, ‘Behold, I give to him my covenant of peace. It shall be to him, and to his offspring after him, the covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was jealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel.’ ”
Parallel Translations
-
Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
“Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, in that he was jealous with my jealousy among them, so that I didn’t consume the children of Israel in my jealousy.
Therefore say, ‘Behold, I give to him my covenant of peace.
It shall be to him, and to his offspring after him, the covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was jealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel.’ ”
-
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy.
Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace:
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.
Show all 3 translations
-
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:
'Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned My wrath away from the children of Israel, in that he was very jealous for My sake among them, so that I consumed not the children of Israel in My jealousy.
Wherefore say: Behold, I give unto him My covenant of peace;
and it shall be unto him, and to his seed after him, the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was jealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel.'
Cross-references (54)
- Malachi 2:4-5 (v12) You will know that I have sent this commandment to you, that my covenant may be with Levi,” says Yahweh of Armies. “My covenant was with…
- Deuteronomy 32:16 (v11) They moved him to jealousy with strange gods. They provoked him to anger with abominations.
- Deuteronomy 32:21 (v11) They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God. They have provoked me to anger with their vanities. I will move them to jealousy…
- Psalms 78:58 (v11) For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their engraved images.
- Hebrews 2:17 (v13) Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things…
Show all 54 cross-references
- Exodus 40:15 (v13) You shall anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may minister to me in the priest’s office. Their anointing shall be to them…
- 1 Chronicles 6:4-15 (v13) Eleazar became the father of Phinehas, Phinehas became the father of Abishua, Abishua became the father of Bukki. Bukki became the father…
- Psalms 106:31 (v13) That was credited to him for righteousness, for all generations to come.
- Isaiah 54:10 (v12) For the mountains may depart, and the hills be removed; but my loving kindness will not depart from you, and my covenant of peace will not…
- Jeremiah 33:18 (v13) The Levitical priests won’t lack a man before me to offer burnt offerings, to burn meal offerings, and to do sacrifice continually.”
- Jeremiah 33:22 (v13) As the army of the sky can’t be counted, and the sand of the sea can’t be measured; so I will multiply the offspring of David my servant…
- Malachi 3:1 (v12) “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me; and the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to his temple; and the…
- Romans 10:2-4 (v13) For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and…
- 1 Peter 2:5 (v13) You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God…
- Exodus 20:5 (v11) you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on…
- Exodus 32:30 (v13) On the next day, Moses said to the people, “You have sinned a great sin. Now I will go up to Yahweh. Perhaps I shall make atonement for…
- Numbers 13:29 (v12) Amalek dwells in the land of the South. The Hittite, the Jebusite, and the Amorite dwell in the hill country. The Canaanite dwells by the…
- 1 Kings 14:22 (v11) Judah did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they committed, above all that…
- 1 Kings 19:10 (v13) He said, “I have been very jealous for Yahweh, the God of Armies; for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your…
- 1 Kings 19:14 (v13) He said, “I have been very jealous for Yahweh, the God of Armies; for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your…
- 1 Chronicles 6:50-53 (v13) These are the sons of Aaron: Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son, Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son, Meraioth…
- Psalms 69:9 (v13) For the zeal of your house consumes me. The reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.
- Isaiah 61:6 (v13) But you will be called Yahweh’s priests. Men will call you the servants of our God. You will eat the wealth of the nations. You will boast…
- Zephaniah 1:18 (v11) Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them in the day of Yahweh’s wrath, but the whole land will be devoured by the…
- Zephaniah 3:8 (v11) “Therefore wait for me”, says Yahweh, “until the day that I rise up to the prey, for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may…
- John 2:17 (v13) His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will eat me up.”
- 1 Corinthians 10:22 (v11) Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
- 2 Corinthians 11:2 (v11) For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I married you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
- Hebrews 7:17-18 (v13) for it is testified, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” For there is an annulling of a foregoing…
- 1 Peter 2:9 (v13) But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of…
- 1 John 2:2 (v13) And he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.
- Revelation 1:6 (v13) and he made us to be a Kingdom, priests to his God and Father—to him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
- Exodus 22:5 (v11) “If a man causes a field or vineyard to be eaten by letting his animal loose, and it grazes in another man’s field, he shall make…
- Exodus 29:9 (v13) You shall clothe them with belts, Aaron and his sons, and bind headbands on them. They shall have the priesthood by a perpetual statute.…
- Exodus 34:14 (v11) for you shall worship no other god; for Yahweh, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
- Numbers 16:46 (v13) Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, put fire from the altar in it, lay incense on it, carry it quickly to the congregation, and make…
- Deuteronomy 4:24 (v11) For Yahweh your God is a devouring fire, a jealous God.
- Deuteronomy 29:20 (v11) Yahweh will not pardon him, but then Yahweh’s anger and his jealousy will smoke against that man, and all the curse that is written in this…
- Joshua 7:12 (v13) Therefore the children of Israel can’t stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become…
- Joshua 7:25-26 (v11) Joshua said, “Why have you troubled us? Yahweh will trouble you today.” All Israel stoned him with stones, and they burned them with fire…
- Joshua 24:19 (v11) Joshua said to the people, “You can’t serve Yahweh, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God. He will not forgive your disobedience nor…
- 1 Samuel 2:30 (v13) “Therefore Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, ‘I said indeed that your house and the house of your father should walk before me forever.’ But…
- 2 Samuel 21:3 (v13) and David said to the Gibeonites, “What should I do for you? And with what should I make atonement, that you may bless Yahweh’s…
- 2 Samuel 21:14 (v11) They buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zela, in the tomb of Kish his father: and they performed…
- Psalms 106:23 (v11) Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had Moses, his chosen, not stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, so that he…
- Psalms 106:30 (v11) Then Phinehas stood up and executed judgment, so the plague was stopped.
- Ezekiel 16:38 (v11) I will judge you, as women who break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will bring on you the blood of wrath and jealousy.
- Ezekiel 34:25 (v12) “ ‘I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause evil animals to cease out of the land. They will dwell securely in the…
- Nahum 1:2 (v11) Yahweh is a jealous God and avenges. Yahweh avenges and is full of wrath. Yahweh takes vengeance on his adversaries, and he maintains wrath…
- John 3:36 (v11) One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
- Acts 22:3-5 (v13) “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict…
- Hebrews 7:11 (v13) Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people have received the law), what further need was there for…
- 1 Kings 2:27 (v13) So Solomon thrust Abiathar out from being priest to Yahweh, that he might fulfill Yahweh’s word, which he spoke concerning the house of Eli…
- Psalms 119:139 (v13) My zeal wears me out, because my enemies ignore your words.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (18 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
Private notes
Saved on this device only — never synced or sent anywhere.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv11, 13 He was zealous to maintain my glory.
He was zealous to maintain my glory.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On v13 Num 25:13 And he shall have it, and his…
Num 25:13 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.
Ver. 13. Because he was zealous for his God.] Enraged, as a jealous man, with a holy hatred of sin, and inflamed with love to God, Quem aliter amare non didicerat, as Chrysostom speaks of Basil. Non amat, qui non zelat, saith Augustine. {a} He is no friend to God that is not zealous for him. To one that desired to know what kind of man Basil was, there was presented in a dream, saith the history, a pillar of fire, with this motto, Talis est Basilius, Basil is such a one, all on a light fire for God.
Read full note →
{a} Contra Adamant., cap. 13.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv11–13 He was zealous, fervent and resolute and valiant,
He was zealous, fervent and resolute and valiant,
for my sake, for my satisfaction and vindication.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv10–13 Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron…
Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest,.... His descent and genealogy is observed as before, partly to show that he was not a private person, but a man of public authority that did the above fact; perhaps one of the judges that Moses ordered to slay every man his man, and therefore what he did by the order of the supreme magistrate; and partly to show that he was heir apparent to the office of high priest, who in course was to succeed in it; nor should this action of his hinder it, but rather serve to secure and confirm it to him:
hath turned away my wrath from the children of Israel; caused the effects of it to cease, by slaying the two persons, as before related:
Read full note →
while he was zealous for my sake among you; for the glory of God, the honour of his law, the credit of religion, and the good of his people, which is a good cause to be zealously affected in, Gal 4:18 in which he was a type of Christ, whose zeal for the house of God, for the doctrine, discipline, and worship of it, for the salvation of his people, and the glory of God thereby, ate him up, Psa 69:9 as well as in his turning away wrath from Israel; sin is the cause of wrath, and for it is revealed from heaven; the people of God are deserving of it as others; but Christ has bore it for them, and so has delivered them from it and all the effects of it, and they are secure from its coming upon them:
that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy; by the plague sent among them, being so highly provoked with their shocking abominations.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv12–13 My covenant of peace - That is, the covenant…
My covenant of peace - That is, the covenant of an everlasting priesthood, as it is expounded, ver. 13, which is called a covenant of peace, partly with respect to the happy effect of this heroical action of his, whereby he made peace between God and his people; and partly with regard to the principal end of the priestly office, which was constantly to do that which Phinehas now did, even to meditate between God and men, to obtain and preserve his own and Israel's peace and reconciliation with God, by offering up sacrifices and incense, and prayers, to God on their behalf, as also by turning them away from iniquity, which is the only peace- breaker, and by teaching and pressing the observation of that law, which is the only bond of their peace.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On v12 Verse 12. - 13. My covenant of peace -…
Verse 12. - 13. My covenant of peace - of an everlasting priesthood] As the word peace implied all kinds of blessings, both spiritual and temporal, it may mean no more here than the promise of God, to grant him and his family the utmost prosperity in reference to both worlds. The everlasting priesthood refers properly to the priesthood of Christ which was shadowed out by the priesthood under the law; no matter in what family it was continued. Therefore the כהנת עולם kehunnath olam, or eternal priesthood, does not merely refer to any sacerdotal ministrations which should be continued in the family of Phinehas, during the Mosaic dispensation, but to that priesthood of Christ typified by that of Aaron and his successors. The priesthood alone is everlasting, and a covenant or grant of that was made to Phinehas, and his descendants. The Jews reckon twelve high priests of the race of Phinehas, from this time to the days of Solomon, nine more from that time to the captivity, (see 1Ch 6:4; 1Ch 6:15), and fifteen from their return to the time of Antiochus Eupator, the last of whom was Onias, slain by Lysias. Ezra, the great priest and scribe, was of this line, Ezr 7:1; Ezr 7:5. The family of Ithamar, uncle of Phinehas, had the priesthood for about 150 years; but it was restored to the family of Phinehas in the person of Zadok the priest, 1Ch 6:50, in which it continued in the whole about 950 years. Probably the Maccabees were of the same family; but though this is not certain, there is no evidence against it. See Calmet. God therefore sufficiently fulfilled his promise; he gave to him and his descendants almost the utmost temporal length that could be given of that priesthood which is, in its own nature, eternal. Here then the word עולם olam means, not a limited time, but what is eternal in its duration. See Clarke on Ge 21:33.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv11–13 Num 25:11. That I consumed not the children of…
Num 25:11. That I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy — When God ascribes jealousy and the passions to himself, in Scripture, he speaks after the manner of men, and in conformity to our apprehension. The meaning is, that his own glory and the salvation of mankind render it necessary that he should proceed with severity against some particular crimes, like that wherewith men proceed when they are prompted by jealousy and other angry passions.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv11–12 Hath turned my wrath away - The signal example…
Hath turned my wrath away - The signal example thus made of a leading offender by Phinehas was accepted by God as an expiation (literally in Num 25:13 “covering;” see the note at the typical significance Lev 1:4), and the exterminating wrath which had gone forth against the whole people was arrested Psa 106:30.
The act of Phinehas must be regarded as exceptional. It was an extraordinary deed of vengeance, justified by the singular atrocity of the crime which provoked it; but it does not confer the right to every man to punish summarily any gross and flagrant breach of divine law committed in his presence. Compare the act of Mattathias (1 Macc. 2:24-26).
Read full note →
The act was its own justification. Its merit consisted in the evidence it gave that the heart of Phinehas was right before God. He was “zealous with God’s zeal,” and abhorred the presumptuous wickedness of Zimri, as God abhorred it. He therefore risked his own life by dealing according to their deserts with two influential and defiant evil-doers; and his act, done in the face of Moses and the people, and for them, was accepted by God as a national atonement; and rewarded by the people (compare the leadership assigned to him in Num 31:6; Jos 22:13).
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv12–13 Peace. He has the honour of restoring the people…
Peace. He has the honour of restoring the people to peace and to my favour, so that my covenant shall still subsist with them. He shall surely be his father’s successor in the high priesthood, and shall not be prevented by death.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On v11 Phinehas . . . hath turned my wrath away--This…
Phinehas . . . hath turned my wrath away--This assurance was a signal mark of honor that the stain of blood, instead of defiling, confirmed him in office and that his posterity should continue as long as the national existence of Israel.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv11–12 PHINEHAS REWARDED WITH AN EVERLASTING PRIESTHOOD, Num_25:10-13.
PHINEHAS REWARDED WITH AN EVERLASTING PRIESTHOOD, Num_25:10-13.
11. Zealous for my sake — Literally, with my zeal, not zeal for me, but “my zeal” — the vehement zeal of Jehovah, with which this grandson of Aaron was suddenly baptized. R.V., “Jealous with my jealousy.”
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv11–13 11. jealous with my jealousy] His jealousy was so…
11. jealous with my jealousy] His jealousy was so deep and real that it adequately expressed the jealousy of Jehovah, rendering it unnecessary for Jehovah to express it further by consuming Israel. Cf. the ‘godly sorrow’ felt by the Corinthians with regard to a similar sin (2Co_7:9-11). The divine ‘jealousy’ is that which makes Him claim an exclusive right over His people. This right was violated when they gave themselves up to whoredom. Cf. Exo_20:5; Exo_34:14, Nah_1:2, Jas_4:5 (R.V. marg.).
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv11–13 (11) Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of…
(11) Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest . . . —The description of Phinehas, as in Num_25:7, is repeated in full, as if to denote that he was not a private individual, but one invested with public authority.
While he was zealous for my sake among them.—Better, in that he was jealous with my jealousy (or, in that he displayed my jealousy).
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv10–11 The Lord spake unto Moses, saying. On the Divine…
The Lord spake unto Moses, saying. On the Divine commendation here bestowed upon the act of Phinehas see the note at the end of the chapter. In the Hebrew Bible a new section begins here.
HOMILIES BY E.S. PROUT Vers. 10-13. A terrible atonement.
Read full note →
We see in this narrative
I THE NATION WHICH GOD HAD BLESSED, CURSED THROUGH ITS OWN SINS. The Israelites, impregnable against the curses of Balaam, succumb to his wiles. We discover parts of a plot. In the foreground are women (true daughters of Eve the tempter), alluring feasts, flatteries, idolatries. In the background we discern the malignant face of the covetous Balaam, (Num_31:16 Rev_2:14) and behind him his master the devil. Learn to discriminate the seen and unseen agents of temptation, (Eph_6:12) and to guard against the devices of our diabolical foe. (2Co_2:11 2Co_11:14, 2Co_11:15) Sin did what Balaam could not do. The wrath of God, the plague on the thousands of Israelites, the execution of the ringleaders, follow in quick succession. Note the destructiveness of sin. Of every sinner it may be said as of Achan, "That man perished not alone in his iniquity." The guilt of the nation reached its climax in the shamelessness and audacity of the sin of Zimri. While shame, one of the precious relies of paradise, survives, there is more hope of restoration, but when shame is gone, sin is ripe for judgment. (Jer_5:7-9 Jer_6:15) If God"s wrath had continued to burn, the whole nation must have perished.
II THE WRATH REMOVED BY A TERRIBLE ATONEMENT.
1. The essence of it was not an outward act, but a state of heart. It was Phinehas" zeal for God which made the act possible and acceptable. Just so in the atonement, of a very different character, made by the Lord Jesus Christ, the essence of it was the zeal for the will of God which prompted the obedience unto death, the offering of the body of Christ once for all. (Heb_10:5-10)
2. The form of the atonement was a terrible manifestation of the righteousness of God in the prompt punishment of the two audacious transgressors. They expiated their crime by their lives. Phinehas" conduct, being inspired by godly zeal, is justified by God himself. Instead of being treated as a crime, it is regarded as a covering over of the nation"s sin. Where that sin reached its climax, there it received such sudden retribution as to stamp it as an abominable thing which God hates. Zimri and his paramour are branded with eternal infamy, while Phinehas is rewarded by "the covenant of an everlasting priesthood." We learn thus that there is more than one way of making an atonement to God. In both cases it is by the manifestation of the righteousness of God, (Rom_3:21, Rom_3:25) but in different ways.
3. By his holy wrath flaming forth against sin, whether immediately (e.g., Jos_7:11, Jos_7:12) or through the zeal of a man of God. The weeping of the people was not an atonement, for it did not manifest the righteousness of God as the act of Phinehas did.
4. By his righteous grace allowing another to interpose on behalf of sinners, to do or to suffer whatever God sees needful for a manifestation of his righteousness in the covering over of sin. Thus Moses (Exo_32:30-33) and Paul (Rom_9:3) were willing to have made atonement, if possible. Thus the sinless Son of God did atone, (Rom_3:21-26) and sin is covered not by the destruction of the sinner, but by the righteous pardon of penitents trusting the atonement of Christ. P.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v10 Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron…
Num_25:10-13
Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned My wrath away . . . because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel
Read full note →
Godly zeal
We can lay no claim to saintship without zeal.
When wickedness increases, then zeal must be bold and daring.
I. The source of godly zeal The indwelling of the Holy Ghost. Grace in the heart must break forth.
II. Godly zeal has its seat in the heart.
III. Mark the object of holy zeal. Good works. It is the fervour of heavenly benevolence.
IV. True zeal is blended with knowledge. To enlighten ourselves, we must have light ourselves.
V. Zeal is forgetful of self. (The Study.)
The zeal of Phinehas
Phinehas appears as a rainbow on the bosom of a storm. He is as a flower on a wild heath, a fertile spot in a parched desert, pure ore in a rude quarry, a fragrant rose upon a thorny hedge, faithful among faithless.
1. He was zealous for his God. He could not fold his arms and see Gods law insulted, His rule defied, His will despised, His majesty and empire scorned. The servants heart blazed in one blaze of godly indignation. He must be up to vindicate his Lord. His fervent love, his bold resolve, fear nothing in a righteous cause.
2. Mark, next, the zeal of Phinehas is sound-minded. It is not as a courser without rein, a torrent unembanked, a hurricane let loose. Its steps are set in orders path. It executes Gods own will in Gods own way. The mandate says, let the offenders die. He aims a death-blow, then, with obedient hand. The zeal, which heaven kindles, is always a submissive grace.
3. This zeal wrought wonders. It seemed to open heavens gates for blessing to rush forth. God testifies, He hath turned My wrath away from the children of Israel. He hath made atonement for them. My name is rescued from dishonour. The haughty sinner is laid low. Therefore I can restrain My vengeance. Men see that sin is not unpunished; mercy may now fly righteously to heal. Zeal is indeed a wonder-working grace. Who can conceive what countries, districts, cities, families, and men, have sprung to life, because zeal prayed?
4. Next mark how heavenly smiles beam on the zeal of Phinehas. Honour decks those who honour God. The priesthood shall be his. This lessen ends not here. Phinehas for ever stands a noble type. Yes, Christ is here. In Phinehas we see Christs heart, and zeal, and work, and mightily constraining impulse. In Phinehas we see Christ crowned, too, with the priesthoods glory. (Dean Law.)
The circumstances which moved the zeal of Phinehas
I. There was the enormity of their sin. It included false doctrine and sinful practices, between which there is a closer connection than is always recognised.
II. There was the character of the instigator to the sin. Balaam, a strange mixture of a man.
III. There was the extent to which the sin prevailed. Among all classes.
IV. There was the misery occasioned by the sin. To the guilty, to their connections, to the community.
V. There was the dishonour done to God.
1. We should be zealous in religion.
2. Our zeal in contending against the sins of others should begin in zeal in contending against our own. (George Brooks.)
The zealous spirit
In fact, a zealous spirit is essential to eminent success in anything. Perhaps there is the more need to insist upon this because enthusiasm is out of fashion. It is bad form nowadays to admire anything very warmly. To be strenuously in earnest is almost vulgar. Especially is this so in regard to religion. Our Joe is a very good young man, said an old nurse the other day; but he do go so mad on religion. That was the fly in the ointment--which spoilt all. Did not Pope say long ago, The worst of madness is a saint run mad? And he only put in terse and pithy speech what other people say more clumsily.
1. And yet how can one be a Christian without being an enthusiast? Indifferent, half-hearted Christians are not true Christians at all. I would thou weft either cold or hot, says our Lord. Lukewarmness is his utter abhorrence. And the author of Ecce Homo cannot be said to exaggerate in his declaration that Christianity is an enthusiasm, or it is nothing.
2. And what good work has ever been wrought without enthusiasm? Said a great preacher, If you want to drive a pointed piece of iron through a thick board, the surest way is to heat your skewer. It is always easier to burn our way than to bore it. Only a soul all flame is likely to accomplish much in the teeth of the difficulties which beset every lofty enterprise. The great movements which have most widely blessed the world have been led by men of passionate earnestness and fervid zeal. It is not the cool, calculating votaries of prudence who have done the work. Was it not written of our Lord Himself, The zeal of Thy house hath eaten me up? (G. Howard James.)
The faithful bring a blessing upon their families
We have seen the zeal of Phinehas in executing judgment upon the evil-doers, which brought a grievous plague upon the people. His spirit was stirred within him, being first stirred by the Spirit of God, which moved him to take a spear, and to thrust through the adulterer and adulteress. Now we shall see the reward that was given unto him for that work which was acceptable unto God, and profitable unto His people. He hath a covenant of peace made with him, and the priesthood confirmed unto him and his posterity. God is so pleased with the obedience of His people that He will show mercy to such as belong to them. This is plentifully proved unto us in the Word of God. When God saw Noah righteous before Him in that corrupt age, He made all that belonged unto him partakers of a great deliverance, saying unto him, Enter thou and all thine house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before Me in this age (Gen_7:1). This appeareth in the person of Abraham, when God had called him out of his country, and from his kindred, and made a covenant with him to bless him (Gen_12:2-3). This is oftentimes remembered unto us in the Acts of the Apostles. When God had opened the heart of Lydia that she attended unto the things which Paul delivered, She was baptized and all her household (Act_16:15; Act_16:33). The reasons to enforce this doctrine are evident, if we consider either the person of God or the condition of the faithful.
1. God hath in great mercy and goodness promised to show favour not only to the faithful themselves, but to the seed of the faithful that fear Him (Exo_20:6; Exo_34:6-7).
2. As the mercy of God is great, so the faith of the godly is effectual for themselves and their children. This is the tenor of the covenant that God hath made with all the faithful. God will be our God, and the God of our seed after us (Gen_17:7). For as a father that purchaseth house or land, giveth thereby an interest unto his son therein; so he that layeth hold on the promise which God hath made to all godly parents, doth convey it unto his children; so that albeit they want faith by reason of their years, yet they are made partakers of Christ, and ingrafted into His body. The uses remain to be handled.
(1) We learn that the children of faithful parents have right to baptism, and are to receive the seal of the covenant. This the apostle teacheth (1Co_7:14).
(2) We are taught on the other side that evil parents bring the curse of God into their houses, and upon their posterity.
(3) It is required of us to repent and believe the gospel, that so we may procure a blessing upon ourselves and our children. (W. Attersoll.)
.
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v13 (See Scofield "Exo 29:33").
atonement
(See Scofield "Exo 29:33").
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv10, 12 turned my rage away from the people of Israel
turned my rage away from the people of Israel
God's rage is spoken of as if it were something that could be physically pushed aside in order to stop it. AT: "caused me to no longer be angry with the people of Israel" (See: Metaphor)
Read full note →
I have not consumed the people of Israel in my fierceness
God is spoken of as if he were a fierce animal that could have eaten up the people of Israel. AT: "I have not destroyed the people of Israel in my terrible anger" (See: Metaphor)
translationWords
Yahweh
Moses
Phinehas
rage
turn
Israel
zeal
consume
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv10, 13 25:10-13 Israel’s identity as the Lord’s people was severely…
25:10-13 Israel’s identity as the Lord’s people was severely threatened by their unfaithfulness on this occasion. Phinehas was as zealous as God in his pursuit of holiness and justice. As a result, Phinehas and his descendants were granted a special status; God made a special covenant of peace with Phinehas, and qualified men in his family inherited a permanent right to the priesthood (cp. Mal 2:5). This unconditional covenant was similar to that extended to David (see Jer 33:19-22).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.