Topical Bible: Zeal: Holy: Phinehas

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Topical Encyclopedia

Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron and son of Eleazar, is a prominent biblical figure known for his zealous actions in upholding the holiness of God among the Israelites. His account is primarily found in the Book of Numbers, where his fervent commitment to God's commandments is vividly illustrated.

Biblical Account

The most notable account of Phinehas's zeal is recorded in Numbers 25. During Israel's wilderness journey, the people began to engage in idolatry and immorality with the Moabite women, leading to God's anger against Israel. In response to this transgression, God sent a plague upon the Israelites. Amidst this crisis, an Israelite man named Zimri brought a Midianite woman, Cozbi, into the camp in blatant defiance of God's commands.

Phinehas, witnessing this act, took immediate and decisive action. Numbers 25:7-8 states, "When Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw this, he left the assembly, took a spear in his hand, and followed the Israelite into the tent. He drove the spear through both of them—through the Israelite and the woman—so the plague against the Israelites was halted."

Divine Approval and Covenant of Peace

Phinehas's act of zeal was met with divine approval. God commended Phinehas for his fervor, which turned away His wrath from the Israelites. Numbers 25:11-13 records God's words: "Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned My wrath away from the Israelites, for he was as zealous as I am for My honor among them, so that in My zeal I did not put an end to them. Therefore tell him I am making My covenant of peace with him. It will be a covenant of a lasting priesthood for him and his descendants, because he was zealous for the honor of his God and made atonement for the Israelites."

This covenant of peace granted Phinehas and his descendants a perpetual priesthood, signifying God's enduring favor and the importance of zeal in maintaining the sanctity of His people.

Legacy and Significance

Phinehas's zeal is often cited as an example of righteous indignation and the importance of upholding God's holiness. His actions underscore the necessity of confronting sin and idolatry within the community of believers. Phinehas's legacy is one of fervent devotion to God, serving as a model for those who seek to honor God with unwavering commitment.

In later biblical references, Phinehas is remembered for his leadership and faithfulness. Psalm 106:30-31 recounts, "But Phinehas stood and intervened, and the plague was restrained. It was credited to him as righteousness for endless generations to come." This acknowledgment highlights the enduring impact of his zeal and the righteousness attributed to him.

Phinehas's account serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of zeal in the life of a believer, demonstrating that fervent dedication to God's commands can lead to divine favor and lasting legacy.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 25:11,13
Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has 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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

To the Presbyter Renatus.
... are celebrating your righteousness, your zeal, your boldness ... have emulated the fervour
of the famous Phinehas. ... persuade the very sacred and holy archbishop [1896 ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/cxvi to the presbyter renatus.htm

Acts 17:16-17. Athens.
... Like Moses, Phinehas, and Elijah, "his spirit was stirred within him when he saw
the city wholly given to ... He was stirred with holy zeal for His Master's glory. ...
/.../chapter ix acts 17 16-17 athens.htm

Letter Xlvi. To a Fallen virgin.
... Phinehas, the zealous, because he can now no more take his spear ... things of the Lord,
that she may be holy both in ... as it were to give wings to your zeal as I ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter xlvi to a fallen.htm

There have Come to Me Ransomers from among the Saints, but None ...
... 7. The lance of Phinehas again has caused me to fear ... Benaiah in the holy temple slew
Jacob, justly as it ... Of zeal and strength David was possessed; the lion and ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xxxix there have come.htm

Moab is My Washpot
... Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and the plague would have
devoured them, had not the holy zeal of Phinehas turned away the divine anger. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/moab is my washpot.htm

A Sermon for the Time Present
... The wife of Phinehas, the son of Eli, cried out in her dying agony, "The ... the truth,
sooner see churches in the depths of poverty full of holy zeal than rich ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 33 1887/a sermon for the time.htm

Letter Lv. To Amandus.
... not only to the Father but also to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. ... in Job, knowledge
of things to come in Daniel, faith in Peter, zeal in Phinehas and Paul ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lv to amandus.htm

The Story of the Baptist, from his Last Testimony to Jesus to his ...
... Pharisees, and who act like Zimri, but expect the reward of Phinehas.' [3139] Besides ...
God, which had - when a youth - driven him burning with holy zeal into the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxviii the story of.htm

Preface
... for courage, for patience, for unwearied zeal, for abiding ... with a reverent reference
to Holy Scripture. ... have erred greatly, like Hophni, and Phinehas, and Annas ...
/.../ryle/the upper room being a few truths for the times/preface.htm

On the Baptism of Christ.
... to His servants no doubt in their zeal for the ... and patched garment, are clothed in
the holy and most ... fornicator was thrust through by the zealous Phinehas [2158 ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/on the baptism of christ.htm