Phinehas

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=Family=

Phinehas descends from the line of Aaron. He is the son of Aaron's son Eleazar and his wife Putiel (Exod 6:25). Phinehas is the ancestor of other famous individuals including Zadok (1 Chron 6:53) and Ezra (Ezra 7:5). His explicit tie with them in these passages legitimizes the claim that these individuals correctly occupy the role of priest according to the Phinehas Covenant.

=Famous Acts=

Baal Peor
Phinehas' major fame comes from his act at Baal Peor. In light of Israel's national apostasy from YHWH to foreign gods, Phinehas serves as a prime example of following God's command to execute the leadership (Num 25:4, 7). He slayed Zimri, a leader of the tribe of Simeon, and Cozbi, a Midianite princess (Num 25:14) with a spear (Num 25:7). These two individuals committed shameful acts right in front of the tabernacle of meeting. Phinehas' act partially satisfied God's wrath against the nation (Num 25:8). For his bravery and zeal for the Lord, God promises that his specific line will bear the blessing and privilege of being the Aaronic priest forever (Num 25:11-13). This particular act is also commemorated in Psalm 106:30.

Conquest
Phinehas also appears when the tribes on the western side of the Jordan confront the two and a half tribes that remained on the east side (Josh 22:13-30). While the confrontation was partly due to a misunderstanding of a memorial altar constructed by Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manaasseh, it illustrates Phinehas' continued zeal for the Lord and desire for the purity of worship to Him. It is probably not coincidental that the events of Baal Peor are explicitly mentioned in this meeting (Josh 22:17).

First Benjaminite Civil War
Phinehas' last appearance is seen in the time period of the Judges (Judges 20:28) during the First Benjaminite Civil War. He mediates on behalf of the nation at Bethel (Judges 20:26-27) and through this allows the nation to finally conquer and punish the tribe of Benjamin for its heinous crime (cf. Judges 20:1-13). Once again, his appearance is positive and shows a priest pointing the nation back to the Lord.

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