Numbers 25:13

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וְהָ֤יְתָה H1961
וְהָ֤יְתָה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לּוֹ֙ H0
לּוֹ֙
Strong's: H0
Word #: 2 of 15
וּלְזַרְע֣וֹ And he shall have it and his seed H2233
וּלְזַרְע֣וֹ And he shall have it and his seed
Strong's: H2233
Word #: 3 of 15
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
אַֽחֲרָ֔יו after H310
אַֽחֲרָ֔יו after
Strong's: H310
Word #: 4 of 15
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
בְּרִ֖ית him even the covenant H1285
בְּרִ֖ית him even the covenant
Strong's: H1285
Word #: 5 of 15
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
כְּהֻנַּ֣ת priesthood H3550
כְּהֻנַּ֣ת priesthood
Strong's: H3550
Word #: 6 of 15
priesthood
עוֹלָ֑ם of an everlasting H5769
עוֹלָ֑ם of an everlasting
Strong's: H5769
Word #: 7 of 15
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
תַּ֗חַת H8478
תַּ֗חַת
Strong's: H8478
Word #: 8 of 15
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
אֲשֶׁ֤ר because H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר because
Strong's: H834
Word #: 9 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
קִנֵּא֙ he was zealous H7065
קִנֵּא֙ he was zealous
Strong's: H7065
Word #: 10 of 15
to be (causatively, make) zealous, i.e., (in a bad sense) jealous or envious
לֵֽאלֹהָ֔יו for his God H430
לֵֽאלֹהָ֔יו for his God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 11 of 15
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וַיְכַפֵּ֖ר and made an atonement H3722
וַיְכַפֵּ֖ר and made an atonement
Strong's: H3722
Word #: 12 of 15
to cover (specifically with bitumen)
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 13 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בְּנֵ֥י for the children H1121
בְּנֵ֥י for the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 14 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 15 of 15
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis & Commentary

The covenant gave Phinehas and his descendants 'an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.' His action secured atonement—removing wrath through judgment of sin. This anticipates Christ's atoning work that satisfies divine justice. Phinehas's priesthood foreshadows Christ's eternal priesthood that truly turns away wrath forever.

Historical Context

The Zadokite line of priests descended from Phinehas (1 Chronicles 6:4-8), serving prominently throughout Israel's history. Ezekiel's temple vision reserves priestly service for Zadok's sons because of their faithfulness (Ezekiel 44:15). Faithfulness in crisis secured blessing for generations.

Questions for Reflection

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