Psalm 106:30

Psalm 106:30

Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed.

a. NLT: But Phinehas had the courage to intervene, and the plague was stopped.

b. NIV: But Phinehas stood up and intervened, and the plague was checked.

c. Young’s Literal Translation: And Phinehas standeth, and executeth judgment, And the plague is restrained,

d. Amplified Bible: Then stood up Phinehas [the priest] and executed judgment, and so the plague was stayed.

e. Septuagint: Then Phinees stood up, and made atonement: and the plague ceased.

f. Stone Edition Torah/Writings/Prophets: And Phinehas arose and executed judgment, and the plague was halted.

1. “Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment…”

a. stood up [5975 * ‘amad][Strong: a primitive root; to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive):--abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, + serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-)stand (by, fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry.

b. executed judgment [6419 * palal][Strong: primitive root; to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray:--intreat, judge(-ment), (make) pray(-er, -ing), make supplication.]

1). The variety of translations reflect the variety of definitions. Phinehas “intervened”, he definitely “executed judgment”. The Septuagint says he “made atonement”. What is interesting is that the over whelming use of this Hebrew word is to “pray”.

2). Numbers 25:1-13 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.

25:2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.

25:3 And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.

25:4 And the Lord said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the Lord against the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away from Israel.

25:5 And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.

25:6 And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

25:7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand;

25:8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.

25:9 And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.

25:10 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

25:11 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.

25:12 Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace:

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.

2. “…and so the plague was stayed.”

a. plague [4046 * maggephah][Strong: a pestilence; by analogy, defeat:--(X be) plague(-d), slaughter, stroke.]

b. stayed [6113 * ‘atsar][Strong: a primitive root; to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble:--X be able, close up, detain, fast, keep (self close, still), prevail, recover, refrain, X reign, restrain, retain, shut (up), slack, stay, stop, withhold (self).]

c. The putting to death of this Israelite and the Midianite woman stopped the plague of twenty three thousand Israelites because of their fornication. Not only that but God rewarded Phinehas for his zeal with a covenant of peace, but as the next verse in this text declares he and his generations were declared righteous.

1). Numbers 25:7-13 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand;

25:8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.

25:9 And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.

25:10 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

25:11 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.

25:12 Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace:

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.