Numbers 25:13
New International Version
He and his descendants will have a covenant of a lasting priesthood, because he was zealous for the honor of his God and made atonement for the Israelites.”

New Living Translation
In this covenant, I give him and his descendants a permanent right to the priesthood, for in his zeal for me, his God, he purified the people of Israel, making them right with me.”

English Standard Version
and it shall be to him and to his descendants after him the covenant of a perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the people of Israel.’”

Berean Standard Bible
It will be a covenant of permanent priesthood for him and his descendants, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the Israelites.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
and it shall be to him and his descendants after him a covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was zealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
and it shall be for him and for his descendants after him, a covenant of a permanent priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the sons of Israel.’”

NASB 1995
and it shall be for him and his descendants after him, a covenant of a perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the sons of Israel.’”

NASB 1977
and it shall be for him and his descendants after him, a covenant of a perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God, and made atonement for the sons of Israel.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
and it shall be for him and his seed after him, a covenant of a perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the sons of Israel.’”

Amplified Bible
And it shall be for him and his descendants after him, a covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was jealous (impassioned) for [the unique honor and respect owed to] his God and made atonement for the sons of Israel.’”

Christian Standard Bible
It will be a covenant of perpetual priesthood for him and his future descendants, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the Israelites.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
It will be a covenant of perpetual priesthood for him and his future descendants, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the Israelites.”

American Standard Version
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.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
My promise is that he and his descendants will be priests permanently because he stood up for his God and he made peace with the LORD for the Israelites."

Good News Translation
He and his descendants are permanently established as priests, because he did not tolerate any rivals to me and brought about forgiveness for the people's sin."

International Standard Version
for him and for his descendants after him, too, a covenant of perpetual priesthood, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the Israelis."

Majority Standard Bible
It will be a covenant of permanent priesthood for him and his descendants, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the Israelites.”

NET Bible
So it will be to him and his descendants after him a covenant of a permanent priesthood, because he has been zealous for his God, and has made atonement for the Israelites.'"

New Heart English Bible
and it shall be to him, and to his descendants after him, the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was jealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
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.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and it has been to him and to his seed after him [for] a covenant of a continuous priesthood, because that he has been zealous for his God, and makes atonement for the sons of Israel.”

Young's Literal Translation
and it hath been to him and to his seed after him a covenant of a priesthood age-during, because that he hath been zealous for his God, and doth make atonement for the sons of Israel.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And it shall be to him and to his seed after him, the covenant of the priesthood forever, because he was jealous for his God; and he shall expiate for the sons of Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the covenant of the priesthood for ever shall be both to him and his seed, because he hath been zealous for his God, and hath made atonement for the wickedness of the children of Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the covenant of the everlasting priesthood shall be as much for him as for his offspring. For he was zealous on behalf of his God, and he has made expiation for the wickedness of the sons of Israel.”

New American Bible
which shall be for him and for his descendants after him the covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was jealous on behalf of his God and thus made expiation for the Israelites.

New Revised Standard Version
It shall be for him and for his descendants after him a covenant of perpetual priesthood, because he was zealous for his God, and made atonement for the Israelites.’”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he shall have it and his sons after him, the covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the children of Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he shall have and his children after Him, a covenant of the priesthood to eternity, because he was zealous in his God and atoned for the children of Israel.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and he and his seed after him shall have a perpetual covenant of priesthood, because he was zealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Zeal of Phinehas
12Declare, therefore, that I am granting him My covenant of peace. 13It will be a covenant of permanent priesthood for him and his descendants, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the Israelites.” 14The name of the Israelite who was slain with the Midianite woman was Zimri son of Salu, the leader of a Simeonite family.…

Cross References
Psalm 106:30-31
But Phinehas stood and intervened, and the plague was restrained. / It was credited to him as righteousness for endless generations to come.

Malachi 2:4-5
Then you will know that I have sent you this commandment so that My covenant with Levi may continue,” says the LORD of Hosts. / “My covenant with him was one of life and peace, which I gave to him; it called for reverence, and he revered Me and stood in awe of My name.

Hebrews 7:11-17
Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron? / For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well. / He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. ...

Exodus 32:29
Afterward, Moses said, “Today you have been ordained for service to the LORD, since each man went against his son and his brother; so the LORD has bestowed a blessing on you this day.”

1 Samuel 2:30-35
Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained. / Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father’s house, so that no one in it will reach old age. / You will see distress in My dwelling place. Despite all that is good in Israel, no one in your house will ever again reach old age. ...

Deuteronomy 33:8-11
Concerning Levi he said: “Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah. / He said of his father and mother, ‘I do not consider them.’ He disregarded his brothers and did not know his own sons, for he kept Your word and maintained Your covenant. / He will teach Your ordinances to Jacob and Your law to Israel; he will set incense before You and whole burnt offerings on Your altar. ...

1 Chronicles 6:49-53
But Aaron and his sons did all the work of the Most Holy Place. They presented the offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded. / These were the descendants of Aaron: Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son, / Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son, ...

Leviticus 6:22
The priest, who is one of Aaron’s sons and will be anointed to take his place, is to prepare it. As a permanent portion for the LORD, it must be burned completely.

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Isaiah 61:6
But you will be called the priests of the LORD; they will speak of you as ministers of our God; you will feed on the wealth of nations, and you will boast in their riches.

Jeremiah 33:17-22
For this is what the LORD says: David will never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel, / nor will the priests who are Levites ever fail to have a man before Me to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings, and to present sacrifices.” / And the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: ...

Ezekiel 44:15-16
But the Levitical priests, who are descended from Zadok and who kept charge of My sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from Me, are to approach Me to minister before Me. They will stand before Me to offer Me fat and blood, declares the Lord GOD. / They alone shall enter My sanctuary and draw near to My table to minister before Me. They will keep My charge.

Hebrews 5:1-10
Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. / He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is subject to weakness. / That is why he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. ...

1 Chronicles 23:13
The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were set apart forever to consecrate the most holy things, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister before Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name forever.

Revelation 1:6
who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

a prince

Numbers 25:4,5
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…

2 Chronicles 19:7
Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.

chief house.

Numbers 1:23
Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.

Numbers 26:14
These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred.

Jump to Previous
Agreement Atonement Care Children Covenant Descendants Everlasting Honor Honour Israel Israelites Jealous Lasting Perpetual Priesthood Priests Right Seed Zealous
Jump to Next
Agreement Atonement Care Children Covenant Descendants Everlasting Honor Honour Israel Israelites Jealous Lasting Perpetual Priesthood Priests Right Seed Zealous
Numbers 25
1. Israel at Shittim commit unfaithfulness and idolatry
6. Phinehas kills Zimri and Cozbi
10. God therefore gives him an everlasting priesthood
16. The Midianites are to be troubled














It will be a covenant
The term "covenant" in Hebrew is "בְּרִית" (berit), which signifies a solemn agreement or promise. In the biblical context, covenants are divine commitments that God makes with His people, often involving promises and obligations. This covenant is not just a temporary arrangement but a divine promise that carries eternal significance. It reflects God's faithfulness and His desire to establish a lasting relationship with His chosen people.

of perpetual priesthood
The word "perpetual" comes from the Hebrew "עוֹלָם" (olam), meaning everlasting or eternal. The priesthood granted here is not just for a single generation but is intended to last indefinitely. This highlights the enduring nature of God's promises and the importance of the priestly role in maintaining the spiritual well-being of the community. The priesthood is a sacred office, serving as a bridge between God and His people, and this perpetual nature underscores its critical role in the divine plan.

for him and his descendants
This phrase emphasizes the generational aspect of God's covenant. The promise is not limited to the individual but extends to his lineage, ensuring that the blessings and responsibilities of the priesthood are passed down. This reflects the biblical principle of generational blessings and the importance of family heritage in God's economy. It also underscores the idea that faithfulness to God can have lasting impacts beyond one's own life.

because he was zealous for his God
The word "zealous" is derived from the Hebrew "קָנָא" (qana), which conveys a sense of passionate commitment and fervor. This zeal is not a mere emotional response but a deep, abiding dedication to God's honor and holiness. Phinehas's zeal is a model of righteous indignation against sin and a demonstration of his unwavering loyalty to God. It serves as a reminder that true devotion to God often requires bold action and a willingness to stand against unrighteousness.

and made atonement for the Israelites
The concept of "atonement" in Hebrew is "כָּפַר" (kaphar), meaning to cover or to make reconciliation. Phinehas's actions in stopping the plague among the Israelites were seen as an act of atonement, restoring the relationship between God and His people. This foreshadows the ultimate atonement made by Christ, who reconciles humanity to God through His sacrifice. It highlights the necessity of atonement in dealing with sin and restoring fellowship with God.

(13) And he shall have it, and his seed after him.--The covenant of peace, which was made by the blood of the Cross, and all the blessings which belong to that covenant, stand fast with Christ, and are secured to His spiritual seed. (Comp. Psalm 89:28-29.)

Even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood.--Phinehas succeeded his father Eleazar as high priest (Judges 20:28). After a temporary interruption in the succession, which existed in the time of Eli, and continued until the time of David, when there appears to have been a joint high-priesthood, the office was restored by Solomon to Zadok, the descendant of Phinehas, and so continued until the gradual dissolution of the Jewish state. Christ's priesthood is "an unchangeable priesthood" (Hebrews 7:24): "Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec" (Hebrews 7:17).



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
It will be
וְהָ֤יְתָה (wə·hā·yə·ṯāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a covenant
בְּרִ֖ית (bə·rîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1285: A covenant

of permanent
עוֹלָ֑ם (‘ō·w·lām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5769: Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always

priesthood
כְּהֻנַּ֣ת (kə·hun·naṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3550: Priesthood

for him
לּוֹ֙ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

and his descendants,
וּלְזַרְע֣וֹ (ū·lə·zar·‘ōw)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2233: Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

because
תַּ֗חַת (ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

he was zealous
קִנֵּא֙ (qin·nê)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7065: To be, zealous, jealous, envious

for his God
לֵֽאלֹהָ֔יו (lê·lō·hāw)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

and made atonement
וַיְכַפֵּ֖ר (way·ḵap·pêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3722: To cover, to expiate, condone, to placate, cancel

for
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the Israelites.”
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son


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OT Law: Numbers 25:13 And it shall be to him (Nu Num.)
Numbers 25:12
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