Parashat Pinchas (פִּינְחָס – “Phinehas”)

Numbers 25:10–30:1

1. The Zeal of Phinehas

Numbers 25:10–15

• God praises Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron the high priest, for his zealous action in stopping the plague caused by Israel’s sin with the Moabite women and the worship of Baal Peor (see previous parasha).

• Because he was zealous for God’s holiness, God makes a covenant of peace with Phinehas:

  “Behold, I give him My covenant of peace… it shall be for him and his descendants after him, a covenant of a perpetual priesthood.” (Num. 25:12–13)

2. A New Census of Israel

Numbers 26:1–65

• A new census is taken of the Israelite men aged 20 and older—this is the second generation after the Exodus.

• Total number: 601,730 men, nearly the same as the first census (Num. 1).

• This census prepares for the division of the land of Canaan among the tribes.

3. The Daughters of Zelophehad

Numbers 27:1–11

• The five daughters of Zelophehad approach Moses with a legal request: their father died without sons, so they ask to inherit his land.

• God affirms their request and establishes new laws of inheritance:

  “The daughters of Zelophehad are right… you shall surely give them a hereditary possession.” (Num. 27:7)

4. Joshua Appointed as Moses’ Successor

Numbers 27:12–23

• God tells Moses to ascend Mount Abarim and view the Promised Land before he dies.

• Moses, concerned for the people, asks God to appoint a new leader.

• Joshua, who has served Moses faithfully, is commissioned publicly before Eleazar the priest and the congregation:

  “Take Joshua the son of Nun… and lay your hand on him.” (Num. 27:18)

5. Offerings and Sacred Times

Numbers 28–29

• God gives Moses detailed laws about daily, weekly (Shabbat), and festival offerings, including:

  • Tamid – the daily morning and evening burnt offering (28:1–8)

  • Shabbat offering (28:9–10)

  • Rosh Chodesh (New Moon) offerings (28:11–15)

  • Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread (28:16–25)

  • Feast of Weeks/Shavuot (28:26–31)

  • Feast of Trumpets/Rosh Hashanah (29:1–6)

  • Day of Atonement/Yom Kippur (29:7–11)

  • Feast of Booths/Sukkot (29:12–38)

Each festival is tied to specific sacrifices, revealing a divine rhythm of worship and remembrance.

6. Vows and Promises

Numbers 30:1–2

• The parashah closes with laws regarding vows:

  “If a man makes a vow to the LORD… he shall not violate his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.” (Num. 30:2)

Messianic Insight:

• Pinchas’ zeal is echoed in Yeshua’s zeal for His Father’s house (John 2:17). True priesthood involves passion for righteousness and bold action.

• The appointment of Joshua (Yehoshua) to lead Israel into the Promised Land foreshadows Yeshua the Messiah, who brings His people into the fullness of the Kingdom.

• The daughters of Zelophehad remind us that God listens to the cry for justice and honors faith-filled boldness.

• The sacrificial calendar and offerings anticipate the once-for-all offering of Messiah (Hebrews 10:10).