Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Numbers 25:11. It’s a really important and complex passage about a man named Phinehas. Here's an explanation designed to be clear and understandable: The Basic Story: This verse describes a situation where Phinehas, who was a priest, acted in a way that angered God. He was so focused on protecting himself – perhaps feeling like he was being praised for something – that he became consumed by jealousy and took action that harmed the Israelites. Here’s a simplified breakdown: “Phinehas, the son of Eleazar…” : This identifies him as a specific person. “…the son of Aaron the priest…” : This clarifies his lineage - he was a member of the priestly class. “…had turned my wrath away from the children of Israel…” : This is the key part. “Wrath” means God’s anger, and this verse says Phinehas stopped his anger from falling on the Israelites. It's like he took steps to prevent a negative consequence from happening. “…while he was zealous for my sake among them…” : This tells us that Phinehas was acting out of pride or perhaps a desire for attention. He was intensely focused on himself being seen as important. “that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy.” : This is where it gets tricky. "Consumed" means to destroy completely. The verse says that Phinehas’s jealousy led him to act in a way that caused harm – he didn't let the Israelites be harmed. What does this mean practically? It was a moment of intense pride: This is the most likely explanation. Phinehas was so focused on his own importance and perhaps feeling superior, that he acted impulsively and dangerously. It’s about responsibility: The verse also suggests a lesson about responsibility. Phinehas’ actions had consequences, and he should have been more thoughtful and considerate of the well-being of others. Important Context (Briefly): This story is part of a larger narrative in the Book of Numbers. It's about God's judgment on Israel and their disobedience. The verse highlights that even righteous people can make mistakes when driven by pride or anger. In short, this verse describes a moment where Phinehas’s jealousy led him to act wrongly against the Israelites, showing a need for humility and careful consideration. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the verse? Discuss the symbolism behind this story (like the idea of pride)? Connect this passage to a larger theme in the Bible (like forgiveness or justice)?