When Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, saw it: Phinehas saw the Israelite man going into his tent with the Midianite woman. Phinehas was actually the “grandson” (Good News Bible) of Aaron (see Exo 6.25). For Aaron the priest, see the comments on 3.6. Contemporary English Version makes it clear what Phinehas saw by rendering saw it as “saw the couple,” which other languages may find helpful.

He rose and left the congregation: Here the verb rose marks the beginning of an immediate action (see the comments on 16.25), so this clause may be rendered “he immediately left the community.” For the Hebrew word rendered congregation (ʿedah), see the previous verse.

And took a spear in his hand: Many languages prefer a new sentence here (so Good News Bible). A spear was a long, straight rod with a sharp end used for piercing by thrusting. Its circumference was less than the grip of a man’s hand, and its length varied from the height of a man to much longer. It was normally made of wood with a metal head or point. In battle the spear was held in the middle and thrust at the enemy. Only rarely was it thrown. Where possible, translators should choose a word or phrase that indicates that this weapon was held and thrust (much like a knife on the end of a stick) rather than thrown. The phrase in his hand may be left implied (so Good News Bible).

Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .