Phinehas’ role and its significance in verses 12-13 are referred to in similar terms in Sirach 45.23-24 and 1 Maccabees 2.54.

Therefore say: This quote frame introduces what the LORD wants Moses to tell Phinehas as a formal consequence of what Phinehas has done (verse 11). Good News Translation makes it clear that the following words are for Phinehas by rendering this quote frame as “So tell him [Phinehas],” which other languages may find helpful. However, the following quote does not address Phinehas directly since he is referred to in the third person with the pronouns he, him, and his, so it is an indirect quote, which Good News Translation reflects. The Hebrew construction of this quote frame suggests a greater level of formality in this discourse than reflected in Good News Translation, so a better model here is “Therefore, announce to him that…” (similarly NET Bible).

Behold, I give to him my covenant of peace: Behold, I give renders a Hebrew participle and the word hinneh. This construction refers to an imminent and deliberate future action, so it may be translated “Indeed, I am giving” or “I am surely about to give.” Good News Translation uses a more natural verb in English to fit this context of a covenant, saying “I am making a covenant….” For covenant see 10.33. A literal translation of my covenant of peace might suggest that the LORD is making peace with Phinehas. However, the Hebrew word for peace (shalom) does not refer just to the absence of war, but also to prosperity, health and well-being (see the comments on 6.26). New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh renders this phrase as “My pact of friendship” (similarly De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling), the NET Bible footnote has “my pledge of friendship,” and Revised English Bible says “my covenant pledge of prosperity.” For a similar phrase see Isa 54.10; Ezek 34.25; 37.26; and Mal 2.5.

And it shall be to him, and to his descendants after him, the covenant of a perpetual priesthood: This statement clarifies the nature of my covenant of peace. Bible en français courant makes this clear by saying “this covenant, valid for him and for his descendants, makes them priests for all time.” Another good model is “This covenant means that he and his descendants are permanently established as priests” (similarly Good News Translation). For the Hebrew word rendered descendants (literally “seed”), see the comments on 14.24.

Because he was jealous for his God: See the comments on verse 11. This clause may be rendered “because he did not tolerate any rivals to me” (Good News Translation), “because he took impassioned action for his God” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), or “because he was zealous for the honor of his God” (New International Version; similarly NET Bible). Since God is speaking, Good News Translation refers to him in the first person here, which other languages may find helpful.

And made atonement for the people of Israel: For the Hebrew verb rendered made atonement, which literally means “covered,” see 5.8. This clause may be translated “and so he obtained forgiveness for the Israelites” (Bible en français courant, SPCL). The NET Bible footnote here explains that God forgave the Israelites and ended the plague because Phinehas killed the two blatant sinners.

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 .