And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past. — Or, of yore. Phinehas may have held this office of president (nagîd, 1 Chronicles 9:11) of the warders before he became high priest, just as Eleazar had held a similar position during the lifetime of Aaron (Numbers 3:32). Nothing is said of it elsewhere.
And the Lord was with him. — Rather, The Lord be with him! a pious ejaculation, such as the Jews of later times were wont to use in speaking of a departed worthy; and of interest to us as indicating a belief in continued existence after death. (Comp. 1 Chronicles 22:11; 1 Chronicles 22:16.)