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.
Phinehas ... hath turned my wrath away. This assurance was a signal mark of honour, that the stain of blood, instead of defiling, confirmed him in the priestly office, and that, in token of the divine commendation of his pious zeal, and as a perpetual memorial of his faithfulness, his posterity should continue as long as the national existence of Israel (cf. Deuteronomy 6:25; Deuteronomy 24:13; Psalms 106:31).