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Pinchas
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Just then, in the sight of Moshe and the whole community of Isra'el, as they were
weeping at the entrance to the tent of meeting, a man from Isra'el came by,
bringing to his family a woman from Midyan.
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When Pinchas the son of El'azar, the son of Aharon the cohen, saw it, he got up
from the middle of the crowd, took a spear in his hand,
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and pursued the man from Isra'el right into the inner part of the tent, where he
thrust his spear through both of them- the man from Isra'el and the woman through
her stomach. Thus was the plague among the people of Isra'el stopped;
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nevertheless, 24,000 died in the plague.(Num 25:6-9 CJB)

Where Hard-Hearted Meets Hardcore
Shalom! What an opening scene for this weeks parsha! Scandal! Rebellion!
Seduction! Betrayal! Murder! Justice! Whoever said Torah lacked passion needs to
re-read this weeks portion, but before we can examine the scene we really need to
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have this situation in proper context if we intend to explore some of the deeper
meanings of the subtext. Just like we saw last week God oftentimes teaches us
something spiritual through the natural. And so the title of this weeks parsha is
Pinchas or as some translations renders it, Phinehas. So who was he, and why is
his name elevated to the position of a title of one of our parshas? An attempt to
provide some balance after having endured the doggedly determined and stiff-
necked Korach, is the LORD now showcasing someone on the other side of the
pendulum perhaps?
Allow me first to draw your attention though to a rampantly growing
problem. Have you noticed as we continue making our way through the
wilderness, despite the deathly consequences of their rebellion, more and more
personalities and people within the camp of Israel are becoming, dare I say, defiant
towards Elohim? Where has the pursuit of Holiness amongst the people gone?
Where has the Holy reverence evaporated to? I cant help but have my memory
drawn to Apostle Shauls pivotal reminder that worldly and empty chatter leads to
further ungodliness, spreading like gangrene
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.
Pinchas is the son of Elazar who is the son of Aaron, Israels first Cohen
Hagadol or High Priest. Ever examine names in Hebrew? A good Bible software
program comes in handy, and there are websites if you have internet access that
can provide excellent support, but I find it interestingnames tend to fit the
surrounding times an individual under observation is living in. Aaron, means
Light-bringer. He is a foreshadowing of our Messiah the servant. In rabbinic
commentary he was recognized as the peacemaker. Ever speaking the kind,
encouraging word, Aaron had the type of spirit that was said to make folks want to
live right. Elazar, Aarons son who stepped in the gap after Nadab and Abihu
offered strange fire to Elohim means God is my helper. Pinchas, who we read in
this portion, would become the next in line to become Israels High Priest, means
mouth of brass. Isnt that just like a kick in the pants? Mouth of brass? So, weve
descended from the illustrious Light-Bringer, to the mindful God is my helper,
and now to the not so regal-soundingMouth of Brass. In the western mindset

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2Tim.2:16-17
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this type of meaning if taken out of context might become misconstrued when
studying Pauls Love chapter in 1Corinthians 13
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.
But lets examine Pinchas name a little further. Havent we all been reading
what some might describe as a suspicious amount about Brass, Bronze & Copper
as of late? Essentially the same figurative meanings, Brass and Bronze are one in
the same, both being an amalgam of Copper mixed with a percentage of Tin, and
when mixed, the metal became much, much harderable to be used in the
construction of weaponry, shields and armor. But we also see Brass used in the
construction of the censer of incensethe same kind used in the showdown
between Aaron and Korach and his 250 men of renown
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. We saw it used again
when the Israelites murmured against Moshe and Aaron and God sent poisonous
serpents who could overcome their deadly bite only if they were to physically
look upon that Brass serpent erected on a pole that Moshe stood up for all to
look upon
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. So what we find in a very real sense is where the Israelite people
demonstrated a hard-heart towards Gods covenant, Pinchas displayed a hard-core
commitment to honoring it! Which category do we desire to be in? Right.
So if were going to start putting it all together weve got to look at Pinchas
in the Hebraic alright? Lets break it down:
H6372 pyn
e
chas ,pee-nekh-aws'. Apparently from H6310 and a
variation of H5175; mouth of a serpent; Pinechas, the name of three Israelites: -
Phinehas.
H6310 Peh, peh. From H6284; the mouth (as the means of blowing),
whether literally or figuratively (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or
side; adverbially (with preposition) according to: - accord (-ing as, -ing to), after,
appointment, assent, collar, command (-ment), X eat, edge, end, entry, + file, hole,
X in, mind, mouth, part, portion, X (should) say (-ing), sentence, skirt, sound,
speech, X spoken, talk, tenor, X to, + two-edged, wish, word.


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1Cor.13:1
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Numbers 16:17
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Numbers 21:9
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H6310 From H6284
Strongs #6310: AHLB#: 1373-A (N) 1373) T= ( PH) ac: Blow co: Mouth ab: ?: The
pictograph = is a picture of the mouth. A mouth is the edge of anything such as
the place of the beard, a sword, a region. The edge or border, is often referring to
all that is within the borders, the whole country.
H6284 pa'ah , or paw-aw'. A primitive root; to puff, that is, blow away:
- scatter into corners.
H6284
Strongs #6284: AHLB#: 1373-D (V) 1373) T= ( PH) ac: Blow co: Mouth
ab: ?: The pictograph = is a picture of the mouth. A mouth is the edge of
anything such as the place of the beard, a sword, a region. The edge or border, is
often referring to all that is within the borders, the whole country. This parent root
is identical to both [= and >=.

H5175 nachash, naw-khawsh'. From H5172; a snake (from its hiss): -
serpent.
H5172 nachash, naw-khash'. A primitive root; properly to hiss, that is,
whisper a (magic) spell; generally to prognosticate: - X certainly, divine,
enchanter, (use) X enchantment, learn by experience, X indeed, diligently observe.
H5172
Strongs #5172: AHLB#: 2395 (V)
2395) mn' (2l. NHhSh) Bronze
V) mn' (2l. N-HhSh) - Divine: To learn something through divination.
[Unknown connection to root;] [freq. 11] (vf: Piel) |kjv: enchantment, divine,
enchanter, indeed, certainly, learn, experience, diligently, observe| {str: 5172}
H5172 nachash BDB (Brown-Driver-Briggs) Definition: 1) to practice
divination, divine, observe signs, learn by experience, diligently observe, practice
fortunetelling, take as an omen;1a) (Piel)1a1) to practice divination; 1a2) to
observe the signs or omens. Part of Speech: verb A Related Word by BDB/Strongs
Number: a primitive root Same Word by TWOT Number: 1348
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Peh & the Power of the Incas
Alright, so lets recap that: Pinchas is comprised essentially of two words
which we shall discuss here. First, we begin with the Peh, and its significant
because it speaks of a mouth. Remember, you may have heard
but its important to repeat for easy recall, the Hebrew
language is just like electricity, the words and letters possess
both a negative and a positive charge. Depending on the
context youll discover words connote either a negative or
positive meaning depending on the environment theyre
couched in, alright? But here the Peh is referring
specifically to the edge of something, or its borders (go back
and read the Hebrew definitions again if you need to take a
minute). Intriguing, hasnt much of the Israelites journey
been learning that HaShems Torah, Regulations and Judgments have been borders
to protect and preserve life for Israel? And havent we seen that part of Israels
recent struggle was to push across pagan borders to remove those contrary to
Gods Word so that they could push into The Land of Promise? Originally Israel
sought to tip-toe into Canaan using the kings highway along the edge of the
border of pagan territory. God told them No! You push throughI will drive them
out!
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Borders and boundaries are important to God!
Now then, much like borders and boundaries, so are the corners and the
opening of our mouth, because out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks
yes?
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Another implicit lesson about man, or Adambeing the Adamah, or part of
the Land, where Gods tent is, where He tabernacles, which is why He is so
adamant about getting sin out of the campwhich is why He is constantly
pleading for us to check our heart, rend our heart, to cleanse our heart, purify our
heart, to give Him our heart! Because if theres uncleanness in the camp, it will
infect everyone else if left untendedthus the sin of Lshon Hara. Is it really any
wonder why when we read about the ashes of the Red Heifer that Torah told us if a
man died in his tent, every vessel that did not have a covering secured on it was to
be destroyed? Abba told us to button it up for a reason! Evil speech is no minor

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Exo.34:11
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Lu.6:45
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issue, for it is the death of many if left to skulk through the campthis is what
happened with Korach, this is what happened with the people the day after Korach,
and this is what happened with Israel by way of Balaams counselthat word for
counsel in Hebrew is the word dabar, or words. And it was Balaams spoken
words that would lead to the compromise of Israels borders!
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The Incas
So weve addressed Peh, now the Incas. If you study out Pinchas name
youll soon discover that the second root word is
naw-khash'. Its the same root we found in
week before lasts portion, Chukkat, or
Regulation in regards to those fiery serpents. In
Numbers 21:5 we read that the people began to
speak against God and Moses and so God sent
fiery serpents to bite the people. Here in Pinchas
we have the same root word and if you will turn back to page four of our study you
will discover that it means among other thingsbronze, to observe signs, to learn
by experience, and to diligently observe. It can also mean filthiness, lust, and
harlotry
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. In the positive sense, as observed in Pinchas we observe the 3-letter root
word nachash again. NunChetShin. Nun means son, life, or seed. Chet
means divide, but in the positive sense it also means to protect, or fence-off.
According to Rabbi Munk, The (shin) represents two Names of God: Shaddai,
the All-Sufficient, Unlimited One, and Shalom, Peace. With that one word, shad
(Shin-Dalet), enough, the Unlimited One fixed the measure of all objects,
established the boundaries of all forces, and set the moral limits within which
people are to live
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. Just like Pinchas did, can you see him living up to his name?
Pinchas was zealous for the boundaries God established for Israel to live in.
Pictographically strung together we now know that Pinchas name means he
created a fence to protect life by diligently observing Gods boundaries!

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Num.31:16
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Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament 1349a; Ezekiel 16:36, Brown-Driver-Briggs 639b
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The Wisdom in the Hebrew Alphabet, Rabbi Michael L. Munk, Chap.21 Shin, p.207
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The Physics of Bronze
Were observing this peculiar trait of
Hebrew, how it can mean something so
nefarious one minute, and in another
scenario be used to describe an act of
redemption. In the negative it suggests
divination, fortune-telling, enchantment and
casting spells. This is best observed the first
time the word is actually used, all the way
back in Beresheet with Adam and Chava.
Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God
had made. And he said to the woman, "Indeed, has God said, 'You shall not eat
from any tree of the garden '?" (Gen 3:1 NAS)
The serpent. The naw-kash. It whispered, used enchantment, it practiced
the art of charming, likesnake-charming. It practiced the art of fortune-telling.
Through the use of diligent observation, and observing signs, they can then tell
you something about yourself that you supposedly have kept a mystery. Did God
really say that Eve? All the serpent did was activate Eves nature to rebel
awakening the yetzer-hara, or evil inclination. All Balaam did was whisper into
the ear of an all-too-willing Balak, just like the serpent in the garden. Tempt Israel
with the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes (daughters of Midian).
Do you therefore set out the handsomest of such of your daughters as are
most eminent for beauty, and proper to force and conquer the modesty of those that
behold them, and these decked and trimmed to the highest degree you are able.
Then do you send them to be near the Israelites camp and give them in charge,
that when the young men of the Hebrews desire their company, they allow it them;
and when they see that they are enamored of them, let them take their leaves; and if
they entreat them to stay, let them not give their consent till they have persuaded
them to leave off their obedience to their own laws and the worship of that God
who establishes, and to worship the gods of the Midianites and Moabites; for by
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this means God will be angry at them. Accordingly, when Balaam had suggested
this counsel to them, he went his way
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What did Adonai say?
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"Watch yourself that you make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land into
which you are going, lest it become a snare in your midst.
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"But rather, you are to tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and
cut down their Asherim
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-- for you shall not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is
Jealous, is a jealous God--
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lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land and they play the
harlot with their gods, and sacrifice to their gods, and someone invite you to eat of
his sacrifice;
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and you take some of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters play the
harlot with their gods, and cause your sons also to play the harlot with their gods.
(Exo 34:12-16 NAS)
Beloved, in Numbers 25:11 it says that Pinchas turned away the wrath of
God because he was jealous with His (Elohims) jealousy. The word is kaw-naw',
taken from Strongs #H7065.

H7065: AHLB# (Ancient Heb. Lexicon, Benner Book): 1428) '~
(] QN) ac: Acquire co: Nest ab: Zealous: The pictograph ~ is a picture of the
sun at the horizon and the gathering of the light, the ' is a picture of a seed.
Combined these mean "gathering for the seeds". The parent birds go about
gathering materials to build a nest where they will raise their seeds (eggs). (eng:
coin - for purchasing)
['~ (N. QNA) Zealous: The parent bird will guard over and
protect the nest and eggs from predators. Man can guard over the family, wife,
possessions in a positive way (protect, from an enemy) or in a negative way (by
not trusting or a desire to have anothers possessions).
V) ['~ (N. Q-NA) - Zealous: [freq. 33] (vf: Hiphil, Piel) |kjv: envy, jealous,
zealous, zeal| {str: 7065}

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The Works of Josephus, book four chapter 6, p.111
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One of the absolute best
demonstrations of this word aside
from Phinehas display can be seen in
the stirring show of the agitated small
bird chasing down the raptor. It
captures the essence of what it means
to be zealous or jealous for your
family because this tiny bird thinks
not for its own safety but for the
preservation of its children. Qana' as shown in the Paleo-Hebrew graphic above is
rooted in the two-letter word qen. The Quf-Nun
connection means to gather for the seed, and to nest.
When there is the threat of an outside predator destroying
the family, this tiny bird demonstrates the most heroic
behavior for the sake of the eggs. This is what Adonai
does for us yes? Does He not desire to dwell among us
in our midst? Etz says One of thecommentatorssees Phinehasreplacing
Aaron as part of a generational shift in leadership. Just as the stern and demanding
Moses was balanced by Aaron, who avoided quarrels and confrontations, the more
moderate Joshua will be balanced by the fervor of Phinehas as high priest. The
tradition generally considers moral threats to be more dangerous for national
survival than physical threats. We are told to wipe out the Midianites, however, for
they tried to undermine Israels moral standing
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.
Checking Plagues Making Atonement
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and it shall be for him and his descendants after him, a covenant of a perpetual
priesthood, because he was jealous for his God, and made atonement for the sons
of Israel.'" (Num 25:13 NAS)

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Etz Hayim Torah & Commentary, 25:11 p.918
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Pinchas made atonement for the sons of
Israel. How? Because in Numbers 25:8 we
read that because of Pinchas actions the
plague was checked. The word used in
Hebrew there for checked is H6113
atsar, aw-tsar' and it means hold back; also
to maintain, rule, assemble: - X be able, close
up, detain, fast, keep (self close, still), prevail,
recover, refrain, X reign, restrain, retain, shut
(up), slack, stay, stop, withhold (self).His actions
became a kapharor covering for the sons of Israel! Socan our actions atone
for the sins of our brothers and sisters? Yes, they can! How? By being zealous for
the boundaries of HaShem in the body of Messiah, by appointing God-fearing
people to positions of leadership that will shepherd Israel safely in the Way of
YHVH, and then by example show us how to walk in His Moedim, or Appointed
Times by bringing the best offerings continually unto YHVH according to His
Word. May we learn to be jealous for the boundaries of YHVH, may we like
Pinchas check the plague and atone for our brothers and sisters through our
accountability to one another, not with a heart of brass, but with the heart
completely committed to the Way of The Father, so that we may continue to walk
in His covenant of Shalom!