Midrash for Numbers 25:8

(Numb. 25:11) “Phinehas ben Elazar […].” What reason did the Holy One, blessed be He, have for tracing the lineage of Phinehas after this act (of slaying Zimri in Numb. 25:8)?¹Numb. R. 21:3. [The reason was] that, when Zimri was pierced along with Cozbi, the tribes rose up against [Phinehas] and said, “Did you see the son (actually, grandson) of Puti? This man, whose mother's father²Thus Puti was actually Phinehas’ maternal grandfather, whose full name was Putiel. So Exod. 6:25. fattened calves for idolatry, has killed a tribal prince of Israel!” Therefore Scripture has come to trace his lineage [through his paternal grandfather] (in Numb. 25:11), “Phinehas the son of Eliezer, [who is] the son of Aaron the priest.” (Numb. 25:12:) “Therefore I hereby grant My covenant of peace.” Great is the peace that He gave, as the world only functions according to peace. And the Torah is [likewise] completely peace, as stated (Prov. 3:17), “Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.” If someone comes from a journey, we inquire of his peace (wellbeing). So too in the morning, we inquire of his peace, and in the evening we inquire of his peace. And we read the recital of the Shema and we conclude [its blessings] with peace, “who spreads the cover of peace.” And in prayer, we conclude, “Who blesses His people Israel with peace.” (Numb. 25:12:) “Therefore I hereby grant [My covenant of peace],” as he still survives. And so it says (in Mal. 2:5), “My covenant was with him, [a covenant of] life and peace.” (Numb. 25:13:) “And it shall belong to him and to his seed after him […, because he was zealous for his God] and atoned for the Children of Israel.” Since atonement is spoken of in connection with him, did he offer a sacrifice? [The mention of atonement is] simply to teach you that when anyone sheds the blood of the wicked, it is as if he had offered a sacrifice.

Another comment on Neither hath he power over the day of death. What is written after Zimri committed his heinous deed?³Zimri took Cozbi the Midianite into his tent and had sexual relations with her (see Num. 25). And he (Phinehas) went after the man of Israel into the chamber (Num. 25:8). Where was Moses at that time that Phinehas should speak in his stead?⁴He was permitted to act as if he were in command even though Moses still lived. He did so to confirm what is written in the verse Neither hath he power over the day of death. Death is an expression that implies being humbled. He elevated Phinehas, while Moses was humbled.

And when Zimri committed that act (of whoredom), what is written (in Numb. 25:8): THEN HE (Phinehas) WENT AFTER THE MAN OF ISRAEL INTO THE CHAMBER < AND PIERCED BOTH OF THEM >. But how did Phinehas come to speak before Moses? In order to fulfill what is stated (in Eccl. 8:8) NOR IS THERE CONTROL ON THE DAY OF DEATH.⁷Cf. the parallel in Tanh., Gen. 12:2: “So where was Moses? And was not Phinehas speaking before Moses? It was simply in order to fulfill….” So also Gen. R. 96:3. I.e., since Moses’ death was drawing near, another was already assuming his authority. [Now "death" is nothing] but a word of humiliation. The saving act was given to Phinehas, and he humiliated Moses.