Tafsiran Bilangan 25:12: Tze'enah Ure'enah, Rashi, Midrash Lekach Tov & Sforno

“My pact of friendship” [25:12]. Since Israel saw how some people had worshiped foreign gods at Peor and engaged in illicit sex with the daughters of Midian, and third, Phinehas spilled blood with regard to the chieftain, all of Israel was frightened. They thought that they had transgressed all three sins that had occurred at the Flood. Therefore, it says here, do not be frightened. It is as if Phinehas had brought a sacrifice when he killed the chieftain. The blood atoned for Peor and for the illicit sex. Therefore, I am giving Phinehas peace because he had made peace for Israel. It is customary that when someone commits a murder, he cannot rest; the blood does not let him rest. However, Phinehas was at peace because he did not commit a murder, but he had brought a sacrifice. Simeon and Levi always stood together with regard to Dinah in Shechem and regarding Joseph the Righteous. Now, Phinehas came from the tribe of Levi and killed a chieftain of the tribe of Simeon. The people thought that they would continue to be enemies. Therefore, the verse says, I have given Phineas peace. Because he protected Israel from death and they lived longer, therefore the Holy One gave him a long life.³Toldot Yizhak, Numbers, 25:11–12.

Our sages say that Phinehas is Elijah the prophet. He also killed false prophets for the sake of God in the days of Ahab. He relied on the Holy One and always risked his neck.⁴Pirke de Rabbi Eliezer, chap. 46.

את בריתי שלום [I GIVE TO HIM] MY COVENANT — PEACE — This means: I give him my covenant that it should be to him as a covenant of peace; just like a man who shows gratitude and friendliness to one who has done him a kindness. So here, too, the Holy One, blessed be He, expressed to him His peaceful feelings towards him.