Psalm 106 30

Psalm 106:30 kjv

Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed.

Psalm 106:30 nkjv

Then Phinehas stood up and intervened, And the plague was stopped.

Psalm 106:30 niv

But Phinehas stood up and intervened, and the plague was checked.

Psalm 106:30 esv

Then Phinehas stood up and intervened, and the plague was stayed.

Psalm 106:30 nlt

But Phinehas had the courage to intervene,
and the plague was stopped.

Psalm 106 verses

Psalm 106 30 Meaning

Psalm 106:30 recounts a specific act during Israel's journey through the wilderness: the decisive intervention of Phinehas during a divine plague sent because of Israel's idolatry and immorality at Baal-Peor. His zealous and righteous action, which involved executing those actively engaged in the sin, pleased God and resulted in the immediate cessation of the destructive plague, preventing further loss of life among the Israelites.

Psalm 106 30 Context

Psalm 106 is a confessional psalm recounting Israel's history of rebellion, ingratitude, and idolatry against God's repeated faithfulness and deliverance. It serves as a historical lament, contrasting the covenant failures of Israel with the enduring steadfast love of Yahweh.

Verses 28-29 specifically set the scene for verse 30, detailing how the Israelites "yoked themselves to Baal of Peor and ate sacrifices offered to the dead," leading to God's burning anger and the outbreak of a devastating plague. This incident is fully narrated in Numbers chapter 25, where Israel engages in idolatry and sexual immorality with Moabite women at the instigation of Balaam's counsel (Rev 2:14). God sends a plague that claims 24,000 lives. It is in this context of widespread sin and divine wrath that Phinehas steps forward to address the blatant transgression happening openly within the camp, signifying the desperate state requiring such an extreme, zealous action.

Psalm 106 30 Word Analysis

• Then (וַיַּעֲמֹד - vaya'amod): The prefixed waw ("and") usually translates as "then" or "and," indicating a sequential event. It connects Phinehas's action directly to the immediate outbreak of the plague and the sin mentioned in the previous verse (Ps 106:29). It denotes a pivotal moment.
• Phinehas (פִּינְחָס - Piynᵉchac): This is a proper noun, identifying the grandson of Aaron (Num 25:7). He was a priest in the lineage of Levi. His identity is crucial, highlighting that the act was undertaken by someone in authority, motivated by zeal for God's holiness and covenant. His name might relate to an Egyptian word meaning "the Nubian" or "bronze-skinned," or simply be Hebrew for "mouth of brass/serpent."
• stood up (וַיַּעֲמֹד - vaya'amod): From the root amad, meaning "to stand, stand still, stand firm." It signifies a deliberate, resolute, and public act, taking a firm stance against the ongoing sin. It is an act of intervention and leadership, rather than passive observation. He was not just standing idly but standing forth for action.
• and intervened (וַיְפַלֵּל - vayfallēl): This is a key and rich term from the root palal. While often translated "to pray" (as in "intercede in prayer"), here, in the Qal stem (simple action) and combined with the context of action, it signifies "to execute judgment," "to act decisively," "to interpose," or "to mediate through action." It is not merely prayer, but a judicial act prompted by a divine imperative. Phinehas didn't just ask for the plague to stop; he acted to remove the cause of God's wrath, performing what could be seen as a sacrificial judicial execution.
• and the plague (וַתֵּעָצַר הַמַּגֵּפָה - vatte'atzar hammaggephah):
  • plague (מַגֵּפָה - maggephah): This noun refers to a divinely inflicted pestilence or epidemic, a sign of God's direct judgment or wrath. It underscores the severity of the sin committed at Peor.
• was stopped (וַתֵּעָצַר - vatte'atzar): From the root atsar, meaning "to restrain," "to hold back," "to shut up." The verb is in the Niphal (passive voice), meaning "it was restrained" or "it was held back." This highlights God's agency in stopping the plague because of Phinehas's action, rather than Phinehas having inherent power over the plague himself. His action provided the necessary righteous response for God to cease His judgment.

Words-group analysis:

• "Then Phinehas stood up and intervened": This phrase describes an active, determined, and authoritative response to a severe spiritual crisis. It conveys a sense of urgent, decisive action in the face of widespread rebellion and divine wrath. His "intervening" (vayfallēl) implies not just standing between parties, but taking direct action against the sin itself, essentially performing an act of judgment that allowed for mercy.
• "and the plague was stopped": This clearly indicates the immediate and direct result of Phinehas's action. The cause (sin inciting God's wrath) was addressed by a zealous, righteous response, leading to the cessation of God's judgment (the plague). It showcases divine responsiveness to human zeal for holiness and justice, demonstrating God's sovereign control over judgment and His willingness to relent when His justice is served.

Psalm 106 30 Bonus section

The Hebrew word vayfallēl (and intervened) in Psalm 106:30 is unusual and significant. While often used for prayer or intercession, its usage here, contextually linked to Phinehas's physical action of taking a spear and executing transgressors (Num 25:7-8), carries a unique meaning of exercising judgment or decisive intervention to avert disaster. It moves beyond passive pleading to active, forceful arbitration for divine justice. Some scholars interpret it as "to interpose judgment," reflecting the specific priestly role of administering God's law. This distinct understanding elevates Phinehas's act from mere passion to a divinely guided, covenant-fulfilling execution of judgment.

Psalm 106:31 further builds on this, stating Phinehas's act "was counted to him as righteousness from generation to generation forever." This ties his deed to the concept of imputed righteousness, even prefiguring Pauline theology, where Abraham's faith was "counted as righteousness" (Rom 4:3). Phinehas's zealous action, driven by faith and loyalty to God, became a permanent benchmark of priestly devotion and righteous living. It demonstrates that genuine faith manifests in courageous action against sin when God's glory is defiled, and it underscores the Lord's active recognition and reward of such zeal. This particular episode highlights a key theological point: a righteous act can bring an immediate cessation of divine wrath and can be held in remembrance for all generations.

Psalm 106 30 Commentary

Psalm 106:30 succinctly describes a pivotal moment in Israel's wilderness journey. When the Israelites committed grievous acts of idolatry and sexual immorality with Moabite women at Baal-Peor, God's just anger was kindled, and a plague ensued, claiming many lives. Amidst this divine judgment, Phinehas, a zealous priest, courageously rose and performed a decisive act: he killed an Israelite man and a Midianite woman who were brazenly committing fornication within the camp. This act was not a random violent outburst but a divinely sanctioned execution (Num 25:8). His singular, righteous deed immediately appeased God's wrath, leading to the plague being halted.

This verse emphasizes several critical truths. Firstly, sin, especially idolatry and immorality, provokes God's holy wrath, leading to dire consequences. Secondly, God seeks and rewards zealous individuals who stand for His righteousness and actively oppose unholiness within the community. Phinehas's "intervening" was a demonstration of radical obedience and a willingness to confront sin head-on, effectively standing "in the breach" between God's wrath and His people. Thirdly, divine judgment, though severe, can be stayed by righteous action and a fervent commitment to God's holiness, foreshadowing how a righteous substitute (Jesus Christ) can avert judgment through a definitive act. Phinehas's action, while violent, represented a purification that honored God's covenant and turned away further destruction. This serves as a timeless reminder that while corporate sin brings corporate judgment, righteous intercession and decisive action against evil can secure divine mercy.

• Examples:
  • When one Christian courageously speaks out against sin or injustice in their community or church, similar to how Phinehas stood against the sin at Peor, it can prompt a shift towards righteousness.
  • An individual making a decisive break from a long-standing pattern of sin, resulting in personal spiritual renewal and the lifting of burdens or consequences associated with that sin.