Joshua 22:13

And the children of Israel sent The holy jealousy which inspired them did not induce them to proceed hastily, or without proper enquiry. They resolved to send a deputation to ascertain the meaning of what had been done.

Phinehas In Hebrew Pinchas, in the Apocryphal Books Phinees, was the son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron (Exodus 6:25). While yet a youth he had been memorable for his zeal and energy at the critical moment of the sin of Peor at Shittim, and appeased the Divine wrath and put a stop to the plague which was destroying the nation (Numbers 25:7). For this he received the special approbation of Jehovah, and the promise that the priesthood should remain in his family for ever (Numbers 25:10-13). This seems to have raised him to a very high position in the nation, and he figures rather than his father as the leading member of the hierarchy; (a) In the conflict with Midian (Numbers 31:6), (b) in this dispute with the Reubenites, (c) in the war with the Benjamites (Judges 20:28) he is the chief oracle and adviser. The memory of the zealous priest was very dear to the Jews. He is specially commemorated in one of the Psalms (Psalms 106:30-31), and the priests who returned from the captivity are enrolled in the official lists as the sons of Phinehas (Ezra 8:2; 1EEsther 5:5). In his Egyptian name he bore the last trace of the sojourn of the nation in "the land of Ham." His tomb, a place of great resort to Jews and Samaritans, is shewn at Awertah, 4 miles south-east of Nablus.