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

PSALMS 106:30KJV
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Psalms 106:30 (KJV)

What does Psalms 106:30 mean?

Psalms 106:30 recalls a moment when Phinehas took decisive action to stop a crisis among the Israelites, and as a result, a deadly plague was halted. The verse highlights how one person's intervention brought an end to a disaster affecting the whole community.

This verse is part of a psalm where the writer is recounting Israel’s history, especially times when the people turned away from God and faced consequences. Here, the focus is on Phinehas, a priest, who acted during a time of widespread wrongdoing. His action is remembered as a turning point that stopped the spread of a plague, showing the impact of bold leadership in a critical moment.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 106:30

  • פִּינְחָס (Pinchas, "Phinehas"): Naming Phinehas specifically draws attention to his personal responsibility and courage in this event, making his role stand out in the narrative.
  • וַיַּעֲמֹד (vaya‘amod, from עָמַד, "stood up"): This word often means to rise or take a stand, emphasizing that Phinehas did not remain passive but took an active, visible role.
  • וַיְפַלֵּל (vayefalel, from פָּלַל, "executed judgment"): This word can mean to intercede, judge, or intervene. Here, it suggests that Phinehas acted with a sense of justice or mediation, not just violence.
  • הַמַּגֵּפָה (hamagefah, "the plague"): This term refers to a severe, widespread affliction, highlighting the seriousness of the crisis.
  • וַתֵּעָצַר (vate‘atzar, from עָצַר, "was stayed"): This word means to restrain or stop, making it clear that the plague was actively halted as a direct result of Phinehas’s action.

Why Psalms 106:30 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the stopping of the plague was not accidental but directly linked to Phinehas’s intervention, highlighting the importance of individual responsibility in the community’s well-being.
  • By naming Phinehas and describing his action, the verse connects to a larger biblical theme of intercession—someone standing between the people and disaster.
  • The verse fits into the psalm’s broader pattern of recounting both Israel’s failures and the moments when someone’s faithfulness brought restoration, helping the reader see the ups and downs of Israel’s spiritual history.

Where else these words appear

“Phinehas” Hebrew H6372 · used in 24 verses

  • Exodus 6:25 And Eleazar Aaron's son took him one of the daughters of Putiel to wife; and she bare him Phinehas: these are the heads of the fathers of the Levites according to their families.
  • Joshua 22:32 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, unto the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them word again.
  • 1 Samuel 4:19 And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her.

“plague” Hebrew H4046 · used in 25 verses

  • Exodus 9:14 For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth.
  • Numbers 26:1 And it came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying,
  • 1 Chronicles 21:17 And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father's house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued.

“stayed” Hebrew H6113 · used in 45 verses

  • Genesis 16:2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
  • 1 Kings 8:35 When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them:
  • 2 Chronicles 14:11 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.

“judgment” Hebrew H6419 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 20:7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.
  • 1 Kings 13:6 And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before.
  • Job 42:8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.