And it shall be for him and for his seed after him a covenant of eternal priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the children of Yisrael.
English: R. Elazar said in the name of R. Chanina: Pinchas did not become a Kohen until he killed Zimri, as it is written “and it shall be for him and for his seed after him a covenant of eternal priesthood.”
Type of Learning
Timing of the grant of kehunah from the verse’s future wording.
What Is Learned
Pinchas, born before the anointing of Aharon’s line, entered full kehunah only through this act and the covenant that followed.