Tanach · Rishonim on Tanach · Ibn Ezra · Torah
Ibn Ezra on Numbers 25:13/אבן עזרא על במדבר כ״ה:י״ג
אומלת אחריו. לאות שמת ואינו אליהו כלל וכבר פירשתיו כי נגיד היה עליהם וגם שהיה בימי פילגש בגבעה:
1The word acharav (after him) (v. 13)27 is proof that Phinehas died and is in no way to be identified with Elijah.28 on the Torah portion, Phinehas. I have already explained it.29 Phinehas was ruler over them [Israel] (I Chron. 9:20). He was alive during the incident of the concubine from Gibeah.30
באשר קנא לאלהיו. מאהבתו את השם גם עשה טובה לישראל ודרך דרש האב כפר ובניו יכפרו:
2BECAUSE HE WAS JEALOUS FOR HIS GOD. He acted out of his love for God. He also did good for Israel.31. According to the midrashic interpretation, the father32 atoned and the children33 will atone.34 and because he…made atonement for the children of Israel.