Scripture’s Impactful Reference in Antiquity: The Balak Passage That Changed History

A Torah Portion Balak’s impactful passage resonates in history. It was referenced as part of a historical event from antiquity. In the post-biblical Book of the Maccabees, the portion Balak is cited during a transformative event; an event that shaped present day history and theology. The Balak passage, however, due to its graphic and violent nature, It is not one for popular culture due to age appropriateness.

As someone who both attended Hebrew School and taught it, the Balak passage that is very meaningful for both scripture and history is often never discussed; Phinehas’ actions at the Tent of Meeting, due to the violence involve, is often omitted from children’s Bible story books.

Despite its relative obscurity within modern youth education, in antiquity, a priest living in the turbulent Seleucid occupation of Judean during the Second Temple found Phinehas’ actions in Balak inspirational.

The Portion Balak

At the end Balak, the reader is told of an Israelite man brought a Midianite woman to the Tent of Meeting. It was done before the entire congregation while they were mourning. [Commentators have indicated that they were engaged in sexual relations. See Rashi]

At that point, the portion indicates that “… Phinehas son of Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest, saw, and he got up from among the congregation and took a spear in his hand. And he came after the Israelite man to the enclosure and ran the two of them through, the Israelite man and the woman, to her stomach, and the plague halted from the Children of Israel.” Numbers 25:7-9

This act had eternal repercussions; the Torah Portion Phinehas recorded the organizational transformation.

The Relevance

After the Portion Balak, as a result of the incident, Phinehas’ status was changed. He was granted a covenant of eternal priesthood for him and his seed. Numbers 25:12-13. It was because he was jealous [zealous] for his God and he made atonement for the Children of Israel. Numbers 25:13

Phinehas’ elevation resonated within the priestly class; it was remembered during the period of the Second Temple during the period after the Greek occupation of the Levant.

After Alexander the Great’s death, his empire was divided. With the division, Judea came under Seleucid control. With the Seleucids came religious strife. The Balak passage’s significance, as shown in the Book of Maccabees, was that it motivated the Priest Mattathias to take action. In turn Balak’s passage, within a larger context, inspired either a religious renaissance or revolution.

Phinehas Channelled

Based upon the First Book of Maccabees, it is undeniable that the Hasmonean Revolt of 167-141 BCE was Phinehas inspired. The Books of the Maccabees, for the Hebrew Bible, are post-scriptural. They are not considered part of the Hebrew Bible.

First Maccabees tells of a flashpoint incident in the town of Modin. The Priest Mattathias was enraged by Hellenization and an attempt to desecrate Judaism. Specifically, there was a Seleucid king’s official making a Jew perform a sacrifice outside of Jewish customs. Mattathias fueled by righteous anger, slaughtered compliant Jew along with the king’s office.

In doing so, Maccabees’ states “Thus he[Mattathias] burned with zeal for the law, just as Phinehas did against Zimri son of Salu.” 1 Maccabees 2:26. After that, Mattathias cried out in the town with a loud voice, saying: “Let everyone who is zealous for the law and supports the covenant come out with me!” 1 Maccabees 2:27.

The moment channeling Phinehas sparked the Hasmonean Revolt and the eventual Hasmonean Dynasty.

Phinehas’ importance was reiterated in Mattathias’ final words. He again referenced Phinehas, his ancestor who, because he was deeply zealous, received the covenant of everlasting priesthood. 1 Maccabees 2:51-54.

The Hasmonean Revolt impact’s significance has changed based upon recent scholarship of Professor Yonatan Adler. The period proved to be important with respect to widespread Torah compliance.

The Possible Impact

Dr. Adler’s The Origins of Judaism: An Archaeological-Historical Reappraisal indicates that the Hasmonean period was significant as far as the practice of Judaism. During this historic period of time, many objects were found evidencing a prevalent practice of Judaism. The period evidenced strict adherence to Torah based practices such as with regard to dietary laws, the Sabbath, circumcision and purity laws.

Was this increased Jewish observance inspired by the Hasmoneans? Or, was it something becoming more widespread at the time?

Conclusion

While Phinehas’ inspirational moment in modernity is not optimum for widespread public consumption, it was for the Priestly Class during the Second Temple Period. He inspired his descendants. His action was so valued that it was punctuated by reference. One could say that the Balak passage served as the Hasmonean Revolt’s lighter fluid.

This Biblical Literacy moment reveals how a scriptural passage was a catalyst for changing history.

Be well!!

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