How long did Pinchus live

Hello & Greetings

Your question is important and correct,

Indeed, the rambam in his introduction to the Mishneh Torah writes that Moshe gave the Oral Torah to Joshua and he gave it to Pinchas and the elders, and they gave it to Ali Hacohen. And it is proven from the words of the rambam that Pinchas lived from the time of Moshe Rabbeinu and Joshua ben Nun during the desert period, until Ali Hacohen who served as priest in the Temple of Shiloh.

And it is truly a wonder how he lived more than three hundred years, and already the Radak stood by this miraculous thing, and wrote that the length of the verse in Judges chapter 20, verse 28, which extended to attribute Pinchas ben Elazar ben Aaron Hacohen. That he is so that we do not make the mistake of saying that he is another Pinchas, because people will not believe that it was Pinchas who lived more than three hundred years, and therefore his written relationship to Aaron.

And the Radak explained that indeed Pinchas lived for a long time, since G-d promised longevity in this reward that envied God’s jealousy and killed Zimri, who married  “kozbe Bat Tzur”. For this, the Almighty promised, “I give him my covenant of peace,” and it is also said in Malachi chapter two, verse 5, “My covenant was with him life and peace,” and therefore he gained longevity and years.

Best regards

Rabbi David Ohayon

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