Phinehas

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

An Egyptian name in the time of Rameses II.

1. Eleazar's son; Aaron's grandson ( Exodus 6:25). His mother was of Putiel's daughters. By his zeal in avenging the Lord's cause on the Simeonitc prince Zimri, and Cosbi his Midianite paramour, Phinehas turned away Jehovah's wrath, making an atonement for Israel, and was given Jehovah's covenant of peace, an everlasting priesthood (Numbers 25;  Psalms 106:30-31). Phinehas, with the holy instruments and trumpets to blow, accompanied the expedition which avenged Jehovah and Israel on Midian ( Numbers 31:6, etc.). Phinehas, as ambassador with ten princes, was delegated by Israel to remonstrate with the two and a half tribes as to the altar the latter built at Jordan; these satisfied the delegates and Israel as to their intentions. Thus was Phinehas a mediator of Israel's brotherly unity, as before he had vindicated Israel's purity ( Joshua 22:13-34).

Lastly Phinehas stood before the ark inquiring of Jehovah for Israel, "shall I go yet again ... against Benjamin my brother?" ( Judges 20:23;  Judges 20:28.) The same zeal for the purity yet brotherhood of Israel characterized him now in old age as in his youth. His zeal, i.e. the faith that prompted it, "was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore" (compare  Genesis 15:6;  Romans 4:3). Phinehas had an allotment in Mount Ephraim; here on a hill bearing his name his father Eleazar was buried ( Joshua 24:33). The closing verses, concerning Joshua's death, etc., are ascribed to Phinehas (Baba barbra, in Fabricius, 893.) Eli of Ithamar's line interrupted the succession of the line of Phinehas; Zadok resumed it under Solomon. The tomb of Phinehas is shown at Awertah, four miles S.E. of Nablus, in the center of the village, within an area overshadowed by an old vine.

2. Second son of Eli, killed with Hophni, in battle with the Philistines ( 1 Samuel 1:3); according to the prophecy:  1 Samuel 2:34;  1 Samuel 4:4;  1 Samuel 4:11;  1 Samuel 4:17;  1 Samuel 4:19;  1 Samuel 14:3. (See Eli ; Hophni

3. A Levite ( Ezra 8:33).

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

PHINEHAS . 1 . The son of Eleazar, who was the third son of Aaron. Both his name and that of his mother Putiel are perhaps of Egyptian origin. The only certain occurrence of the name in a pre-exilic writing is in   Joshua 24:33; a hill ( Gibeath Pinhas ) in Ephraim was named after him, where his father and (LXX [Note: Septuagint.] ) he himself was buried. In P [Note: Priestly Narrative.] and the Chronicler he rises into great prominence. He succeeded Eleazar as chief priest (  Exodus 6:25 ,   1 Chronicles 6:4;   1 Chronicles 6:50 ,   Ezra 7:5 , 1E  Esther 8:2 , 2E  Esther 1:2 ), and was the superintendent of the Korahite Levites (  1 Chronicles 9:20 ). The succession of the priesthood in his line was assured to him when he showed his zeal at Shittim in Moab, when Israel ‘joined themselves unto Baal-peor.’ An Israelite brought into the camp a woman from the Midianites who had beguiled the people into foreign worship. Phinehas slew the man and the woman (  Numbers 25:1-18 ). This is referred to in   Psalms 106:30 f., Sir 45:23-25 , 1Ma 2:25; 1Ma 2:54 . As priest he accompanied the expedition to punish the Midianites (  Numbers 10:8 f.). He was the spokesman of the western tribes concerning the altar which the eastern tribes had erected (  Joshua 22:13;   Joshua 22:30-32 , See Ed.). The war between Benjamin and the other tribes occurred in his high priesthood (  Judges 20:28 ). After the Exile a clan of priests, ‘the sons of Phinehas,’ claimed descent from him (  Ezra 8:2 [  Esther 5:5  Esther 5:5; 1Es 8:29 , 2E  Esther 1:2 k Phinees ]). 2 . The younger son of Eli (  1 Samuel 1:3 [  Esther 1:2  Esther 1:2 b Phinees ]). See Hophni and Phinehas. 3.  Ezra 8:33  Ezra 8:33 father of a priest named Eleazar; = 1Es 8:62 Peter hinees .

A. H. M‘Neile.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Phin'ehas. (Mouth Of Brass).

1. Son of Eleazar, and grandson of Aaron.  Exodus 6:25. He is memorable for having while quite a youth, by his zeal and energy at the critical moment of the licentious idolatry of Shittim, appeased the divine wrath, and put a stop to the plague which was destroying the nation.  Numbers 25:7. (B.C. 1452). For this, he was rewarded by the special approbation of Jehovah , and by a promise that the priesthood should remain in his family forever.  Numbers 25:10-13. He was appointed to accompany as priest the expedition by which the Midianites were destroyed.  Numbers 31:6.

Many years later, he also headed the party which was despatched from Shiloh to remonstrate against the altar which the TransJordanic tribes were reported to have built near Jordan.  Joshua 22:13-32. In the partition of the country, he received an allotment of his own - a hill on Mount Ephraim which bore his name. After Eleazar's death, he became high priest - the third of the series. In this capacity, he is introduced as giving the oracle to the nation, during the whole struggle with the Benjamites on the matter of Gibeah.  Judges 20:28. The verse which closes the book of Joshua is ascribed to Phinehas, as the description of the death of Moses, at the end of Deuteronomy, is to Joshua. The tomb of Phinehas, a place of great resort to both Jews and Samaritans, is shown at Awertah, four miles southeast of Nablus.

2. Second son of Eli.  1 Samuel 1:3;  1 Samuel 2:34;  1 Samuel 4:4;  1 Samuel 4:11;  1 Samuel 4:17;  1 Samuel 4:19;  1 Samuel 14:3 Phinehas was killed with his brother by the Philistines when the Ark was captured. (B.C. 1125). See Eli .

3. A Levite, of Ezra's time,  Ezra 8:33, unless the meaning be that Eleazar was of the family of the great Phinehas.

Bridgeway Bible Dictionary

Of the biblical characters named Phinehas, the most important was the zealous priest who was Aaron’s grandson ( Exodus 6:25). Phinehas’ father, Eleazar, had succeeded Aaron as high priest ( Numbers 20:25-26), and Phinehas proved himself to be a loyal supporter. When Israelite men brought God’s judgment upon themselves through their immorality with foreign women, Phinehas dealt with the rebels. His swift action saved Israel from destruction ( Numbers 25:1-8; see also 31:1-7). God rewarded Phinehas’ zeal by promising that his descendants would become the chief priestly family in Israel ( Numbers 25:10-13; cf.  Judges 20:27-28). Though zealous for God’s standards, Phinehas proved to be fair and reasonable when he had to listen to complaints and settle disputes ( Joshua 22:13-16;  Joshua 22:30-34).

A later priest named Phinehas had no concern at all for God’s standards. He and his brother, who were sons of the priest Eli, corrupted the priesthood so badly that God removed them in a dramatic judgment. The two were killed the same day ( 1 Samuel 1:3;  1 Samuel 2:12-17;  1 Samuel 2:34;  1 Samuel 4:4;  1 Samuel 4:11).

Morrish Bible Dictionary

1. Son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron. He showed his zeal for God in slaying Zimri and Cozbi, for which he was commended by God, who promised His 'covenant of peace' to him and his seed, even 'the covenant of an everlasting priesthood.' He succeeded Eleazar as high priest.  Exodus 6:25;  Numbers 25:7-13;  Numbers 31:6;  Joshua 22:13-32;  Judges 20:28;  1 Chronicles 6:4,50;  1 Chronicles 9:20;  Ezra 7:5;  Ezra 8:2;  Psalm 106:30 .

2. Son of Eli: he degraded the priesthood by his wickedness, and was slain with his brother Hophni by the Philistines when the ark was taken. He was father of Ahitub and Ichabod; his wife, overcome with sorrow, dying when the latter was born.   1 Samuel 1:3;  1 Samuel 2:34;  1 Samuel 4:4-19;  1 Samuel 14:3 .

3. Father of Eleazar who returned from exile.   Ezra 8:33 .

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Phinehas ( Fïn'E-Has ), Brazen Mouth. 1. A son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron,  Exodus 6:25;  1 Chronicles 6:4;  1 Chronicles 6:50, was high priest of the Jews for nearly 20 years. Bus zeal and promptitude in punishing the Bin of Zimri was rewarded by the promise to his family of perpetual succession in the Jewish priesthood.  Numbers 25:6-15. This promise was fulfilled; for except the interval from Eli to Zadok, the priesthood continued in the family of Phinehas until the destruction of the temple and the Babylonian captivity. 2. A son of Eli, and noted for his wickedness.  1 Samuel 1:3;  1 Samuel 2:34;  1 Samuel 4:4;  1 Samuel 4:11;  1 Samuel 4:17;  1 Samuel 4:19;  1 Samuel 14:3. 3. A Levite in the time of Ezra.  Ezra 8:33.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

1. Son of Elezar, and grandson of Aaron the high priest. His zealous an decided character was shown in the prompt execution of he profligate prince of Judah, and his companion a woman of Midian, in the plains of Moab,  Numbers 25:1-17 . For this bold and timely service, the high priesthood was secured to his family, also remaining faithful; and except during an interval from Eli to Zadok, his posterity were at the head of the priesthood till the destruction of the temple. Phinehas led the host of Israel in the subsequent battle with the Midianites,  Numbers 31:6   Psalm 106:30-31 . He was at the head of the deputation sent to remonstrate with the tribes beyond the Jordan respecting the altar they had erected,  Joshua 22:5-34 . During the life of his father, he was superintendent of the Levites,  Numbers 3:32; and afterwards became the high priest, the will of God, as to the punishment of the men of Gibeash,  Judges 20:28 .

2. A son of Eli the high priest. See HOPHNI.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

One of the sons of Eli, the high priest (  1 Samuel 1:3;  2:12 ). He and his brother Hophni were guilty of great crimes, for which destruction came on the house of Eli (31). He died in battle with the Philistines ( 1 Samuel 4:4,11 ); and his wife, on hearing of his death, gave birth to a son, whom she called "Ichabod," and then she died (19-22).

Copyright Statement These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., DD Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain.

Bibliography Information Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Phinehas'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/p/phinehas.html. 1897.

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

son of Eleazar, and grandson of Aaron, third high priest of the Jews, A.M. 2571 to about A.M. 2590, B.C. 1414. He is particularly commended in Scripture for zeal in vindicating the glory of God, when the Midianites had sent their daughters into the camp of Israel, to tempt the Hebrews to fornication and idolatry,  Numbers 25:7 . On this account the Lord promised the priesthood to Phinehas by perpetual covenant; evidently including this tacit condition, that his children should continue faithful and obedient: for we know the priesthood passed out of the family of Eleazar and Phinehas to that of Ithamar, and that it returned not to the posterity of Eleazar until after about a hundred and fifty years.

Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary

Son of Eleazar the priest. He was the third high priest, from the first order of the priesthood. Aaron, Eleazar and Phinehas. The name seems to have been derived Panah, to shine, See an honorable testimony given by the Lord himself to this man. ( Numbers 25:6-13) There was another Phinehas in Scripture, but of a very different character, namely, Phineas the son of Eli.

Holman Bible Dictionary

 1 Samuel 2:22 1 Samuel 4:11

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(Heb. Pinechas', פַּינְחָס , Mouth Of Brass [Gesen.], or Of Utterance [Furst]; Sept. Φινεές v.r. Φεινεἐς ; Josephus, Φινεέσης ), the name of two or three Hebrews.

1. Son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron ( Exodus 6:25). His mother is recorded as one of the daughters of Pntiel, an unknown person, who is identified by the rabbins with Jethro the Midianite (Targ. Pseudoj)On. on  Exodus 6:25; Wagenseil, Sota, 8:6). Phinehas is memorable for having while quite a youth, by his zeal and energy at the critical moment of the licentious idolatry of Shittim, appeased the divine wrath and put a stop to the plague which was destroying the nation ( Numbers 25:7). B.C. 1619. For this he was rewarded by the special approbation of Jehovah, and by a promise that the priesthood should remain in his family forever ( Numbers 25:10-13). This seems to have raised him at once to a very high position in the nation, and he was appointed to accompany as priest the expedition by which the Midianites were destroyed ( Numbers 31:6). Seven years later he also headed the party who were despatched from Shiloh to remonstrate against the altar which the transjordanic tribes were reported to have built near Jordan ( Joshua 22:13-32). In the partition of the country he received an allotment of his own-a hill on Mount Ephraim which bore his name-Gibeath-Pinechas. Here his father was buried ( Joshua 24:32).

During the life of Phinehas he appears to have been the chief of the great family of the Korahites or Korhites who guarded the entrances to the sacred tent and the whole of the sacred camp ( 1 Chronicles 9:20). After Eleazar's death he became high-priest — the third of the series. B.C. cir. 1580-1523. In this capacity he is introduced as giving the oracle to the nation during the struggle with the Benjamites in the matter of Gibeah ( Judges 20:28). Where the ark and tabernacle were stationed at that time is not clear. From  Judges 20:1 we should infer that they were at Mizpeh, while from  Judges 20:18;  Judges 20:26 it seems equally probable that they were at Bethel (which is also the statement of Josephus. Ant. 5:2, 11). Or the Hebrew words in these latter verses may mean, not Bethel the town, but. as they are rendered in the A.V., "house of God," and refer to the tabernacle at Shiloh. But wherever the ark may have been, there was the aged priest "standing before it," and the oracle which he delivered was one which must have been fiully in accordance with his own vehement temper, "Shall we go out to battle . . . or shall we cease?" The answer was, "Go up for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand."

The memory of this champion of Jehovah was very dear to the Jews. The narrative of the Pentateuch presents him as the type of an ardent and devoted priest. The numerous references to him in the later literature all adopt the same tone. He is commemorated in one of the Psalms ( Psalms 106:30-31) in the identical phrase which is consecrated forever by its use in reference to the great act of faith of Abraham; a phrase which perhaps more than any other in the Bible binds together the old and new dispensations — "that was counted to him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore" (comp.  Genesis 15:6;  Romans 4:3). The "covenant" made with him is put into the same rank for dignity and certainty with that by which the throne was assured to king David ( Sirach 45:25). The zeal of Mattathias the Maccabee is sufficiently praised by a comparison with that of "Phinees against Zambri, the son of Salom" ( 1 Maccabees 2:26). The priests who returned from the captivity are enrolled in the official lists as the sons of Phinehas ( Ezra 8:2;  1 Esdras 5:5). In the Seder Olam?, (chapter 20) he is identified with "the prophet" of  Judges 6:8.

Josephus (Ant. 4:6, 12), out of the traditions which he frequently introduces, adds to the narrative of the Pentateuch a statement that "so great was his courage and so remarkable his bodily strength that he would never relinquish any undertaking, however difficult and dangerous, without gaining a complete victory." The later Jews are fond of comparing him to Elijah, if indeed they do not regard them as one and the same individual (see the quotations in Meyer, Chron. Hebr. page 845; Fabricius, Codex Pseudepiq. page 894, note). In the Targum Pseudojonathan of Numbers 25 the slaughter of Zimri and Cozbi is accompanied by twelve miracles, and the covenant made with Phinehas is expanded into a promise that he shall be "the angel of the covenant, shall live forever, and shall proclaim redemption at the end of the world." His Midianitish origin (already noticed) is brought forward as adding greater luster to his zeal against Midian, and enhancing his glorious destiny. The verse which closes the book of Joshua is ascribed to Phinehas, as the description of the death of Moses at the end of Deuteronomy is to Joshua (Baba Bathra, in Fabricius, page 893). He is also reported to be the author of a work on sacred names (ibid.), which, however, is so rare that Fabricius had never seen it.

The succession of the posterity of Phinehas in the high-priesthood was interrupted when Eli, of the race of Ithamar, was priest; but it was resumed in the person of Zadok, and continued in the same line to the destruction of Jerusalem. (See High-Priest). One of the members of the family — Manasseh, soil of Johanan, and brother of Jaddua — went over to the Samaritans, and they still boast that they preserve the succession (see their letter to Scaliger, in Eichhorn's Repertorium, 13:262).

The tomb of Phinehas, a place of great resort to both Jews and Samaritans, is shown at Awertah, four miles south-east of Nablus. It stands in the centre of the village, enclosed within a little area or compound, which is overshadowed by the thickly trellised foliage of an ancient vine. A small mosque joins the wall of the compound. Outside the village, on the next hill, is a larger enclosure, containing the tomb of Eleazar, and a cave ascribed to Elijah, overshadowed by two venerable terebinth-trees, surrounded by arcades, and forming a retired and truly charming spot. The local tradition asserts that Awertah and its neighborhood are the ' Hill of Phinehas."

2. Second son of Eli ( 1 Samuel 1:3;  1 Samuel 2:34;  1 Samuel 4:4;  1 Samuel 4:11;  1 Samuel 4:17;  1 Samuel 4:19;  1 Samuel 14:3). He was not of the same line as his illustrious and devoted namesake, but of the family of Ithamar. (See Eli). Phinehas was killed with his brother by 'the Philistines when the ark was captured. B.C. 1125. He had two sons, Ahitub, the eldest — whose sons Ahijah and Ahimelech were high-priests at Shiloh and Nob in the time of Saul (14:3) — and Ichabod. He is introduced, apparently by mistake, in the genealogy of Ezra in  2 Esdras 1:2 a.

3. A Levite, mentioned in  Ezra 8:33 as the father of the Eleazar who aided Meremoth to weigh the vessels of the sanctuary. B.C. ante 458. The meaning, however, may be that Eleazar was of the family of the great Phinehas.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

fin´ḗ - as , - az , fin´ḗ - has , - haz ( פּינחס , pı̄neḥaṣ , "mouth of brass"):

(1) Son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron ( Exodus 6:25; compare  1 Chronicles 6:4;  Ezra 7:5 , where he is seen to be an ancestor of Ezra). He took a leading part in cleansing Israel from whoredom at Shittim. He there punished the brazen licentiousness of Zimri, prince of Sirecon, by slaying both him and the Midianite woman he had brought into camp ( Numbers 25:6-18 ). This incident is referred to in  Psalm 106:30 ,  Psalm 106:31 (compare 1 Macc 2:26, 54; Sirach 45:23, 24). As priest he accompanied the expedition sent by Moses against Midjan (  Numbers 31:6 ). He was chief of the Korahite Levites ( 1 Chronicles 9:20 ), and succeeded his father as high priest. While he was in that office the civil war with Benjamin occurred, and it was he who delivered the oracle's decision to fight Benjamin ( Judges 20:28 ff). His faithful services secured to his house the succession of the priesthood (  Numbers 25:11-13 ). He was sent as ambassador to inquire into the reported idolatry of Reuben, Gad and part of Manasseh ( Joshua 22:13 ff, 30-32). According to Septuagint he was buried with his father in Ephraim on the hill Gibeah Phinehas (see   Joshua 24:33 ). His character was marked with strong moral indignation and fine integrity.

(2) The younger son of Eli ( 1 Samuel 1:3; 2 Esdras 1:2, "Phinees"). See Hophni And Phinehas .

(3) Father of a priest named Eleazar ( Ezra 8:33; compare  Ezra 8:2; 1 Esdras 8:63, "Phinees").

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Phinehas, 1

Phin´ehas, (mouth of brass), son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron the high-priest. An incident which illustrates the zealous and somewhat passionate character of Phinehas, occurred before the Israelites entered the Promised Land. The Israelites were encamped in the plains of Moab, and were lamenting the sin into which they had been seduced by the Midianites, when a prince of Judah named Zimri was beheld conducting a woman of Midian named Cozbi to his tent. The licentious effrontery of this act kindled the wrath of Phinehas, who hastened after them into the tent, and transfixed them both with his javelin (, sq.). This bold act pointed out Phinehas to Moses as a proper person to accompany as priest the expedition which was immediately after sent forth, under the command of Joshua, against the Midianites, and by which the cause of the deluded Israelites was abundantly avenged (, sq.). After the conquest of the Promised Land, when the warriors of the two and half tribes beyond the Jordan were permitted to return to their homes, Phinehas was at the head of the deputation sent after them to inquire and remonstrate concerning the altar which, on their way, they had set up on the bank of the Jordan; and it was he doubtless who pronounced the forcible address to the supposed offenders. He was certainly the first to express his satisfaction and joy at the explanation which was given, and which, with a lightened heart, he bore back to the tribes assembled at Shiloh (, sq.).

It appears that while his father lived Phinehas filled the post of superintendent or chief of the Levites, probably after Eleazar became high-priest . At the death of his father he succeeded to the pontificate but the only case in which he appears officially in the Bible is in connection with the unhappy circumstances recorded at the end of the book of Judges, in which he comes forward as high-priest to consult Jehovah. This mention of his name enables us to conclude that the chronological place of these occurrences would be rather towards the beginning than at the latter end of the book in which they are found [[[Judges; Priest]]]

Phinehas, 2

Phinehas, son of Eli the high-priest, and brother of Hophni [[[Eli; Hophni; Samuel]]]