Bible Dictionary
Phinehas
Phinehas was the name of Eleazar’s son, who zealously defended Israel’s holiness at Baal-peor and later served as priest, and also of Eli’s sinful son who died in battle with the Philistines. A third Phinehas was an ancestor of a priestly family.
Definition
Phinehas is the name of several biblical men. The most prominent was the son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron, who zealously opposed immorality at Shittim, served as priest, and later led important inquiries and military or civil actions. Another was Eli’s sinful son, and a third was an ancestor of a priestly family.
Biblical Usage
The son of Eleazar received divine approval for his zeal, and his faithful service secured the succession of the priesthood to his house. He led Israel’s response to the Midianites, represented the people before the eastern tribes, and gave the priestly decision during the conflict with Benjamin.
Historical Background
The supplied material explains the name as “mouth of brass.” Phinehas was associated with the priesthood and the Levites, and he served during Israel’s wilderness, settlement, and early national periods.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Mouth of brass, or from old Egypt, the negro. (1.) Son of Eleazar, the high priest (Ex. 6:25). While yet a youth he distinguished himself at Shittim by his zeal against the immorality into which the Moabites had tempted the people (Num. 25:1-9), and thus “stayed the plague” that had broken out among the people, and by which twenty-four thousand of them perished. For his faithfulness on that occasion he received the divine approbation (10-13). He afterwards commanded the army that went out against the Midianites (31:6-8). When representatives of the people were sent to expostulate with the two and a half tribes who, just after crossing Jordan, built an altar and departed without giving any explanation, Phinehas was their leader, and addressed them in the words recorded in Josh. 22:16-20. Their explanation follows. This great altar was intended to be all ages only a witness that they still formed a part of Israel. Phinehas was afterwards the chief adviser in the war with the Benjamites. He is commemorated in Ps. 106:30, 31. (See ED.) (2.) One of the sons of Eli, the high priest (1 Sam. 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 Sam. 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).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(mouth of brass).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>fin'-e-as, -az, fin'-e-has, -haz (pinechac, "mouth of brass"):</p><p>(1) Son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron (Ex 6:25; compare 1Ch 6:4; Ezr 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 (Nu 25:6-18). This incident is referred to in Ps 106:30,31 (compare 1 Macc 2:26,54; Sirach 45:23,24). As priest he accompanied the expedition sent by Moses against Midjan (Nu 31:6). He was chief of the Korahite Levites (1Ch 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 (Jud 20:28). His faithful services secured to his house the succession of the priesthood (Nu 25:11-13). He was sent as ambassador to inquire into the reported idolatry of Reuben, Gad and part of Manasseh (Jos 22:13ff, 30-32). According to Septuagint he was buried with his father in Ephraim on the hill Gibeah Phinehas (see Jos 24:33). His character was marked with strong moral indignation and fine integrity.</p><p>(2) The younger son of Eli (1Sa 1:3; 2 Esdras 1:2, "Phinees").</p><p>See HOPHNI AND PHINEHAS.</p><p>(3) Father of a priest named Eleazar (Ezr 8:33; compare Ezr 8:2; 1 Esdras 8:63, "Phinees").</p><p>Henry Wallace</p>