Topical Encyclopedia
Background and Lineage:Phinehas was a prominent figure in the Old Testament, known for his zealousness for God's holiness. He was the son of Eleazar and the grandson of Aaron, the first high priest of Israel (
Exodus 6:25). As a member of the Levitical priesthood, Phinehas played a significant role in the spiritual leadership of Israel.
Zeal for God's Holiness:Phinehas is most renowned for his decisive action during the incident at Peor, as recorded in
Numbers 25. When the Israelites began to engage in idolatry and immorality with the Moabite women, God's anger was kindled against them. In response, Phinehas took a spear and executed an Israelite man and a Midianite woman who were flagrantly sinning, thus halting a plague that had already claimed 24,000 lives. The Lord commended Phinehas for his zeal, saying, "Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned My wrath away from the Israelites, for he was zealous for My zeal among them, so that I did not consume the Israelites in My zeal" (
Numbers 25:11). As a result, God made a covenant of peace with him, promising that his descendants would have a lasting priesthood (
Numbers 25:12-13).
Role in the Conquest of Canaan:Phinehas continued to serve as a leader during the conquest of Canaan. He was involved in the distribution of the land among the tribes of Israel and played a key role in maintaining the spiritual integrity of the nation. In
Joshua 22, when a potential conflict arose between the tribes east of the Jordan and the rest of Israel, Phinehas led a delegation to investigate the situation. His diplomatic and spiritual leadership helped to avert a civil war by clarifying the intentions of the eastern tribes, who had built an altar as a witness to their shared faith in the Lord.
Later Leadership and Legacy:Phinehas's influence extended into the period of the Judges. He is mentioned in
Judges 20:28 as serving before the Ark of the Covenant during a time of national crisis, indicating his continued role in guiding Israel spiritually. His legacy is one of fervent commitment to God's commands and the purity of worship among the Israelites.
Significance in Biblical Theology:Phinehas's actions at Peor are often cited as an example of righteous indignation and the importance of upholding God's holiness. His account underscores the seriousness with which God views idolatry and immorality and highlights the role of the priesthood in leading the people in covenant faithfulness. The covenant of peace granted to Phinehas and his descendants serves as a testament to God's reward for those who are zealous for His name.
References in Scripture:·
Numbers 25: The account of Phinehas's zealous act and God's covenant of peace.
·
Joshua 22: Phinehas's role in resolving the altar dispute.
·
Judges 20:28: Phinehas's service during the time of the Judges.
Phinehas remains a figure of devotion and zeal, exemplifying the call to uphold God's standards in the face of cultural and spiritual challenges. His life and actions continue to inspire those who seek to live faithfully according to God's Word.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Phinehasbold aspect; face of trust or protection
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Phinehas(mouth of brass).
- 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. ch. (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 atAwertah , four miles southeast ofNablus .
- Second son of Eli. (1 Samuel 1:3;2:34;4:4,11,17,19;14:3) Phinehas was killed with his brother by the Philistines when the ark was captured. (B.C. 1125.) [ELI]
- A Levite of Ezra's time, (Ezra 8:33) unless the meaning be that Eleazar was of the family of the great Phinehas.
ATS Bible Dictionary
Phinehas1. 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 31:6Psalm 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, Jud 20:28.
2. A son of Eli the high priest. See HOPHNI.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Mouth of brass, or from old Egypt.
(1.) Son of Eleazar, the high priest (Exodus 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 (Numbers 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 inJoshua 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 inPsalm 106:30, 31. (seeED.)
(2.) 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).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
HOPHNI AND PHINEHAShof'-ni, fin'-e-as, -az (chophni, "pugilist" (?), pinechac, probably "face of brass"): Sons of Eli, priests of the sanctuary at Shiloh. Their character was wicked enough to merit the double designation "sons of Eli" and (the King James Version) "sons of Belial" (the Revised Version, margin "base men,"1 Samuel 2:12). Their evil practices are described (1 Samuel 2:12-17). Twice is Eli warned concerning them, once by an unknown prophet (1 Samuel 2:27) and again by the lips of the young Samuel (1 Samuel 3:11-18). The curse fell at the battle of Aphek (1 Samuel 4:1-18) at which the brothers were slain, the ark was taken and the disaster occurred which caused Eli's death. Phinehas was father of the posthumous Ichabod, whose name marks the calamity (see ICHABOD). A remoter sequel to the prophetic warnings is seen in the deposition of Abiathar, of the house of Eli, from the priestly office (1 Kings 2:26, 27, 35).
Henry Wallace
PHINEHAS
fin'-e-as, -az, fin'-e-has, -haz (pinechac, "mouth of brass"):
(1) Son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron (Exodus 6:25; compare1 Chronicles 6:4Ezra 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 inPsalm 106:30, 31 (compare 1 Maccabees 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). 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;Joshua 30-32). According to Septuagint he was buried with his father in Ephraim on the hill Gibeah Phinehas (seeJoshua 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").
SeeHOPHNI AND PHINEHAS.
(3) Father of a priest named Eleazar (Ezra 8:33; compareEzra 8:2; 1 Esdras 8:63, "Phinees").
Henry Wallace
Strong's Hebrew
350. I-kabod -- "inglorious," a son ofPhinehasI-kabod. 349, 350. I-kabod. 351 . "inglorious," a son of
Phinehas. Transliteration:
I-kabod Phonetic Spelling: (ee-kaw-bode') Short Definition: Ichabod.
...6372. Pinechas -- three Israelites
... three Israelites. Transliteration: Pinechas Phonetic Spelling: (pee-nekh-aws') Short
Definition:Phinehas.... NASB Word UsagePhinehas (24),Phinehas' (1).Phinehas...
Library
Exile: Appeals for aPhinehas, and a Jehu: 1554
... CHAPTER V: EXILE: APPEALS FOR APHINEHAS, AND A JEHU: 1554.... However this delicate
point may be settled, the appeal for aPhinehas is certainly unchristian....
Religious Zeal.
... Eli, the priest and judge of Israel, had two sons, Hophni andPhinehas, and they
were priests in Shiloh.... The news also reached the wife ofPhinehas....
Appendix viii. Rabbinic Traditions About Elijah, the Forerunner of...
... on Exodus 23:20, ed. Warsh. p.91 a, lines 4 and 5 from the top). Another curious
tradition identifies Elijah withPhinehas (Targum Pseudo-Jon. on Exodus 6:18)....
Faithlessness and Defeat
... bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth between
the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni andPhinehas, were there...
Synagogues in the City; and Schools.
... "R.Phinehas, in the name of R. Hoshaia, saith... "R.Phinehas, in the name of R. Hoshaia,
saith, There were four hundred and eighty synagogues in Jerusalem," &c....
There have Come to Me Ransomers from among the Saints, but None...
...Phinehas the zealous pierced and gave me, on the head of his spear for my delight,
Zimri and Cozbi both together; on the head of his lance he presented them to...
Of the Birth of John, and of his Alleged Identity with Elijah. Of...
... As for the change of name, a thing which reminds us of mysteries, I do not know
how the Hebrews came to tell aboutPhinehas, son of Eleazar, who admittedly...
Of those Things which a Man of God Spake by the Spirit to Eli the...
... And this shall be a sign unto thee that shall come upon these thy two sons,
Hophni andPhinehas; in one day they shall die both of them....
Numbers
... to the seductions of idolatry and impurity,[1] and the fearful punishment which
fell upon her for her sin was only stayed by the zeal ofPhinehas, the high...
Is God in the Camp?
... character. In their distress, instead of calling upon God, they sent for
Hophni andPhinehas. Why did their hearts turn to them?...
Thesaurus
Phinehas (24 Occurrences)... 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
...Phin'ehas (24 Occurrences)
Phin'ehas.Phinehas, Phin'ehas. Phinoe .... Exodus 6:25 And Eleazar Aaron's son
took him one of the daughters of Putiel to wife; and she bore himPhinehas....
Abishua (5 Occurrences)
... (1.) The grandson of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 8:4). (2.) The son ofPhinehas
the high priest (1 Chronicles 6:4, 5, 50; Ezra 7:5). Int....
Gibeath (2 Occurrences)
... river and Jericho. (2) GibeathPhinehas (gibh`ath pinechac), the burial
place of Eleazar the son of Aaron in Mt. Ephraim (Joshua...
Hophni (5 Occurrences)
... They both perished in the disastrous battle with the Philistines at Aphek (4:11).
(seePHINEHAS.). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HOPHNI ANDPHINEHAS....
Phinees
... fin'-e-es (Phinees; Codex Vaticanus (Swete), Pheinees (1 Esdras 8:2)): (1)Phinehas,
son of Eleazar, son of Aaron (1 Esdras 5:5; 8:2, 29; 2 Esdras 1:2; 1...
Elea'zar (72 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Exodus 6:25 And Eleazar Aaron's son took him one of the daughters
of Putiel to wife; and she bore himPhinehas. These...
Gadites (32 Occurrences)
... children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad,
and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead,Phinehas the son...
Zimri (16 Occurrences)
... (1.) A son of Salu, slain byPhinehas, the son of Eleazar, because of his wickedness
in bringing a Midianitish woman into his tent (Numbers 25:6-15)....
Eli (36 Occurrences)
... His sons Hophni andPhinehas grossly misconducted themselves, to the great disgust
of the people (1 Samuel 2:27-36). They were licentious reprobates....
Resources
Who was Eli in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhy was the altar in Joshua 22:10 34 such a big deal? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Jacob give Joseph a coat of many colors? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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