phinehas Summary and Overview

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 T0001125.) (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).

(mouth of brass). 1. Son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron. #Ex 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. #Nu 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. #Nu 25:10-13| He was appointed to accompany as priest the expedition by which the Midianites were destroyed. ch. #Nu 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. #Jos 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. #Jud 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. #1Sa 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] 3. A Levite of Ezra's time, #Ezr 8:33| unless the meaning be that Eleazar was of the family of the great Phinehas.

PHIN'EHAS (brazen mouth). 1. A son of Eleazar, and grandson of Aaron, Ex 6:25; 1 Chr 6:4, 1 Chr 6:50 filled the office of high priest of the Jews for nearly twenty years. His zeal and promptitude in punishing the sin of Zimri turned away the anger of the Lord against the nation, and was rewarded by the promise to his family of perpetual succession in the Jewish priesthood. Num 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 captivity of the nation. 2. A son of Eli, and noted for his wickedness. 1 Sam 1:3; 1 Sam 2:34; 1 Sam 4:4, 1 Sam 4:11, 1 Sam 4:17, 1 Sam 4:19; 1 Sam 14:3. 3. A Levite in the time of Ezra. Ezr 8:33.

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; Psalm 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.)