Meaning
A Hebrew male personal name of uncertain origin; the Bible uses the name for more than one Israelite.
Biblical Usage
Phinehas is the name of more than one man in Scripture. The most prominent are Phinehas the son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron, and Phinehas the son of Eli and brother of Hophni.
The Phinehas associated with 1 Samuel was a priest at Shiloh and the son of Eli. He and his brother Hophni were condemned for their wicked conduct and were killed when the Philistines captured the ark of God.
Key References
- Exodus 6:25 — Phinehas is identified as the son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron.
- Numbers 25:7 — Phinehas son of Eleazar acts during Israel’s sin at Baal-peor.
- Numbers 25:11 — The LORD speaks concerning Phinehas’s zeal.
- Joshua 22:13 — Phinehas is sent with the princes of Israel.
- Judges 20:28 — Phinehas serves before the ark of the covenant.
- 1 Samuel 1:3 — Phinehas son of Eli serves as a priest at Shiloh.
- 1 Samuel 2:34 — The coming death of Eli’s two sons is given as a sign.
- 1 Samuel 4:11 — Phinehas and Hophni are killed when the ark is captured.
- Psalm 106:30 — Phinehas is remembered for his action during Israel’s rebellion.
- Ezra 7:5 — Phinehas appears in the priestly genealogy.
Related Terms
- Eli
- Hophni
- Aaron
- Eleazar
- Priest