📖 Biblical Definition
Phinehas was the grandson of Aaron, son of Eleazar, the priest whose zeal at Baal-peor (Numbers 25) ended a plague. When an Israelite man brought a Midianite woman into his tent in defiance of the LORD's command, Phinehas took a javelin and killed both. The plague stopped; 24,000 had died. The LORD gave Phinehas the covenant of an everlasting priesthood (Num 25:11-13). Psalm 106:30-31 names the act as counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Aaron's grandson; high priest whose zeal at Baal-peor stopped a plague (Numbers 25).
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Numbers 25:1-13 records the episode at Shittim. Israel had begun to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab, joined to Baal-peor; the LORD's anger was kindled; a plague was killing the people. Phinehas took action.
His covenant of peace and everlasting priesthood (Num 25:12-13) was passed through his line to the high-priestly succession of Zadok, the line that served at the temple under David and Solomon. The Maccabean priests later traced themselves to Phinehas as well.
📖 Key Scripture
Numbers 25:11 — "Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them."
Numbers 25:13 — "And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God."
Psalm 106:30 — "Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed."
Psalm 106:31 — "And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity is often uncomfortable with Phinehas; the LORD's commendation is unambiguous, and the covenant of peace flowed from his zeal.
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The episode is morally complex by modern standards but theologically clear in its time. The Israelite man's defiance was open rebellion against the LORD; the plague was already killing Israel; Phinehas's action stopped the plague. The LORD called it zealous for my sake.
The household need not imitate Phinehas's specific act (it was under unique theocratic conditions). But the principle — passion for the LORD's honor that intervenes when His people are sliding into open apostasy — remains commendable. The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up (Ps 69:9, applied to Christ in Jn 2:17) shares the spirit.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew Pinchas; meaning uncertain.
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Hebrew Pinchas — possibly from Egyptian Pa-Nehasi (the Nubian); a name with Egyptian roots.
Note: distinct from Phinehas son of Eli (1 Sam 1-4), the corrupt later priest.
Usage
"Was zealous for my sake among them."
"Counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations."
"Passion for the LORD's honor intervening when His people slide."