Phinehas
maleExodusMeaning: “Mouth of brass; oracle”
The grandson of Aaron whose zeal for God halted a plague at Peor; God granted him and his descendants an everlasting priesthood.
Biography
Phinehas, son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron, is remembered for a single decisive act of zeal that turned away God's wrath from Israel.
Zeal at Peor
When Israel fell into idolatry and immorality with Moab at Baal-peor, a plague broke out. As an Israelite man brazenly brought a Midianite woman into the camp, Phinehas took a javelin and ran them both through. "So the plague was stayed" — twenty-four thousand had died (Numbers 25:7–9).
A covenant of peace
God commended his zeal and granted him a remarkable promise: "Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace… the covenant of an everlasting priesthood" (Numbers 25:12–13). Phinehas later served as a priest in the conquest and into the days of the judges (Judges 20:28), and the Psalmist recalls that his act "was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations" (Psalm 106:31).
Life Timeline
Stays the plague at Peor by his zeal
Granted the covenant of an everlasting priesthood
On the Bible timeline
Phinehas belongs to the The Exodus & Wilderness era (c. 1446 BC (early) / 1260 BC (late)).
- c. 1446 BC (early) / 1260 BC (late)The Exodus from Egypt
- c. 1446 BCThe Law Given at Sinai
- c. 1406 BCThe Conquest of Canaan
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Phinehas
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Phinehas appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
11 verses in 5 booksExodus1 verse
Exodus 6:25
And Eleazar Aaron's son took him one of the daughters of Putiel to wife; and she bare him Phinehas: these are the heads of the fathers of the Levites according to their families.
Numbers3 verses
Numbers 25:7
And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand;
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, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy. for: Heb. with my zeal
Numbers 31:6
And Moses sent them to the war, a thousand of every tribe, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the holy instruments, and the trumpets to blow in his hand.
Joshua5 verses
Joshua 22:13
And the 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 of Eleazar the priest,
Joshua 22:30
And when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation and heads of the thousands of Israel which were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spake, it pleased them. pleased: Heb. was good in their eyes
Joshua 22:31
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the LORD is among us, because ye have not committed this trespass against the LORD: now ye have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD. now: Heb. then
Joshua 22:32
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, unto the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them word again.
Joshua 24:33
And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him in a hill that pertained to Phinehas his son, which was given him in mount Ephraim.
Judges1 verse
Judges 20:28
And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the LORD said, Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand.
Psalms1 verse
Psalms 106:30
Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed.
Frequently asked about Phinehas
Who was Phinehas in the Bible?
The grandson of Aaron whose zeal for God halted a plague at Peor; God granted him and his descendants an everlasting priesthood.
What does the name Phinehas mean?
The name Phinehas means “Mouth of brass; oracle”.
What did Phinehas do in the Bible?
Phinehas served as priest, of the tribe of Levi.
Who were Phinehas's parents?
Phinehas was the child of Eleazar.
Where does Phinehas appear in the Bible?
Phinehas is mentioned 11 times across 5 books: Exodus, Numbers, Joshua, Judges, Psalms.
What can we learn from Phinehas?
The story of Phinehas touches on themes of phinehas, haste, reubenites, war — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Phinehas's life.
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