פִּינְחָס (pin.chas)
pin.chas
Phinehas
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 22 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Phinehas, meaning "mouth of brass," identifies three distinct men in the Old Testament who served in priestly or leadership roles. The most prominent is the grandson of Aaron, son of Eleazar, whose zeal for God’s law stopped a plague among Israel (Numbers 25:7-13). This act secured a covenant of an everlasting priesthood for his family line.
Later, the name appears again for a son of the high priest Eli, who served at the tabernacle during the time of Samuel (1 Samuel 1:3). A third Phinehas is listed as an ancestor of Ezra, connecting the post-exilic leadership back to these earlier priestly figures (Ezra 8:2).
While the name itself may derive from Egyptian roots referring to a negro or servant, its biblical usage emphasizes continuity within the priestly line. The sources note that this Phinehas is mentioned in contexts involving the ark of the covenant and the division of the land, highlighting his role in maintaining religious order during Israel’s transition into the Promised Land.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Phinehas appears in Scripture as a bridge between generations of faithfulness. In Numbers, his decisive action to stop Israel’s idolatry halted a plague and secured a lasting covenant for his family. This moment shows how standing firm in God’s truth can protect a whole community from harm.
Yet the name also marks a somber transition. Later, Phinehas serves alongside Eli’s sons at Shiloh, witnessing the decline of the priesthood and the loss of the Ark. His presence there reminds us that religious office alone does not guarantee spiritual health; true leadership requires personal integrity and reverence for God.
Finally, his lineage connects to Ezra, showing how God preserves faithful lines through exile and restoration. Whether in moments of zeal or times of decline, Phinehas illustrates the importance of remaining rooted in covenant loyalty.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 22 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Phinehas15×
- and/ Phinehas7×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פִּֽינְחָ֣ס4×
- פִּֽינְחָס֙2×
- פִּֽינְחָ֑ס2×
- וּ/פִֽינְחָֽס\׃2×
- פִּינְחָס֮1×
- פִּינְחָ֨ס1×
- פִּינְחָ֖ס1×
- פִּֽינְחָ֨ס1×
- פִּֽ֭ינְחָס1×
- פִּ֨ינְחָ֜ס1×
- פִֽינְחָס֙1×
- וּ֠/פִינְחָס1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 25:11
“Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, in that he was jealous with my jealousy among them, so that I didn’t consume the children of Israel in my jealousy.
This verse records God’s direct affirmation that Phinehas’ jealousy turned away wrath, highlighting the spiritual weight of zealous obedience.
-
Joshua 22:31
Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the children of Reuben, to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, “Today we know that Yahweh is among us, because you have not committed this trespass against Yahweh. Now you have delivered the children of Israel out of Yahweh’s hand.”
Here Phinehas recognizes that the tribes’ explanation preserved unity, showing how discernment can prevent unnecessary conflict within the community.
-
I Samuel 4:11
God’s ark was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.
The death of this Phinehas marks the tragic end of his father’s corrupt priestly line, contrasting sharply with the earlier faithful Phinehas.
-
Ezra 8:2
Of the sons of Phinehas, Gershom. Of the sons of Ithamar, Daniel. Of the sons of David, Hattush.
This brief mention links the post-exilic leadership back to Aaron, demonstrating God’s long-term preservation of His people through generations.