PHINEHAS
(Egyptian name: “the Nubian”).
(a) Son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron. He showed his zeal for God by killing Zimri and Cozbi, thereby receiving blessing from God, making with him “a covenant of the perpetual priesthood.” He succeeded Eleazar as high priest (Ex. 6:25; Num. 25:7-13; 31:6; Josh. 22:13-32; Judges 20:28; 1 Chron. 6:4, 50; 9: 20; Ezra 7:5; 8:2; Ps. 106:30).
(b) Son of Eli. He degraded the priesthood because of his iniquity, and was killed in battle with his brother Hophni when the ark was taken by the Philistines. He was the father of Ahitob and Ichabod. His wife, overcome with grief, died in childbirth (1 Sam. 1:3; 2:34; 4:4-19; 14:3).
(c) Father of Eleazar, returned from the Babylonian exile (Ezra 8:33).