Phinehas
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
—the name of three persons. (1) (Exod. 6:25; Num. 25:7–13) the son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron. During Israel’s apostasy at Baal-peor he killed Zimri, a Simeonite leader, and Cozbi, a Midianite woman, and the plague ceased. The narrative commends his zeal for the covenant and records God’s covenant of perpetual priesthood with his line; it describes a particular act within Israel’s theocratic judgment and is not a general authorization for private religious violence. Phinehas later accompanied the force sent against Midian and led the delegation that investigated the altar built by the Transjordan tribes, where his zeal was joined to patient inquiry and reconciliation (Num. 31:6–8; Josh. 22:13–34).
He succeeded Eleazar as high priest (Judg. 20:28). The priesthood later passed through Eli’s line of Ithamar before Solomon established Zadok, a descendant of Eleazar, in the high priesthood (1 Kings 2:27, 35).