apparently from פֶּה and a variation of נָחָשׁ; mouth of a serpent; Pinechas, the name of three Israelites; Phinehas.
Transliteration:Pîynᵉchâç
Pronunciation:pee-nekh-aws'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma פִּינְחָס (Pîynᵉchâç, `{{H6372}}`) is a proper noun, a personal name. Its base definition, as provided, suggests an etymological derivation from two Hebrew words: פֶּה (peh, `{{H6310}}`), meaning "mouth," and a variation of נָחָשׁ (nachash, `{{H5175}}`), meaning "serpent." Thus, the proposed meaning of the name is "mouth of a serpent." It is crucial to note that this is a proposed etymology ("apparently from"), and while intriguing, the primary semantic range of Pîynᵉchâç in biblical usage is solely as a designation for specific individuals. The name itself does not carry an active verbal or adjectival meaning within the biblical text beyond identifying a person.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Pîynᵉchâç (Phinehas) is attributed to three distinct individuals in the Hebrew Bible:
1. **Phinehas, Son of Eleazar and Grandson of Aaron:** This is by far the most prominent and significant figure bearing the name. He is a high priest whose actions profoundly impact Israel's history and priestly lineage.
* His defining moment occurs during the apostasy at Peor, where Israel engaged in idolatry and sexual immorality with Moabite women. Phinehas, demonstrating exceptional zeal for the Lord, executes an Israelite man and a Midianite woman who brazenly brought their illicit relationship into the camp ([[Numbers 25:6-8]]). This decisive act halted a plague that was devastating the Israelites.
* In response to Phinehas's zeal, the Lord commends him, stating that he "turned back My wrath from the sons of Israel" and grants him and his descendants "a covenant of a perpetual priesthood" ([[Numbers 25:10-13]]). This covenant of peace (בְּרִית שָׁלוֹם, berit shalom) secures his lineage in the priestly office.
* He subsequently participates in the holy war against Midian ([[Numbers 31:6]]).
* Later, he leads a delegation to confront the Transjordanian tribes about an altar they built, which was initially feared to be an act of rebellion but was clarified to be a memorial ([[Joshua 22:13-32]]).
* His righteous act is remembered and celebrated in the Psalms ([[Psalm 106:30-31]]), where it is "counted to him for righteousness." His lineage is also traced through various genealogical records ([[1 Chronicles 6:4-5]], [[1 Chronicles 9:20]], [[Ezra 7:5]], [[Nehemiah 11:14]]).
2. **Phinehas, Son of Eli:** In stark contrast to the first Phinehas, this individual represents a profound failure of the priesthood. He and his brother Hophni are described as "worthless men" who "did not know the Lord" ([[1 Samuel 2:12]]).
* They abused their priestly office, taking sacrifices improperly and engaging in sexual immorality at the tabernacle entrance ([[1 Samuel 2:13-17]], [[1 Samuel 2:22]]).
* Their corruption leads to divine judgment, prophesied by a man of God and later confirmed by Samuel ([[1 Samuel 2:27-36]], [[1 Samuel 3:11-14]]).
* Both Phinehas and Hophni die on the same day during a battle with the Philistines, where the Ark of the Covenant is captured ([[1 Samuel 4:11]], [[1 Samuel 4:17]]). Upon hearing of their deaths and the capture of the Ark, Phinehas's pregnant wife names their son Ichabod, declaring "The glory has departed from Israel" ([[1 Samuel 4:21-22]]).
3. **Phinehas, Father of Eleazar (of Ezra's time):** This Phinehas is mentioned in the post-exilic period as part of a priestly lineage. In [[Ezra 8:33]], a certain Eleazar, son of Phinehas, is listed among those who weighed the silver and gold brought back to Jerusalem. He is also mentioned in the lineage of those who returned with Ezra ([[Ezra 8:2]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Etymological Roots:**
* פֶּה (peh, `{{H6310}}`): "mouth," which can denote speech, command, or an opening.
* נָחָשׁ (nachash, `{{H5175}}`): "serpent," a creature often associated with deception, temptation (as in Eden, [[Genesis 3:1-15]]), or divine judgment (e.g., the bronze serpent, [[Numbers 21:8-9]]).
* **Thematic Connections:**
* **Zeal/Jealousy for God:** The concept of קַנָּא (qanna', `{{H7067}}`, "jealous"), often used to describe God's fervent commitment to His covenant, is vividly embodied by the first Phinehas. His actions reflect a zeal for God's holiness.
* **Priesthood:** The role and responsibilities of the כֹּהֵן (kohen, `{{H3548}}`, "priest") are central to both prominent Phinehases. The first upholds the sanctity of the office, while the second profanes it.
* **Covenant:** The בְּרִית (berit, `{{H1285}}`, "covenant") is a key concept, particularly the "covenant of peace" and "perpetual priesthood" granted to Phinehas's lineage ([[Numbers 25:12-13]]).
* **Apostasy and Idolatry:** The context of the first Phinehas's act involves Israel's spiritual harlotry (זָנָה, zanah, `{{H2181}}`) with Baal of Peor, highlighting the dangers of covenant unfaithfulness.
* **Holiness and Profanity:** The contrasting lives of the two main Phinehases underscore the tension between maintaining divine holiness and succumbing to spiritual and moral defilement.
* **Divine Judgment and Blessing:** The narratives demonstrate God's swift judgment upon sin and His faithful blessing upon those who uphold His righteousness.
### Theological Significance
The name Pîynᵉchâç, though a proper noun, carries profound theological weight primarily through the actions and contrasting fates of the two most prominent individuals who bore it.
1. **The Nature of Righteous Zeal:** The first Phinehas stands as a powerful exemplar of righteous zeal for God's holiness and covenant. His intervention at Peor, though violent, was divinely sanctioned because it stemmed from a pure desire to uphold God's honor and avert further divine wrath upon Israel. This act demonstrates that true faith sometimes requires decisive action against sin, protecting the integrity of the community and the purity of worship. God's response – the covenant of peace and perpetual priesthood – underscores His approval of such uncompromised devotion, establishing a lasting blessing for faithfulness. This narrative teaches that God values those who passionately defend His truth and holiness, even when it demands costly action.
2. **The Peril of Priestly Corruption:** The second Phinehas, son of Eli, serves as a stark theological counterpoint. His life illustrates the devastating consequences of priestly corruption and the profanation of sacred office. His and Hophni's actions highlight that lineage or position within God's service does not guarantee righteousness or immunity from judgment. Their disregard for God's laws and the sanctity of the tabernacle brought shame upon the priesthood and ultimately led to divine judgment, including their deaths and the temporary loss of the Ark of the Covenant, signifying the departure of God's glory. This narrative is a sober warning about the responsibility inherent in sacred service and the severe consequences of spiritual negligence and moral depravity.
3. **The Dual Nature of the Name's Etymology:** While speculative, the proposed etymology "mouth of a serpent" can be pondered for its potential symbolic resonance with the characters. For the zealous Phinehas, it might subtly allude to the sharp, decisive, and perhaps "biting" nature of his judgment against sin, cutting off the venom of apostasy. For the corrupt Phinehas, it could evoke the destructive and deceptive nature of the serpent in Eden, leading to spiritual death and the erosion of divine blessing. This duality, though not explicitly drawn in the text, adds a layer of interpretative depth to the contrasting narratives.
### Summary
Pîynᵉchâç (`{{H6372}}`), transliterated as Phinehas, is a Hebrew proper name, etymologically suggested to mean "mouth of a serpent." The biblical narrative features three individuals named Phinehas, with two holding significant theological import due to their contrasting lives. The first, Phinehas son of Eleazar, serves as a model of righteous zeal and unwavering devotion to God's covenant. His decisive action against sin at Peor averted a plague and earned him and his descendants a perpetual covenant of priesthood and peace ([[Numbers 25:10-13]]), a testament to divine approval of uncompromising faithfulness. In stark opposition, Phinehas son of Eli exemplifies the corruption of the priesthood. His and his brother Hophni's sacrilegious and immoral conduct led to divine judgment, their deaths, and the temporary loss of the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing the departure of God's glory ([[1 Samuel 2:12-17]], [[1 Samuel 4:11-22]]). The third Phinehas is mentioned in the post-exilic lineage of those returning with Ezra ([[Ezra 8:33]]). The study of Pîynᵉchâç thus offers profound insights into the critical importance of personal righteousness within sacred office, the consequences of both zealous obedience and flagrant disobedience, and the enduring nature of God's covenants of blessing and judgment.
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