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Meaning, origin and etymology of the name Phinehas


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Phinehas Phinehas

There are three men named Phinehas in the Bible. The first Phinehas is the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron. This Phinehas is famous for staying the plague caused by Israel's sins with Baal Peor (Num 25). Just as God tells Moses to execute all the leaders of Israel and the people rise in agony and weeping, a Simeonite called Zimri decides to introduce his Midianite play mate Cozbi to his relatives. Phinehas sees this and runs after them and gores them both with his spear.
Another Phinehas is one of two wicked sons of Eli, the tutor of young Samuel (1 Sam 2:34). Phinehas number three is the father of a postexilic priest (Ezra 8:33), named Eleazar.

The etymology and original meaning of the name Phinehas is not clear. BDB suggests that it is a transliteration of the Egyptian name Pe-nehasi, meaning The Negro, or more specifically, the bronze-colored one, says TWOTOT . A Hebrew audience may have seen in this name a compound of the words peh (peh 1738) meaning mouth; and the root nhsh (nhsh 1347 -1350):
The assumed root nhsh (nhsh 1347) yields derivation nhsh (nahash 1347a), meaning serpent, snake (as in Eden).
The verb nhsh (nahash 1348) means learn by experience or by omen. Derivation nhsh (nahash 1348a) means divination.
The assumed root nhsh (nhsh 1349) yields nehoshet (nehoshet 1349a), copper; nahush (nahush 1349b), bronze; and nehusha (nehusha 1349c), copper, bronze.
The assumed root nhsh (nhsh 1350) yields derivation nehoshet (nehoshet 1350a), lust, harlotry.

Hence, to a Hebrew audience the name Phinehas may mean Mouth of Brass (Jones), or Oracle (NOBSE). A related name is Nahash.

However, more related to the name may be the verbs pana (pana 1782), to turn, with derivation panim (panim 1782), face (literally: turnings). Derivation penima (penima 1782c) means toward the inside, and penimi (penimi 1782d) means inner. Perhaps the face was seen as portal to the inside of a person.
And the verb hasa (hasa 700), seek refuge, flee for protection. The latter verb is used figuratively, to mean put trust in (God), confide, hope in.

This way the name Phinehas means Turn And Hide; or, slightly more daring, Trust Your Heart.



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