Phinehas, Son of Eli (פִּינְחָס, pinechas). Son of the priest Eli. His name is derived from the Egyptian word Pe-nehasi, meaning “the dark-skinned.” His brother’s name, Hophni, is also of Egyptian origin.

Phinehas, Hophni, and Eli served as priests at the Israelite shrine in Shiloh. The narrative about Phinehas coincides with the description of the rise of the prophet Samuel. In contrast to Hannah and Samuel, Eli and his sons were corrupt and brought the worship of Yahweh into disrepute through their greed and immorality. Ultimately, Phinehas and his brother died in battle. At the news of his death, Phinehas’ pregnant wife went into premature labor and gave birth to a son whom she named Ichabod (אִי־כָבוֹד, i-khavod), meaning “the glory has departed” (1 Sam 4:21).

The incident of the priests Phinehas and Hophni accompanying the ark of the covenant into battle calls to mind occasions when the earlier Phinehas filled this same role (Num 31; Josh 22). However, the character of Phinehas, son of Eli, was exactly opposite that of his predecessor, and the outcome was drastically different.