Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Mouth of brass, or from old Egypt, the negro. ) Son of Eleazar, the high priest (Ex. 6:25). While yet a youth he distinguished himself at Shittim by his zeal against the immorality into which the Moabites had tempted the people (Num. 25:1-9), and thus “stayed the plague” that had broken out among the people, and by which twenty-four thousand of them perished. For his faithfulness on that occasion he received the divine approbation (10-13). He afterwards commanded the army that went out against the Midianites (31:6-8).
When representatives of the people were sent to expostulate with the two and a half tribes who, just after crossing Jordan, built an altar and departed without giving any explanation, Phinehas was their leader, and addressed them in the words recorded in Josh. 22:16-20. Their explanation follows. This great altar was intended to be all ages only a witness that they still formed a part of Israel. Phinehas was afterwards the chief adviser in the war with the Benjamites. He is commemorated in Ps. 106:30, 31. ) One of the sons of Eli, the high priest (1 Sam. 1:3; 2:12).
He and his brother Hophni were guilty of great crimes, for which destruction came on the house of Eli (31). He died in battle with the Philistines (1 Sam. 4:4, 11); and his wife, on hearing of his death, gave birth to a son, whom she called “Ichabod,” and then she died (19-22).
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
(mouth of brass).
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898) & Schaff's Bible Dictionary
PHIN'EHAS (brazen mouth). A son of Eleazar, and grandson of Aaron, Ex 6:25; 1 Chr 6:4, 1 Chr 6:50 filled the office of high priest of the Jews for nearly twenty years. His zeal and promptitude in punishing the sin of Zimri turned away the anger of the Lord against the nation, and was rewarded by the promise to his family of perpetual succession in the Jewish priesthood. Num 25:6-15. This promise was fulfilled; for except the interval from Eli to Zadok, the priesthood continued in the family of Phinehas until the destruction of the temple and the captivity of the nation.
A son of Eli, and noted for his wickedness. 1 Sam 1:3; 1 Sam 2:34; 1 Sam 4:4, 1 Sam 4:11, 1 Sam 4:17, 1 Sam 4:19; 1 Sam 14:3. A Levite in the time of Ezra. Ezr 8:33.
Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869)
bold aspect; face of trust or protection