Son of Eleazar, the high priest ([Ex. 6:25](/exod#Exod.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](/num#Num.25.1)), 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](/josh#Josh.22.16). 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](/ps#Ps.106.30), [31](/ps#Ps.106.31).