One of the sons of Eli. His name signifies to cover, from the Hebrew Chaphah. This man's history is a very awful one, as we read it, 1 Samuel 2:1-36; 1 Samuel 3:1-21; 1 Samuel 4:1-22. His brother Phinehas, or Pinehai more properly, and which signifies a countenance or face, from Panah, to behold, was another such a character as himself. Both lived in the commission of the same sins, and both died under the same judgment of God. The infamy of these men while ministering before the Lord, the Holy Ghost hath faithfully recorded; and their history presents itself as a monument in the church, to be read by all that minister in holy things. Oh, that the Lord may cause it to operate as an alarm in the Lord's holy mountain!
The sin of those priests respecting the sacrifice is not, at first view, so generally understood. The peace-offerings, as prescribed by the law, (Leviticus 3:1, etc.) give directions for the fat of the beasts offered in sacrifice, and also for the parts to be taken away. The portion allotted to the priests Moses directed. (Leviticus 7:31-34) For the servants, therefore, to demand the portion for his master before the Lord's portion, was irreverent and unbecoming. Add to this, they were not content with the priest's portion, it should seem, but took more, and that, if not immediately given, by violence. They were what the prophet called "greedy dogs, that never could have enough." (Isaiah 56:11) The irreverence of the priests brought contempt, as might well be supposed, upon the offerings of the Lord. Alas! what accumulated evils follow the commission of sin in the service of the sanctuary!
See Eli