Daughter of Putiel
Who was Daughter of Putiel in the Bible?
A woman of the tribe of Levi by marriage who was the wife of the priest Eleazar and the mother of the High Priest Phinehas.
The daughter of Putiel is a figure mentioned in the genealogical records of the Exodus. She represents a crucial link in the high priestly lineage of Israel, serving as the bridge between the first generation of the Aaronic priesthood and its subsequent succession through her son, Phinehas. While her personal name is not preserved in the Masoretic Text, her inclusion in the lineage of the Levite heads underscores her social and religious standing.
She lived during the era of the Egyptian Sojourn and the subsequent Wilderness wanderings. By marrying Eleazar, the son of Aaron, she entered the immediate family of the first High Priest of Israel. Her primary recognition in the biblical text is as the mother of Phinehas, a man noted for his zeal for the Lord, ensuring the continuation of the priesthood that would serve Israel for centuries.
Background and Family
The daughter of Putiel appears in the biblical record within the context of the genealogical lists found in Exodus 6. This section of scripture is dedicated to outlining the heads of the Levite families by their clans, providing the legal and ancestral framework for the priesthood. She is identified specifically as the child of Putiel. The name Putiel is unique in the Hebrew Bible; while its exact etymology is debated, it is often interpreted as a hybrid name potentially meaning "afflicted of God" or "God gives," though some scholars suggest Egyptian linguistic influences.
Her marriage to Eleazar, the son of Aaron, placed her at the heart of the developing Israelite religious infrastructure. Since Aaron was the brother of Moses and the first High Priest, her position as a daughter-in-law to Aaron signifies she was part of the nascent Israelite nobility during the trek from Egypt to Canaan.
Major Life Events
The biblical record is silent regarding the specific biography of the daughter of Putiel, focusing exclusively on her role within the genealogy of the Levites. Her most significant recorded event is the birth of her son, Phinehas. This birth was not merely a family matter but a pivotal moment for the nation of Israel, as Phinehas would eventually succeed his father as High Priest.
Given the timing of the genealogical record in Exodus 6:25, she likely experienced the transition of the Israelites from bondage in Egypt to the nomadic life of the Wilderness. Her life would have been defined by the strict purity laws and the migratory patterns of the Tabernacle, as her husband and son were the primary attendants of the sacred tent.
Relationship to Other Biblical Figures
As the wife of Eleazar, she was the partner of the man who became High Priest after the death of Aaron (Numbers 20:28). This relationship placed her in the inner circle of the Israelite leadership. Her relationship to her son, Phinehas, is the most highlighted aspect of her identity. Phinehas is celebrated in later books (Numbers 25) for his decisive action in staying a plague against Israel, a deed that earned his lineage a "covenant of a lasting priesthood."
Spiritual Significance
Though her mention is brief, the daughter of Putiel is significant for the preservation of the Aaronic line. The Bible meticulously records her as the mother of Phinehas to establish the legitimacy of the priestly succession. In the patriarchal context of the Ancient Near East, mentioning a mother in a genealogy often serves to highlight the prestige or the specific branch of a family tree. Her presence in the text ensures that the reader understands the exact heritage of the man who would eventually lead the Levites during the conquest of Canaan.
The daughter of Putiel serves as a vital genealogical link in the establishment of the Aaronic priesthood. Her inclusion in Exodus 6:25 highlights the transition of the priesthood from the generation of Aaron to the generation of Phinehas, ensuring the continuity of the divine covenant regarding the service of the Tabernacle. By naming her father, Putiel, the text provides a specific identification that distinguishes her branch of the family from other Levite clans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the daughter of Putiel's husband?
She was married to Eleazar, who was the son of Aaron and the second High Priest of Israel.
Who was her famous son?
Her son was Phinehas, a priest known for his zeal and for stopping a plague in the Israelite camp.
What tribe did she belong to?
While her husband was from the tribe of Levi, the Bible does not explicitly state which tribe her father, Putiel, belonged to.
In which book of the Bible is she mentioned?
She is mentioned only once in the Bible, in the book of Exodus (Exodus 6:25).
Family & Relationships
Parents
PutielFatherExodus 6:25Stated
Eleazar, Son of AaronHusbandExodus 6:25Stated
Daughter of PutielThis pageChildren
Phinehas, Son of EleazarSonExodus 6:25Stated
Connected Figures
Family
Father · Exodus 6:25
Putiel was the father-in-law of Eleazar the priest and the maternal grandfather of Phinehas during the period of the Exodus.
Egypt and WildernessFirst: Exodus 6:251 versesFamily patriarch
Husband · Exodus 6:25
Eleazar was the third son of Aaron and his successor as the High Priest of Israel, serving as a key leader alongside Moses and Joshua during the wilderness wanderings and the conquest of Canaan.
Egypt and WildernessFirst: Exodus 6:2361 versesHigh PriestLevi
Son · Exodus 6:25
Phinehas was a high-ranking priest known for his zeal for the holiness of God, famously halting a plague in Israel through an act of decisive judgment at Peor.
Egypt and WildernessFirst: Exodus 6:2516 versesHigh PriestLevi
Categories
Mentions by Book
- Exodus1
Scripture References
All 1 indexed verse, in canonical order, from the Berean Standard Bible.
Exodus · 1
- Exodus 6:25
Aaron’s son Eleazar married one of the daughters of Putiel, and she bore him Phinehas. These were the heads of the Levite families by their clans.