FROM AARON TO PHANNI THE HIGH PRIESTS OF ISRAEL - 1440 BC - 70 AD (1510 YEARS)
The office of the High Priest (Kohen Gadol) extended across three major historical eras: the biblical/pre-exilic period, the Persian-Hellenistic (Second Temple) era, and the Hasmonean to Herodian/Roman period until the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. Lists for the earliest biblical periods draw from scriptural genealogies (such as 1 Chronicles 6 and Ezra 7), while later periods are documented through Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews) and classical historical sources. 1. Pre-Exilic Period (Tabernacle & First Temple) The Wilderness & Judges Era * Aaron (First High Priest, brother of Moses) * Eleazar (Son of Aaron) * Phinehas (Son of Eleazar) * Abishua (Son of Phinehas) * Bukki (Son of Abishua) * Uzzi (Son of Bukki) The Line of Eli (Shiloh Era) (In classical tradition, the priesthood temporarily shifted from the line of Eleazar to the line of Ithamar, Aaron's younger son). * Eli (Judge and High Priest at Shiloh) * Ahitub (...