High Priest of Israel

The High Priest of Israel (Hebrew: כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל, romanized: kohēn gaḏol, lit. 'great priest') was the head of the kohanim (Israelite priesthood). He played a unique role in the worship conducted in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple in Jerusalem, as well as in some non-ritual matters. Like all priests, he was required to be descended from Aaron, the first priest in the Torah. But unlike other priests, the high priest followed more restrictive laws, wore unique priestly garments, and was the only priest allowed to perform certain ceremonies.

There is still a Samaritan High Priest, but in Judaism, the High Priesthood is defunct.

The high priest is referred to by a number of titles in the Hebrew Bible; the title kohen gadol did not become dominant until well into the Second Temple period.

In addition to the title of "great priest", which later became the standard Hebrew title, the term "head priest" (כֹּהֵן הָרֹאשׁ kohēn hāroš) was used, as was "anointed priest" (כֹּהֵן מָשִׁיחָ kohēn māšiḥ). The Torah sometimes uses longer descriptions: "the great priest who was anointed with the holy oil" in Numbers 35:25, "the priest who was anointed and invested to serve in place of his father",in Leviticus 16:32 “the priest who is greater than his brothers, whom oil was poured on his head and who was invested to wear the garments" in Leviticus 21:10, and "the priest in place of him [Aaron] from his sons, who will come to the Tent of Meeting for the holy service" in Exodus 29:30.

Some verses refer by name to a specific individual who is understood to be "the" priest, i.e. the high priest at that moment.

The first high priest was Aaron himself, the ancestor of all priests; he was appointed to this role by Yahweh according to Exodus 28:1–2 and 29:4–5.

Other notable high priests in the Bible include Aaron's son Eleazar, Eleazar's son Phinehas, Eli, and Zadok.

After the Babylonian captivity, the first high priest was Joshua the High Priest, who is mentioned as a prominent leader alongside the political ruler Zerubbabel. Joshua was Tzadokite according to 1 Chronicles 5:38-40 and Haggai 2:2 in accordance with Ezekiel's prophecy.