According to Abrahamic religions, Aaron was a Jewish prophet, a high priest, and the elder brother of Moses. Information about Aaron comes exclusively from religious texts, such as the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, and the Quran.
Samaritanism is an Abrahamic monotheistic ethnic religion. It comprises the collective spiritual, cultural, and legal traditions of the Samaritan people, who originate from the Hebrews and Israelites and began to emerge as a relatively distinct group after the Kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Neo-Assyrian Empire during the Iron Age. Central to the faith is the Samaritan Pentateuch, which Samaritans believe is the original and unchanged version of the Torah.
The Samaritans, often preferring to be called Israelite Samaritans, are an ethnoreligious group originating from the Hebrews and Israelites of the ancient Near East. They are indigenous to Samaria, a historical region of ancient Israel and Judah that comprises the northern half of what is today referred to as the West Bank. They are adherents of Samaritanism, an Abrahamic, monotheistic, and ethnic religion that developed alongside Judaism.
Uzzi is a given name. One derivation is biblical, from Uzzî meaning "my strength". The name can also be transliterated as Uzi. It may be a nickname for Uzza/Uzzah, Uzzia/Uzziah, and Uziel/Uzziel.
Eli was, according to the Book of Samuel, a priest and a judge of the Israelites in the city of Shiloh, ancient Israel. When Hannah came to Shiloh to pray for a son, Eli initially accused her of drunkenness, but when she protested her innocence, Eli wished her well. Hannah's eventual child, Samuel, was raised by Eli in the tabernacle. When Eli failed to rein in the abusive behavior of his own sons, God promised to punish his family, which resulted in the death of Eli's sons at the Battle of Aphek where the Ark of the Covenant was also captured. When Eli heard the news of the captured Ark, he fell from his seat, broke his neck, and died. Later biblical passages mention the fortunes of several of Eli's descendants.
Mount Gerizim is one of two mountains in the immediate vicinity of the Palestinian city of Nablus and the biblical city of Shechem. It forms the southern side of the valley in which Nablus is situated, the northern side being formed by Mount Ebal. The mountain is one of the highest peaks in the West Bank and rises to 881 m (2,890 ft) above sea level, 70 m (230 ft) lower than Mount Ebal. The mountain is particularly steep on the northern side, is sparsely covered at the top with shrubbery, and lower down there is a spring with a high yield of fresh water. For the Samaritan people, most of whom live around it, Mount Gerizim is considered the holiest place on Earth.
Baba II Rabba, was a notable Samaritan High Priest. He is believed to have lived during the late third and early fourth centuries CE; Jeffrey Cohen puts his birth at 288 and his death at 328.
In the Torah, Ithamar was the fourth son of Aaron the High Priest. Following the construction of the Tabernacle, he was responsible for recording an inventory to ensure that the constructed Tabernacle and its contents conformed to the vision given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai.
Elazar ben Tsedaka ben Yitzhaq was the Samaritan High Priest from 2004 until his death. He was born in Nablus. He succeeded his cousin Saloum Cohen in 2004. According to tradition he is the 131st holder of this post since Aaron.
The Samaritan High Priest is the High Priest of the Samaritan community in the Holy Land, who call themselves the Israelite Samaritans. According to Samaritan tradition, the office has existed continuously since the time of Aaron, the brother of Moses, and has been held by 133 priests over the last 3400 years. However, the historicity of this claim is disputed. One account by Josephus suggests that its office holders are an offshoot of the Zadokite high priests of Jerusalem from around the time of Alexander the Great. As of 2024, the incumbent High Priest is Abdel V.
Aharon ben Ab-Chisda ben Yaacob also transliterated as Aaron b. Abhisda b. Jacob was a Samaritan nurse and priest who in old age served as the Samaritan High Priest.
The Tolidah or Tulida is a Samaritan chronicle that is considered the oldest Samaritan historical work. Written mainly in Hebrew, with sections in hybrid Samaritan Hebrew and Aramaic, the book provides a concise summary of Samaritan history and the dynasty of kohanim up to the Middle Ages.
Amram IX ben Yitzhaq ben Amram ben Shalma was the 124th Samaritan High Priest from 1961–1980. He came from the house of Yitzhaq, descendants of Yitzhaq ben Amram ben Shalma. He was the father of Saloum Cohen.
Abisha III ben Phinhas ben Yitzhaq ben Shalma was the 123rd Samaritan High Priest from 1943 to 1961. He is a member of the house of Pinhas, descendants of Pinhas ben Yitzhaq ben Shalma, and brother of the previous high priest Matzliach ben Phinhas ben Yitzhaq ben Shalma.
Yitzhaq II ben Amram ben Shalma ben Tabia was the 121st Samaritan High Priest from 1916–1932. He is the progenitor of the house of Yitzhaq, one of the three houses of Samaritan High Priests.
Sashai ben Abishua (Sheshai?) was the 1st Samaritan High Priest. He was a contemporary and rival of the Jewish High Priest Eli of Shiloah. He lived in the 15th century BC near the time of Moses
Yaacob I ben Aaharon ben Shalma was the 120th Samaritan High Priest from 1874 to 1916. Ben Aharon was described as "legendary" for his role in the revitalization of the Samaritan community. He befriended prominent Zionists, did a fundraising trip to England, and became the face of his community for Westerners. His memoirs were translated into English. Yaacob inherited the role of the high priest at the age of just 32 and carried the role until his death in 1916. Yaacob was instrumental in the survival of the Samaritans, he made connections that provided Samaritans with as much of a tent, a luxury for Samaritans who, in his time, had merely nothing, he was also instrumental in the reunification of Samaritans from all areas of the country. Yaacob still has descendants living to this day, their family is even considered the sons of Yaacob and called the "House of Yaacob", his grandson, also named Yaacob, whom he raised, eventually became a Samaritan high priest for about three years between 1984 and 1987, Yaacob's death was directly connected to the drafting of 25 Samaritan adult men into the Ottoman army, this seriously devastated Samaritan futures and he died of a heart attack during a pilgrimage to the holy mountain; his grandson was just 16. He is the progenitor of the house of Jacob, one of the three houses of Samaritan High Priests.
Matzliach ben Phinhas ben Yitzhaq ben Shalma was the 122nd Samaritan High Priest from 1933 to 1943. He was succeeded by his brother Abisha III ben Phinhas ben Yitzhaq ben Shalma, both of them being members of the clan of Phinhas, descendants of Phinhas ben Yitzhaq ben Shalma. His sons Asher ben Matzliach ben Phinehas and Phinehas X ben Matzliach ben Phinehas would later become high priests. His grandson became high priest Aabed-El ben Asher ben Matzliach.
Asher ben Matzliach ben Phinhas was the 125th Samaritan High Priest from 1980 to 1982. He was the son of Matzliach ben Phinhas ben Yitzhaq ben Shalma, and the nephew of Abisha III ben Phinhas ben Yittzhaq ben Shalma. In 1982 he was succeeded by his brother Phinehas X ben Matzliach ben Phinehas. His son became high priest Aabed-El ben Asher ben Matzliach.
Phinehas X ben Matzliach ben Phinehas was the 126th Samaritan High Priest from 1982 to 1984. He was the son of Matzliach ben Phinhas ben Yitzhaq ben Shalma and the nephew of Abisha III ben Phinhas ben Yittzhaq ben Shalma. He succeeded his brother Asher ben Matzliach ben Phinehas as high priest and was succeeded by Yaacob II ben Uzzi ben Yaacob ben Aaharon in 1984. His nephew became high priest Aabed-El ben Asher ben Matzliach.
