<P> The High Priests, like all Levitical priests, belonged to the Aaronic line . The Bible mentions the majority of high priests before the captivity, but does not give a complete list of office holders . Lists would be based on various historical sources . In several periods of gentile rule, high priests were appointed and removed by kings . Still, most high priests came from the Aaronic line . One exception is Menelaus, who may not have been from the Tribe of Levi at all, but from the Tribe of Benjamin . </P> <P> The following section is based on information found in the various books of the Bible, including the genealogies given in First Book of Chronicles and the Book of Ezra, the works of Josephus and the early - medieval Seder Olam Zutta . </P> <Ul> <Li> Aaron </Li> <Li> Eleazar, son of Aaron (Numbers 20: 28) </Li> <Li> Phinehas, son of Eleazar </Li> <Li> Abishua, son of Phinehas <Ul> <Li> The Samaritans insert Shesha as the son of Abishua and father of Bukki . </Li> </Ul> </Li> <Li> Bukki, son of Abishua </Li> <Li> Uzzi, son of Bukki </Li> </Ul> <Li> Eleazar, son of Aaron (Numbers 20: 28) </Li>

Who became the first high priest of israel