Old Testament: Priests

Aaron

Name meaning: "Mountain of strength" or uncertain
Approximately 352 references

Elder brother of Moses and first high priest of Israel. Served as Moses' spokesman before Pharaoh. Made the golden calf while Moses was on Sinai (Exodus 32). Despite this failure, he was consecrated as high priest, and the Aaronic priesthood continued through his descendants until the destruction of the Temple. His staff budded as a sign of God's chosen priesthood (Numbers 17).

Key references: 1 Chronicles 5:29, 1 Chronicles 6:34, 1 Chronicles 6:35, 1 Chronicles 6:39, 1 Chronicles 6:42, 1 Chronicles 12:28, 1 Chronicles 15:4, 1 Chronicles 23:13, 1 Chronicles 23:28, 1 Chronicles 23:32 (and 323 more)

Eleazar

Name meaning: "God has helped"
Approximately 72 references

Third son of Aaron who succeeded his father as high priest after Aaron's death on Mount Hor (Numbers 20:26-28). Assisted Joshua in dividing the Promised Land among the tribes.

Key references: 1 Chronicles 5:29, 1 Chronicles 5:30, 1 Chronicles 6:35, 1 Chronicles 9:20, 1 Chronicles 11:12, 1 Chronicles 23:21, 1 Chronicles 23:22, 1 Chronicles 24:1, 1 Chronicles 24:2, 1 Chronicles 24:3 (and 60 more)

Eli

Name meaning: "Ascended" or "my God"
Approximately 33 references

High priest and judge of Israel at Shiloh. Raised the boy Samuel at the tabernacle. His wicked sons Hophni and Phinehas profaned the priesthood, and Eli failed to restrain them. God's judgment came when the Ark was captured, his sons were killed, and Eli died upon hearing the news (1 Samuel 4).

Key references: 1 Kings 2:27, 1 Samuel 1:3, 1 Samuel 1:9, 1 Samuel 1:12, 1 Samuel 1:13, 1 Samuel 1:14, 1 Samuel 1:17, 1 Samuel 1:25, 1 Samuel 2:11, 1 Samuel 2:12 (and 20 more)

Ezra

Name meaning: "Help"
Approximately 1 reference

Priest and scribe who led a group of exiles from Babylon back to Jerusalem (c. 458 BC) and instituted religious reforms, including the public reading of the Law. Central figure in the restoration of Jewish identity after the exile. Traditionally credited with compiling much of the Hebrew Bible.

Key references: Numbers 34:26

Reuel

Also known as: Jethro
Name meaning: "Friend of God"
Approximately 11 references

Father-in-law of Moses and priest of Midian. After Moses fled Egypt, he sheltered him and gave him his daughter Zipporah in marriage. Later visited Moses in the wilderness and advised him to appoint judges to share the burden of leadership (Exodus 18). Also known as Jethro.

Key references: 1 Chronicles 1:35, 1 Chronicles 1:37, 1 Chronicles 9:8, Exodus 2:18, Genesis 36:4, Genesis 36:10, Genesis 36:13, Genesis 36:17, Numbers 2:14, Numbers 10:29

Zadok

Name meaning: "Righteous"
Approximately 53 references

Priest who remained faithful to David during Absalom's rebellion and helped secure Solomon's succession. His descendants ("Zadokites") served as high priests through the First Temple period. Ezekiel's vision restricts future Temple service to Zadokite priests (Ezekiel 44:15).

Key references: 1 Chronicles 5:34, 1 Chronicles 5:38, 1 Chronicles 6:38, 1 Chronicles 9:11, 1 Chronicles 12:29, 1 Chronicles 15:11, 1 Chronicles 16:39, 1 Chronicles 18:16, 1 Chronicles 24:3, 1 Chronicles 24:6 (and 40 more)

6 entries. Reference counts are approximate, based on morphological analysis of the Westminster Leningrad Codex (Hebrew) and Open Greek New Testament.