Ahijah (Ithamarite)

Ahiah or Ahijah (Hebrew אֲחִיָּ֣ה, brother of God) (fl. ca. 1097 BC-ca. 1067 BC) was the ninth High Priest of Israel and the first to serve as high priest in the United Kingdom of Israel.

## Contents

* 1 Identity and family
* 2 Career
* 3 References
* 4 See also

## Identity and family[edit]

Ahijah was the son of Ahitub, son of Phinehas, son of Eli. He was serving as high priest in the second full year of the reign of Saul.[1] (1_Samuel 14:3,18 )

Some commentators insist that this Ahijah is the same man as Ahimelech I, the high priest who was summarily executed after he helped David to flee from Saul.[2] However, he is more likely to be Ahimelech's older brother. The name Ahijah means brother of God, whereas the name Ahimelech means brother of the king.

## Career[edit]

Ahijah is mentioned in connection with one incident: the unauthorized but victorious action of Jonathan against a Philistine garrison, and the subsequent trial of Jonathan for eating honey when Saul had made everyone swear not to eat anything until the Philistines were vanquished.[3] (1_Samuel 14 )

## References[edit]

1. ↑ Levi GB and Ginzberg L, "Ahijah, Ahiah, Ahijahu," The Jewish Encyclopedia, 1906. Accessed January 4, 2009.
2. ↑ Smith, William, Dr. "Entry for 'Ahiah, or Ahijah'". "Smith's Bible Dictionary". <http://www.biblestudytools.net/Dictionaries/SmithsBibleDictionary/smt.cgi?number=T164>. 1901. Accessed January 4, 2009.
3. ↑ Clarke, Adam. "Commentary on 1 Samuel 14". "The Adam Clarke Commentary". <http://www.studylight.org/com/acc/view.cgi?book=1sa&chapter=014>. 1832. Accessed January 4, 2009.

## See also[edit]

* Eli
* Saul

v • d • e

High Priests

The first generations|

Aaron · Eleazar · Phinehas · Abishua · Bukki · Uzzi

House of Eli|

Eli · Ahitub · Ahijah · Ahimelech I · Abiathar

Solomon to Nebuchadnezzar|

Zadok · Ahimaaz · Azariah I · Joran · Jehoirarib · Axiomar · Jehoiada · Pedaiah · Zedekiah · Azariah II · Jotham · Urijah · Azariah III · Hoshea · Shallum · Hilkiah · Azariah IV · Seraiah · Jehozadak

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