kohen
LowFormal / Religious
Definition
Meaning
A Jewish priest or a member of the hereditary priestly caste traditionally descended from Aaron.
In Judaism, a male who, according to tradition, is patrilineally descended from Aaron, the first High Priest, and has specific religious roles, privileges, and restrictions in Jewish law and synagogue rituals.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is used specifically within Jewish religious contexts. It denotes a hereditary status, not an occupational choice. The plural is 'kohanim'. Not to be confused with a rabbi.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or spelling. Usage is identical and confined to Jewish religious contexts.
Connotations
Carries identical religious and historical connotations.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, appearing only in specialised religious or historical texts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The kohen performed the ritual.He is a kohen.A blessing from the kohen.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common English idioms directly with 'kohen']”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, theology, and historical texts discussing Judaism.
Everyday
Virtually never used in general conversation outside Jewish communities.
Technical
Used as a precise term in Jewish law (Halakha) and liturgical contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- [Not applicable; 'kohen' is exclusively a noun.]
American English
- [Not applicable; 'kohen' is exclusively a noun.]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable.]
American English
- [Not applicable.]
adjective
British English
- [Not applicable; 'kohen' is exclusively a noun. Adjectival form is 'priestly' or 'kohenic'.]
American English
- [Not applicable; 'kohen' is exclusively a noun. Adjectival form is 'priestly' or 'kohenic'.]
Examples
By CEFR Level
- [A2 level is too low for this specialised term.]
- In the Torah, a kohen is a priest.
- During the synagogue service, the kohen was called to recite the priestly blessing.
- Halakhic restrictions prohibit a kohen from entering a cemetery, except for the burial of certain close relatives.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'Cohen' surname – many with this surname claim descent from priestly 'kohanim'.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEREDITY IS A CHAIN: The kohen represents an unbroken chain of tradition and lineage.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'священник' (generic Christian priest). It is a specific Jewish hereditary caste.
- Do not translate as 'раввин' (rabbi), which is a teacher, not a priest.
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing it /koʊˈhɛn/ (like 'Cohen' surname). Correct pronunciation has a hiatus /oʊ.ən/ or /əʊ.ɛn/.
- Using it as a general term for any religious leader.
- Capitalising incorrectly; it is typically lowercase in English texts unless starting a sentence.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'kohen'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A kohen is a hereditary status based on patrilineal descent from Aaron. A rabbi is a teacher and legal scholar who is ordained. A rabbi may or may not be a kohen.
In English, it is commonly pronounced /ˈkoʊən/ (US) or /ˈkəʊɛn/ (UK), rhyming roughly with 'go in' or 'low end'.
No. The status of kohen is transmitted patrilineally to sons. While daughters of a kohen have a related status (bat kohen), they do not have the same ritual roles.
It comes from Biblical Hebrew כֹּהֵן (kōhēn), meaning 'priest'.