The priestly family descended from Zadok (2 Sam 8:17) which had held the post of high priest in the temple administration until 174 BC when the last legitimate Zadokite high priest, Onias III, was deposed by Antiochus IV Ephiphanes.
Zadok first appears in the pages of Israel's history when he was named priest, together with Ahimelech son of Abiathar, in David's administration (2 Sam 8:17); that they were singled out for mention suggests that they shared fairly high office, though the mention of Abiathar offering the sacrifices implies the latter was the high-priest. Nonetheless, they were often mentioned together playing active roles in David's affairs.
Zadok's position changed significantly when he became successfully involved, together with Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba, in foiling Adonijah's attempt at usurping the throne and bringing Solomon to power (1 Ki 1). When Adonijah was put to death for what Solomon perceived to be another attempt at the throne, Abiathar (perceived to be "Adonijah's man") was discharged and Zadok appointed in his place (1 Ki 2:35; 1 Chron 29:22). The Zadokites provided the high-priests for the temple from that time onwards (2 Chron 31:10). One of their daughters, Jerusha, even married and gave birth to a son to King Uzziah (2 Ki 15:33; 2 Chron 27:1).
They survived the Babylonian exile and continued serving in the rebuilt temple. The Zadokite leadership as high-priest ended during the Hellenistic era when, in 174 BC, Onias III was deposed from his office by King Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Onias's son, Onias IV, left for Egypt and founded a temple at Leontopolis, and the last Zadokite heir left Jerusalem to serve there. Though boasting a sacrificial ritual modelled on that of Jerusalem, the temple was viewed as schismatic, so that even Egyptian Jews would go to Jerusalem for their pilgrimage rather than Leontopolis. This disdain for the Leontopolis temple is reflected in the Mishnah, in which it is called simply "the house of Onias," and priests who served there were barred from ministering in the Jerusalem temple.
With their disappearance from Jerusalem, the office of the high-priest eventually fell, by default, to the sons of the Hasmonean family, which itself caused great constenation among men such as those who founded the Qumran community.
©ALBERITH