Kohen (or Kohain; Hebrew: כֹּהֵן, "priest", pl. כֹּהֲנִים Kohanim) is the Hebrew word for priest. Jewish Kohanim are traditionally believed and halachically required to be of direct patrilineal descent from the Biblical Aaron.
The noun kohen is used in the Torah to refer to priests, both Jewish and non-Jewish, such as the Jewish nation as a whole, as well as the priests (Hebrew kohanim) of Baal (2Kings 10:19). During the existence of the Temple in Jerusalem, Kohanim performed the daily and holiday (Yom Tov) duties of sacrificial offerings.
Today kohanim retain a lesser though somewhat distinct status within Judaism, and are bound by additional restrictions according to Orthodox Judaism.
Read more about Kohen: Etymology, Biblical Origins, Destruction of The Second Temple, The Twenty-four Kohanic Gifts, The Kohen and Torah Instruction, Modern Application, The Bat-Kohen, Kohen Genetic Testing, Cohen (and Its Variations) As A Surname, Seder, Outside Judaism, References in Popular Culture, The Kohen and The Holocaust