Probable Kohathite-Izharite (Prophet Samuel) yDNA Signature Discovered

Based on the totality of legendary, circumstantial, and ydna evidence, one Kohathite (Levitic) yDNA signature has been discovered: J-FT303739.

Here is a summary of the evidence:

The biblical narrative states that Kohath is the grandfather of Aharon the Priest and also the 3x great grandfather of Samuel the Prophet (claimed as an ancestor by so many Ashkenazic lineages). This means that all patriline descendants of Aharon and of Samuel should be in the same ydna signature tree, because they both descend from Kohath.

Through the 200+ Cohanim in the FTDNA project, I have been able to ascertain that there is one main Cohanic ydna signature among Sephardim and Ashkenazim: J-S17446 (or S17446). Both FT303739 and S17446 are direct descendants of the group J-Z18271 (or Z18271), probably Kohath's ydna signature. Both FT313739 and S17446 are estimated to have formed around 1288 BCE in the Levant, contemporaneous to the Exodus.

The sources of the new ydna signature are a pair of Benveniste decended from the Benveniste family of Rhodes (Ottoman Empire). The well-known legend about this family goes as follows: “In Spain the family lived in the vicinity of Seville and Toledo, where their name was Ben Venashti. After the exile from Spain the family was divided. A part of the family went to Turkey to Salonica and Constantinopol. Others went to Ismir. The second part of the Ben Vanashti family went by sea to Germany via France.” Novogrudok Yizkor Book, p25 Prior to that legend has it that the Benvenistes of Spain descended from the Levitical Ha-Yitzhari family of Provence and Girnoa who in turn “…claimed direct descent of the prophet Samuel, who according to Jewish tradition was a direct descendant of Yitzhar (hence the family name "Ha-Yitzhari"), son of Kohath, son of Levi, son of Jacob. “ (Shem Tov Ha-Levi Hitzhari).

So the long legendary lineage goes like this: Kohath>Izhar>Korah>Elkhana>Samuel>>>many generations>Shem Tov HaLevy of Provence and Girona>>>many generations>Benvenistes of Spain>>> many generations>Benvenistes of Salonica, Izhmir, and Rhodes>>> two modern Benvenistes descended from the Rhodes family and both BigY700 tested at FTDNA.

Up until now, this Kohath>>>Modern Benveniste line has been an interesting historical legend, with no scientific evidence in support. Thanks to the quirks of ydna research and the work of many co-researchers in the FTNDA project, there is now good scientific evidence backing up the legendary lineage.

Please note that there are four main Levitical branches: Gershonite, Merarite, Kohathite, and of course Aharonite (i.e. Cohanic). Each of the branches has a certain set of sancturary-related responsibilities, and each of these branches could consist of numerous ydna lines, all stemming from the original Z18271 group. The finding of one Kohathite ydna signature along with the predominant Cohanic ydna signature does not mean there are not other Cohanic and Lecvitic ydna signatures. I already know of at least three other Cohanic and one other Levitic ydna signature stemming from the same Z18271 parent group, and am actively searching for more.

How does this Levitical discussion relate to the Davidic lineage? Theoretically, the Davidic line should also stem from the same J-Z18271 parent group. However, I am not so certain that the Biblical genealogy will hold up to scientific evidence. Theoretically, Levi and Judah were blood brothers from the time before the Egyptian captivity. I have serious doubts that accurate genealogical records could have been kept during the 400 years of slavery. I speculate that perhaps Levi and Judah (and their ten other brothers) were blood brothers, but that during the 400 years of slavery, the genetic connection between these brothers and their descending trees was severed such that by the time of the Exodus, their descending lines could have belonged to different ydna signature lines. If this is true, then the Davidic, as well as the Josephian, Binyaminian, and the other eight tribal lineages could stem from completely different ydna signatures, perhaps from distant J haplogroups or perhaps from completely different macrogroups such as R or E or T, etc.. Please see prior discussion entitled 'Index of Lines Claiming Descent from David' for further details about the Davidic ydna signature. This is a fascinating topic for research but one which will take much more data to unravel.

Please feel free to quote from the above text (abridged is okay, but not modified) in your various publications and networking comms. All I ask is that you credit the Shmuel HaCohen Khrszn FTDNA Project and cite this URL as the reference: https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/cherson-family-project/about.