Priest
כֹּהֵן (kohen)
A mediator between God and people, offering sacrifices and interceding.
Kohen is the Hebrew word for priest, meaning one who stands before God on behalf of the people, offering sacrifices and making intercession. Christ is the ultimate High Priest.
"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession." — Hebrews 4:14 (KJV)
Key Verses
Hebrews 4:14
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.”Read in context
1 Peter 2:9
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.”Read in context
Etymology and Original Meaning
Kohen derives from a root likely meaning 'to stand' — the priest stands before God in service. The role involved mediating between a holy God and sinful people through sacrifice, teaching the law, and seeking God's will. Aaron and his descendants were consecrated as Israel's priests, with the high priest entering the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement.
The Levitical Priesthood
God established the Aaronic/Levitical priesthood at Sinai. Priests maintained the tabernacle and temple services, offered daily sacrifices, pronounced blessings, and determined matters of clean and unclean. The high priest bore the names of Israel's tribes on his breastplate (Exodus 28:29), symbolically carrying the people into God's presence.
Christ Our High Priest
Hebrews presents Jesus as a high priest after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7) — a priesthood superior to Aaron's. Unlike Levitical priests who offered repeated sacrifices, Christ offered Himself once for all (Hebrews 10:10). He ever lives to make intercession (Hebrews 7:25), and His priesthood is eternal, unchangeable, and effective.
The Priesthood of All Believers
Peter declares that all believers are a 'royal priesthood' (1 Peter 2:9). The Reformation recovered this truth: every Christian has direct access to God through Christ, without need of a human mediator. Believers serve as priests by offering spiritual sacrifices of praise, prayer, service, and holy living (Romans 12:1).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does priest mean in the Bible?
A priest (kohen) is a mediator who stands before God on behalf of the people, offering sacrifices and interceding. In the New Testament, Christ is the ultimate High Priest.
What is the priesthood of all believers?
It is the biblical teaching that all Christians have direct access to God through Christ and serve as priests by offering spiritual sacrifices of worship, prayer, and service (1 Peter 2:9).
Which Bible verse uses the word "Priest"?
Hebrews 4:14 — "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession" (KJV). It also appears in Exodus 19:6, 1 Peter 2:9.
Why does the Hebrew word behind "Priest" matter?
Kohen derives from a root likely meaning 'to stand' — the priest stands before God in service. English uses one word, "Priest", where the Hebrew כֹּהֵן (kohen) carries the fuller sense: a mediator between god and people, offering sacrifices and interceding.
Related Words
Related Reading
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Priest (כֹּהֵן (kohen))
A mediator between God and people, offering sacrifices and interceding.
What Is the Priesthood of All Believers?
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