Priesthood — Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

Office or function of a priest. The modern word “priest” (in French prêtre and in German priester) is used of a clergyman in episcopalian churches (Roman, Orthodox, and Anglican). It is also used in the description of the whole church as “a royal priesthood” (1 Pt 2:9). To ascertain how this usage arose and to see what priesthood means, it is necessary to look briefly at both biblical and theological developments.

Show passage in OET: PE1 2:9

OET-RV PE1 2:9

9 But you believers are a chosen tribe, a group of royal priests, a holy nation, a people group that God has procured, so that you can tell others about the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness and into his marvellous light.

OET-LV PE1 2:9

9 But you _all are a_ chosen _race:
a_royal priesthood, a_ holy _nation, a_people for his_procuring, so _that the virtues you _all _may _proclaim _out, of _the one having _called you _all out _of darkness, to the marvellous light of _him,

Jump to OET PE1 2:9 section.

In the covenant made between God and Israel, the whole people was seen as a “kingdom of priests” and thus a holy people (Ex 19:6). Within this context, specific priestly activities belonged to three orders—high priest, priest, and Levite. “Priests” were male descendants of Aaron, who was a Levite (Nm 3:10), and “Levites” were other male members of the tribe of Levi. The chief functions of the priesthood took place in the temple. Priests looked after the ceremonial vessels and performed the sacrifices. In doing their duties they dressed in special, symbolic vestments. They were also teachers, passing on the sacred traditions of the nation as well as such matters as medical information (Lv 13–15 OET LEV 13:1–59 · OET LEV 14:1–57 · OET LEV 15:1–33). The high priest was the spiritual head of Israel and he had special functions, such as entering the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement (ch 16). The Levites assisted the priests and served the congregation in the temple. They sang the psalms, kept the temple courts clean, helped to prepare certain sacrifices and offerings, and also had a teaching function. Through this threefold order, the priesthood of the nation was exercised. By it the people offered worship to God, made intercessions and petitions, and learned of God’s will. Thus what occurred in every pious home, as the head of the house guided his family in worship, occurred in a larger and more ceremonial way in the temple.

Show passage in OET: EXO 19:6

OET-RV EXO 19:6

6 So you all will be my kingdom of priests and a nation dedicated to me.” (That’s the message to pass on to the Israelis.)

OET-LV EXO 19:6

6 And_you(pl) you(pl)_will _be to_me a _kingdom _of priests and_a _nation holy these are_the_words/messages which you _will _speak to the _people _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel).

Show passage in OET: NUM 3:10

OET-RV NUM 3:10

10 Appoint Aharon and his sons as priests and to preserve the priesthood. Any other person who tries to act as a priest must be executed.”

OET-LV NUM 3:10

10 And_DOM ʼAhₐron and_DOM sons _of_his you _will _appoint and_they _will _keep DOM priesthood _of_their and_the_stranger (the)_approaching he _will _be _put _to _death.

Jump to OET EXO 19:6 section.

Jump to OET NUM 3:10 section.

It is remarkable that the term “priest” is never used in the NT of a minister or order in the church. Certainly the usage with reference to Judaism and paganism continues (Acts 4:1, 6 OET ACT 4:1 · OET ACT 4:6; 14:13), but it is never introduced into the church. The Letter to the Hebrews presents the OT priesthood as fulfilled in Jesus Christ. First of all, he has been appointed high priest by God himself (Heb 5:4-6). Yet his is a superior priesthood to that of Aaron (ch 7). Second, being totally sympathetic to the needs of sinful people and tempted in all points like them, he is without sin (4:15; 7:26). Third, instead of offering animal sacrifices to take away sin, he offers himself, as the sinless Lamb, to take away sin. This is a perfect atonement (7:27; 9:24-28; 10:10-19).

Show passage in OET: ACT 4:1; ACT 4:6

OET-RV ACT 4:1

4 While Kefa (Peter; Grk. Petros) and Yohan (John; Grk. Yoannes) were still talking to the people, the chief priests and a temple officer and some people from the Saddoukaios (Sadducee) sect approached them

OET-RV ACT 4:6

6 along with those descended from high priests, including Hanan (Annas; Grk. Hannas) the current high priest and Kayafa (Caiaphas; Grk. Kaiafas) and Yohan and Alexandros (Alexander).

OET-LV ACT 4:1

4 And of _them speaking to the people, the chief _priests, and the officer of _the temple, and the Saddoukaios_sect approached to _them,

OET-LV ACT 4:6

6 and Annas the chief _priest, and Kaiafas, and Yōannaʸs, and Alexandros, and as _many _as were of chief _priestly descent.

Show passage in OET: ACT 14:13

OET-RV ACT 14:13

13 And the priest of Zeus wanted to sacrifice with the crowds, so he brought bulls and garlands of flowers to the city gates from the temple on the path to the city.

OET-LV ACT 14:13

13 And the the_priest of_ the _Zeus, which being before the city, having _brought bulls and garlands to the gates, he _was _wanting to _be _sacrificing with the crowds.

Show passage in OET: HEB 5:4–6

OET-RV HEB 5:4

4 No one takes that honour onto themself, but they’re called by God like just Aharon (Aaron) was.

OET-RV HEB 5:5

5 Similarly the messiah didn’t take the honour of being chief priest onto himself, but the one who spoke to him said:
⇔ ‘You’re my son;
⇔ today I have given birth to you.’

OET-RV HEB 5:6

6 And in another place he said:
⇔ ‘You are a priest of the order of Malki-Tsedek (Melchizedek).’

OET-LV HEB 5:4

4 And not on _himself anyone is _taking the honour, but being _called by the god, just _as also Aʼarōn/(ʼAhₐron).

OET-LV HEB 5:5

5 Thus also the chosen _one /messiah not himself glorified to _be _become a_chief _priest, but the one having _spoken to him:
son of _me are you, I today have _bore you.

OET-LV HEB 5:6

6 As also in another he _is _saying:
You are a_priest to the age according _to the order of _Melⱪisedek/(Malkī-ʦedeq).

Show passage in OET: HEB 4:15

OET-RV HEB 4:15

15 because we don’t have a high priest who’s not able to sympathise with our weakness, but rather who’s been tempted just like we are, yet he didn’t sin.

OET-LV HEB 4:15

15 For/Because not we _are _having a_chief _priest not being _able to _sympathize with _the weaknesses of _us, but having _been _tempted in all things by likeness without sin.

Show passage in OET: HEB 7:26

OET-RV HEB 7:26

26 Such a high priest exactly meets our needs: one who is godly, innocent, pure, set apart from sinners, and honoured above the heavens.

OET-LV HEB 7:26

26 For/Because such for _us also was _befitting a_chief _priest, devout, innocent, undefiled, having _been _separated from the sinners, and higher than the heavens having _become,

Show passage in OET: HEB 7:27

OET-RV HEB 7:27

27 Unlike the other high priests, it’s not necessary for him to first make a sacrifice for his own sins before doing it for the sins of the people, because he offered himself—once for everyone.

OET-LV HEB 7:27

27 who not is _having in _every day necessity, as the chief _priests, previously for his own sins sacrifices to _be _offering _up, then for _the sins of _the people, because/for this he _did once _for _all, himself having _offered _up.

Show passage in OET: HEB 9:24–28

OET-RV HEB 9:24

24 because Messiah didn’t enter human-made holy places that were only representatives of the true ones, but he entered into heaven where he now appears on our behalf in God’s presence.

OET-RV HEB 9:25

25 He didn’t offer himself like the high priest does every year with different blood,

OET-RV HEB 9:26

26 otherwise he would have needed to suffer over and over since the creation of the world. Instead he appeared just once throughout all the ages because sin has been annulled by his sacrifice.

OET-RV HEB 9:27

27 Just as it’s been determined that people will die once and then there’ll be judgement,

OET-RV HEB 9:28

28 so too the messiah was offered once as a sacrifice as an offering for the sins of many people, but will be seen a second time (nothing to do with sin) by those who are eagerly waiting for him.

OET-LV HEB 9:24

24 For/Because not into handmade came _in holy places chosen _one /messiah, representatives of _the true, but into itself the heaven, now to _be _manifested in _the presence of_ the _god for us.

OET-LV HEB 9:25

25 Nor in _order _that often he _may _be _offering himself, as the chief _priest is _coming _in into the holy places in _every year with blood anothers,

OET-LV HEB 9:26

26 otherwise it _was _fitting him often to _suffer from the_foundation of_the_world.
But right _now once in the_completion of _the ages, because/for the_annulment of _sin by the sacrifice of _him he _has _been _revealed.

OET-LV HEB 9:27

27 And in as _much _as it _is _laid _away to_ the _people once to _die _off, and after this judgement,

OET-LV HEB 9:28

28 thus also the chosen _one /messiah once having _been _offered in _order that of _many to _offer _up the_sins, out _of a_second time apart _from sin will _be _being _seen to _the ones him eagerly _waiting for salvation.

Show passage in OET: HEB 10:10–19

OET-RV HEB 10:10

10 By that agreement, we are made holy once-and-for-all through the offering of Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) Messiah’s body.

OET-RV HEB 10:11

11 In fact, every priest has stood there every day ministering and often offering the same sacrifices, all of which have never been able to remove sins,

OET-RV HEB 10:12

12 but this one offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, then sat down on God’s right

OET-RV HEB 10:13

13 waiting even now until his enemies are overcome

OET-RV HEB 10:14

14 Yes, with one sacrifice, he’s able to make people holy for all time.

OET-RV HEB 10:15

15 The holy spirit also testifies to us, having said:

OET-RV HEB 10:16

16 ‘Yahweh says: This is the agreement that I will make with them:
⇔ I will put my laws into their hearts and also I will write them into their minds.’

OET-RV HEB 10:17

17 And, ‘I won’t remember their disobedience and their lawlessness any more.’

OET-RV HEB 10:18

18 Once there’s been forgiveness, then there’s no longer a need for an offering for sin.

OET-RV HEB 10:19

19 Therefore brothers and sisters, we have confidence to enter the holy place by Yeshua’s (Jesus’; Grk. Yesus’) blood—

OET-LV HEB 10:10

10 By that will, having _been _sanctified we _are through the offering of _the body of_Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa) chosen _one /messiah once _for _all.

OET-LV HEB 10:11

11 And every indeed priest has _stood in _every day ministering, and the same often offering sacrifices, which never are _being _able to _take _away sins.

OET-LV HEB 10:12

12 But this one one for sins having _offered sacrifice, in the continual:
sat _down at the_right hand of_ the _god,

OET-LV HEB 10:13

13 for _the rest, awaiting until may _be _put the enemies of _him a_footstool for _the feet of _him.

OET-LV HEB 10:14

14 For/Because by _one offering, he _has _perfected for the continual the ones being _sanctified.

OET-LV HEB 10:15

15 And is _testifying to _us also the spirit the holy, because/for after which to _have _said,

OET-LV HEB 10:16

16 This is the covenant which I _will _be _covenanting with them after the days those, is _saying the_master, giving the_laws of _me in the_hearts of _them, also in the mind of _them I _will _be _inscribing them…

OET-LV HEB 10:17

17 and of _the sins of _them, and of _the lawlessness of _them, no not I _will _be _being _reminded anymore.

OET-LV HEB 10:18

18 And where forgiveness of _these is, no _longer there _is an_offering for sin.

OET-LV HEB 10:19

19 Therefore having, brothers, confidence for the entrance of _the holy places by the blood of_Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa),

Jump to OET ACT 4:1 section. · OET ACT 4:6 section.

Jump to OET ACT 14:13 section.

Jump to OET HEB 5:4–6 section.

Jump to OET HEB 4:15 section.

Jump to OET HEB 7:26 section.

Jump to OET HEB 7:27 section.

Jump to OET HEB 9:24–28 section.

Jump to OET HEB 10:10–19 section.

Not only was the OT sacrificial system fulfilled; it was also finished by the unique, unrepeatable, and unlimited sacrifice of Christ. Having risen from the dead, he is a priest forever (Heb 7:17) and he remains the same yesterday and today and forever (13:8). Part of his high priesthood is to offer intercession for his people (7:25). He is the mediator of a new and better covenant (7:22; 8:6; 9:15). Only through him are sinful human beings able to enter the holy presence of God and be accepted as children of God (Jn 14:6; 2 Cor 5:18-20; 1 Tm 2:5). Therefore, whatever priesthood Christians have, they have it only in and through Christ, their high priest and Mediator.

Show passage in OET: HEB 7:17

OET-RV HEB 7:17

17 Because it’s been testified:
⇔ ‘You are priest to this age,
⇔ according to the order of Malki-Tsedek.’

OET-LV HEB 7:17

17 For/Because it _is _being _testified, that You are a_priest to the age according _to the order of _Melⱪisedek.

Show passage in OET: HEB 13:8

OET-RV HEB 13:8

8 Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) Messiah hasn’t changed in the past and will never change in the future.

OET-LV HEB 13:8

8 Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa) chosen _one /messiah, yesterday and today, the same is, and to the ages.

Show passage in OET: HEB 7:25

OET-RV HEB 7:25

25 and thus he’s able to save those who approach God through him—save them to the full extent because he always lives to intercede of their behalf.

OET-LV HEB 7:25

25 Whence even to _be _saving to the full _extent he _is _able, the ones approaching through him to_ the _god, always living in _order that to _be _pleading for them.

Show passage in OET: HEB 7:22

OET-RV HEB 7:22

22 Because of that oath, Yeshua became the guarantor of a better agreement.

OET-LV HEB 7:22

22 by so _much also of_a_better covenant, has _become the_guarantee, Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa).

Show passage in OET: HEB 8:6

OET-RV HEB 8:6

6 But on the contrary, Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) has obtained a more special ministry because he’s the mediator of a better agreement which has been legislated with better promises.

OET-LV HEB 8:6

6 On _the _other _hand now of_a_more _special he _has _obtained ministry, by _as _much _as also of_a_better is covenant the_mediator, which on better promises has _been _legislated.

Show passage in OET: HEB 9:15

OET-RV HEB 9:15

15 So because of that, Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) is the mediator of a new agreement, so that his death leads to the ransom payment for those who’ve disobeyed the first agreement, so that now those who are called can receive the eternal inheritance.

OET-LV HEB 9:15

15 And because _of this, of_a_covenant new the_mediator he _is, so _that death having _become for the_redemption of _the concerning the first covenant transgressions, the promise may _receive the ones having _been _called of _the eternal inheritance.

Show passage in OET: JHN 14:6

OET-RV JHN 14:6

6 And Yeshua answered, “I am the path and the truth and the life. No one can get to the father except via me.

OET-LV JHN 14:6

6 Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa) is _saying to _him:
I am the way, and the truth, and the life.
No _one is _coming to the father, except not/lest by me.

Show passage in OET: CO2 5:18–20

OET-RV CO2 5:18

18 Everything is from God, the one who reconciled us to himself by Messiah and who has given the ministry of reconciliation to us.

OET-RV CO2 5:19

19 God was in Messiah reconciling the world to himself, not listing their sins against them, and having given the message of reconciliation to us.

OET-RV CO2 5:20

20 Because of that, we are ambassadors for Messiah, as though God is encouraging others through us, so we implore you for Messiah: Make your peace with God.

OET-LV CO2 5:18

18 And the things all of the god, the one having _reconciled us to _himself by chosen _one /messiah, and having _given to _us the service of_ the _reconciliation,

OET-LV CO2 5:19

19 how that god was in chosen _one /messiah the_world reconciling to _himself, not counting to _them the transgressions of _them, and having _put in us the message of_ the _reconciliation.

OET-LV CO2 5:20

20 For/Because Therefore chosen _one /messiah we _are _being _ambassadors, as _though the god exhorting through us, we _are _beseeching for chosen _one /messiah, be _reconciled to_ the _god.

Show passage in OET: TI1 2:5

OET-RV TI1 2:5

5 There’s only one God and also one mediator between God and humankind and that’s the man Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) the messiah

OET-LV TI1 2:5

5 For/Because one god there _is, also one mediator between_god and humans, the_human chosen _one /messiah Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa),

Jump to OET HEB 7:17 section.

Jump to OET HEB 13:8 section.

Jump to OET HEB 7:25 section.

Jump to OET HEB 7:22 section.

Jump to OET HEB 8:6 section.

Jump to OET HEB 9:15 section.

Jump to OET JHN 14:6 section.

Jump to OET CO2 5:18–20 section.

Jump to OET TI1 2:5 section.

The NT (quoted from the rsv) describes believers as “a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Pt 2:5); “priests to his God and Father” (Rv 1:6); “a kingdom and priests to our God” (5:10); “priests of God and of Christ, and they shall reign with him a thousand years” (20:6).

Show passage in OET: PE1 2:5

OET-RV PE1 2:5

5 you’re being built into a temple and joining a holy group of priests to offer up spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) the messiah,

OET-LV PE1 2:5

5 also yourselves as living stones you _all _are _being _built, a_ spiritual _house, into a_ holy _priesthood to _offer _up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to_god through Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa) chosen _one /messiah.

Show passage in OET: REV 1:6

OET-RV REV 1:6

6 and made us into a kingdom of priests to God his father, and he is deserving of honour and power throughout the ages. May it be so.

OET-LV REV 1:6

6 and made us a_kingdom, priests the to_god and father of _him, to _him be the glory and the dominion to the ages.
Truly.

Show passage in OET: REV 5:10

OET-RV REV 5:10

10 You’ve made them to be a kingdom
⇔ and to be priests to serve our God,
⇔ and they will reign on the earth.”

OET-LV REV 5:10

10 and you _made them to _the god of _us, a_kingdom and priests, and they _will _be _reigning on the earth.

Show passage in OET: REV 20:6

OET-RV REV 20:6

6 Those who have a part in that first resurrection will be blessed and (considered?) holy. The second death has no power over them—they’ll be priests of God and of the messiah and they’ll reign with him for a thousand years.

OET-LV REV 20:6

6 Blessed and holy is the one having a_part in the resurrection the first.
Over these the second death not is _having authority, but they _will _be priests of_ the _god and of _the chosen _one /messiah, and they _will _be _reigning with him for _the thousand years.

Jump to OET PE1 2:5 section.

Jump to OET REV 1:6 section.

Jump to OET REV 5:10 section.

Jump to OET REV 20:6 section.

What, then, does the priesthood of all believers mean in the NT? The high priesthood of Christ may be defined as his complete dedication and obedience to God, his Father, and unlimited compassion for his fellow human beings. At the center is his sacrificial death on the cross. On this basis and in union with him, the priesthood of Christians is their sacrificial obedience to God; this involves spiritual worship and love of God and compassionate activity and prayer for their fellow human beings. Paul wrote, “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Rom 12:1, rsv). Each Christian offers his whole body to Christ and each local church offers itself wholly to Christ, and Christ offers his whole body (the church) to God the Father. Thus, in and by Christ, the priesthood of believers is exercised and made effectual. In the hearts of believers is the indwelling Spirit, and it is in his power that acceptable service and worship is offered. Christ is the pattern of priesthood as well as being high priest.