CategoryPeople / Worship and Mediation Term
Modern Equivalentworship mediator; priestly office.
KJV Word TypePeople term / worship office
DefinitionA priest is one appointed to offer sacrifices, teach, bless, and mediate worship before God. Priesthood refers to the office or order of priests.
Key Verses"And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him... that he may minister unto me in the priest's office." (Exodus 28:1); "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people." (1 Peter 2:9)
KJV Usage NoteIn the Old Testament, priests served in temple and tabernacle worship; in the New Testament, Christ is the great high priest and believers are called a royal priesthood.
Common MisunderstandingPriesthood is not only a religious title; in Scripture it involves worship, mediation, sacrifice, holiness, and representation before God.
Etymology"Priest" comes from Greek presbyteros through Old English preost; "priesthood" means the office or order of priests.