2420. hierósuné
Lexical Summary
hierósuné: Priesthood

Original Word: ἱερωσύνη
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: hierósuné
Pronunciation: hee-er-o-soo'-nay
Phonetic Spelling: (hee-er-o-soo'-nay)
KJV: priesthood
NASB: priesthood
Word Origin: [from G2413 (ἱερός - temple)]

1. sacredness
2. (by implication) the priestly office

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
priesthood.

From hieros; sacredness, i.e. (by implication) the priestly office -- priesthood.

see GREEK hieros

HELPS Word-studies

2420 hierōsýnē (from 2413 /hierós, "sacred, holy") – properly, "priestly office, as with the Levitic priesthood" (BAGD); priesthood.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from hieros
Definition
priesthood
NASB Translation
priesthood (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2420: ἱερωσύνη

ἱερωσύνη (on the omega see ἀγαθωσύνη, init), ἱερωσύνης, (ἱερός), priesthood, the priestly office: Hebrews 7:11f, 14, R G, 24. (Sir. 45:24; 1 Esdr. 5:38; 1 Macc. 2:54 1 Macc. 3:49; 4 Macc. 5:34; Herodotus, Plato, Demosthenes, Diodorus, Joseph, Plutarch, Herodian, others.)

Topical Lexicon
Definition and Scope of the Term

Strong’s Greek 2420 designates the organized institution of priesthood rather than an individual priest. It captures the collective office, authority, and sacrificial ministry established by God and administered by an ordained order.

Occurrences in the New Testament

The term appears only in Hebrews, a letter devoted to unveiling the supremacy of Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 7:11 – “If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on that basis the people received the Law), why was there still need for another priest to appear, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?”
Hebrews 7:12 – “For when the priesthood is changed, the Law must be changed as well.”
Hebrews 7:24 – “But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood.”

These verses contrast two priesthoods: the temporal, hereditary Levitical order and the eternal, royal-priestly order fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Old Testament Foundations

The priesthood was instituted at Sinai (Exodus 28; Leviticus 8–9). Aaron and his sons functioned as mediators, offering sacrifices (Leviticus 16), teaching the Law (Deuteronomy 33:10), and blessing the people (Numbers 6:22-27). Yet Psalm 110:4 foretold another order—“You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek”—implying a priest-king whose service would supersede the limitations of the Levitical line.

Contrast between Levitical and Melchizedekian Priesthood

1. Lineage: Levitical succession depended on ancestry; Melchizedekian priesthood depends on divine oath and indestructible life (Hebrews 7:16–17).
2. Duration: Levitical priests served until death; Christ’s priesthood is “permanent” (Hebrews 7:24).
3. Sacrifice: The Levites offered repeated animal sacrifices; Christ offered Himself “once for all” (Hebrews 7:27; 9:12).
4. Access: Under the Law, the veil symbolized restricted access; through Christ believers “approach the throne of grace with confidence” (Hebrews 4:16).
5. Perfection: The Levitical system could not perfect the conscience (Hebrews 9:9); Christ “is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him” (Hebrews 7:25).

Christ’s Eternal Priesthood

Hebrews employs 2420 to underscore the untransferable nature of Jesus’ ministry. His resurrection secures an everlasting appointment, fulfilling Psalm 110:4 and guaranteeing unbroken intercession: “He always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25). This priesthood simultaneously satisfies God’s justice and extends mercy, anchoring the believer’s hope “within the veil” (Hebrews 6:19).

Implications for the New Covenant

A change of priesthood necessitated a covenantal shift (Hebrews 7:12). The Law that governed sacrificial worship has been fulfilled; the New Covenant writes the Law on hearts and grants internal cleansing (Hebrews 8:10; 10:22). Access to God now rests on Christ’s finished work, not ritual observance.

Application for Church and Ministry

1. Assurance of Salvation: The permanence of Christ’s priesthood grounds the security of the believer.
2. Call to Worship: Free and continual access encourages “drawing near” (Hebrews 10:22-25).
3. Priestly Identity of Believers: While 2420 is never applied to the Church, the reality it secures enables the “royal priesthood” described in 1 Peter 2:9—“that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”.
4. Model for Leadership: Christian ministers, though never mediators of atonement, reflect Christ by sacrificial service, intercession, and instruction in the Word.

Related Concepts and Further Study

For a fuller understanding, compare 2420 (institutional priesthood) with:
• 2409 (ἱερεύς) – individual priest
• 749 (ἀρχιερεύς) – high priest
• 1248 (διακονία) – service/ministry

Key passages: Genesis 14:18-20; Exodus 28–29; Leviticus 16; Psalm 110; Hebrews 4–10.

Forms and Transliterations
ιερωσυνην ιερωσύνην ἱερωσύνην ιερωσυνης ιερωσύνης ἱερωσύνης hierosynen hierosýnen hierōsynēn hierōsýnēn hierosynes hierosýnes hierōsynēs hierōsýnēs ierosunen ierōsunēn ierosunes ierōsunēs
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Englishman's Concordance
Hebrews 7:11 N-GFS
GRK: τῆς Λευιτικῆς ἱερωσύνης ἦν ὁ
NAS: the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis
KJV: the Levitical priesthood, (for
INT: the Levitical priesthood were the

Hebrews 7:12 N-GFS
GRK: γὰρ τῆς ἱερωσύνης ἐξ ἀνάγκης
NAS: For when the priesthood is changed,
KJV: For the priesthood being changed,
INT: indeed the priesthood from necessity

Hebrews 7:24 N-AFS
GRK: ἔχει τὴν ἱερωσύνην
NAS: holds His priesthood permanently.
KJV: hath an unchangeable priesthood.
INT: he has the priesthood

Strong's Greek 2420
3 Occurrences


ἱερωσύνην — 1 Occ.
ἱερωσύνης — 2 Occ.

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