Lexical Summary hierósuné: Priesthood Original Word: ἱερωσύνη 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 Originfrom hieros Definition priesthood NASB Translation priesthood (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2420: ἱερωσύνηἱερωσύνη (on the omega ὦ see ἀγαθωσύνη, init), ἱερωσύνης, ἡ (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. 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). 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. Related Concepts and Further Study For a fuller understanding, compare 2420 (institutional priesthood) with: 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 ierōsunēsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Hebrews 7:11 N-GFSGRK: 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 Hebrews 7:24 N-AFS Strong's Greek 2420 |