Names of God including the word “priest.”
Three names include the word “priest.” For more information, click on the name.
Priest (see below)
Priest
The word “priest” indicates a person who works with sacred things, often in a temple. The priest stood as representative in the presence of God, the only one who was consecrated and knew how to approach God in a way that would not result in death.
Jesus (Yeshua‘) brought a new covenant and was also both the priest and the sacrifice necessary to implement it; succeeding where the old priesthood and sacrifices had been inadequate (Heb. 10:1, 12). To be the prefect priest Jesus had to be perfectly human and perfectly divine. In Hebrews a third qualification is emphasized – that He is of the order of Melchizedek, without genealogy, and is thereby appointed to the office (Heb. 5:5-6). He also is associated with righteousness and peace (Heb. 7:1-2). He has no beginning and no end (both rising from the dead and existing for eternity) (Heb. 7:3, 8). He is superior to the Aaronic priesthood since Abraham was blessed by him and tithed to him (Heb. 7:4-7) and, through him, so did Levi (Heb. 7:9-10). A priest of a new order is promised in Ps. 110:4 because the old order is inadequate (Heb. 7:11). A change in order is a mark of a new covenant law (Heb. 7:12-14). God swore eternally that this priest would continue (Ps. 110:4; Heb. 7:20-22). Jesus lives for ever, requires no sacrifice for His own sins and His own death was a one time deal (Heb. 7:23-27). Jesus’ work as High Priest continues now and forever in intercession (Heb. 7:25, 9:24).
The only association of priesthood with the Messiah came during a brief flash in history during the period of the Maccabees (who combined the monarchy and high-priesthood in one man). In the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs the book of Levi spoke of a new priest in Messianic terms.
The book of Hebrews quotes Psalm 110:4, “You are a priest forever.” (Hebrews 7:17).
Priest in Greek:
Hiereus
Strong’s Concordance numbers: 2409
Bible reference: Heb. 7:17, 21. Both verses quote Ps. 110:4.
[Jesus, the Son of God] became a priest with an oath when God said to him:
“The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind:
‘You are a priest forever.’” (Hebrews 7:21 NIV)
Similar names of Jesus in Hebrews are Minister in the sanctuary, High Priest, and its Hebraic form, Great Priest.
