Priest

Names of God including the word “priest.”

Three names include the word “priest.” For more information, click on the name.

Great Priest

High Priest

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). A picture of the Greek text of this New Testament name of Jesus.

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.