Reference: Priest
Hastings
Priest' (Gr. hiereus) is employed in the NT to denote anyone whose function it is to offer a religious sacrifice. 1. It is used of a Gentile priesthood in Ac 14:15 ('the priest of Jupiter'), and also in Heb. as applied to the 'order of Melchizedek' (Ac 5:8,10; 7:1 ff.), for Melchizedek, it is evident, was not merely a pre-Aaronic but a Gentile priest.
2. It is constantly employed to denote the members of the Jewish priesthood in their various ranks and functions. The ordinary officiating priests of the Temple come before us discharging the same offices of which we read in the OT. They burn incense (Lu 1:5,8), present the sacrificial offerings (Mt 12:5, cf. Nu 28:9-10), effect the ceremonial cleansing of the leper (Mt 8:4 = Mr 1:44 = Lu 5:14; cf. Lu 17:14). The high priest (archiereus) appears as president of the Sanhedrin (Mt 26:57; Ac 5:27; 7:1; 23:2 etc.), and as entering every year on the Day of Atonement into the Most Holy Place with his offering of blood (Heb 9:25). Most frequently of all the word occurs in the plural form 'chief priests' (archiereis), an expression that probably designates a high-priestly party consisting of the high priest proper, the ex-high priests, and the members of those privileged families from which the high priests were drawn.
3. In the Ep. to the Hebrews Christ is described as both priest and high priest, but the fact that Melchizedek (wh. see), the chosen type of His eternal priesthood, is also described by the same two terms (cf. Heb 5:6 with Heb 5:10; 6:20 with Heb 7:1) shows that no distinction in principle is to be thought of, and that Christ is called a high priest simply to bring out the dignity of His priesthood. This conception of Christ as a priest is clearly stated in no other book of the NT, though suggestions of it appear elsewhere, and esp. in the Johannine writings (e.g. Joh 17:19; Re 1:13). In Heb. it is the regulating idea in the contrast that the author works out with such elaboration between the Old and the New Covenants. He thinks of a mediating priest as essential to a religion, and his purpose is to show the immense superiority in this respect of the new religion over the old. He finds certain points of contact between the priesthood of Aaron and that of Christ. This, indeed, was essential to his whole conception of the Law as having a shadow of the good things to come (Heb 10:1), and of the priests who offer gifts according to the Law as serving 'that which is a copy and shadow of the heavenly things' (Heb 8:5). Christ, e.g., was Divinely called and commissioned, even as Aaron was (Heb 5:4,6). He too was taken from among men, was tempted like His fellows, learned obedience through suffering, and so was qualified by His own human sympathies to be the High Priest of the human race (Heb 4:15 ff., Heb 5:1 ff.). But it is pre-eminently by way of antithesis and not of likeness that the Aaronic priesthood is used to illustrate the priesthood of Christ. The priests of the Jewish faith were sinful men (Heb 5:3), while Jesus was absolutely sinless (Heb 4:15). They were mortal creatures, 'many in number, because that by death they are hindered from continuing' (Heb 7:23), while Jesus 'abideth for ever,' and so 'hath his priesthood unchangeable' (Heb 7:24). The sacrifices of the Jewish Law were imperfect (Heb 10:1 ff.); but Christ 'by one offering hath perfected for ever them that are being sanctified' (Heb 10:14). The sanctuary of the old religion was a worldly structure (Heb 9:1), and so liable to destruction or decay; but Christ enters 'into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us' (Heb 9:24).
And this contrast between the priesthood of Aaron and the priesthood of Christ is brought to a head when Jesus is declared to be a priest
See Verses Found in Dictionary
If you will obey me and are faithful to the terms of my covenant, then out of all the nations you will be my own special possession, for all the earth is mine.
On the Sabbath day offer two one-year-old male lambs without any defects, four pounds of flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering, and the wine offering. This burnt offering is to be offered every Sabbath in addition to the daily offering with its wine offering.
Jesus told him not to tell anyone. Show yourself to the priests and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.
Have you read the law that on the Sabbath day the priests in the Temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless?
Those who captured Jesus took him to the house of Caiaphas, the high priest. The scribes and those in authority also gathered there.
Do not talk to anyone along the way. Take the offering the Law of Moses requires for those healed of leprosy. That way everyone will have proof of your healing.
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a priest named Zechariah. He was of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth.
He faithfully executed the priest's duties before God.
He told him to tell no one and go and show himself to the priest. Then he was to make a cleansing offering, just as Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.
When he saw them he told them to go show themselves to the priests. They were cleansed on the way.
I sanctify myself for them, that they may be sanctified by truth.
Peter said to her: Tell me whether you sold the land for such a price? And she said: Yes, we did.
Then she fell down at his feet and died. The young men came in, and found her dead. They carried her out to be buried by her husband.
The high priest asked: Are these things so?
The high priest asked: Are these things so?
They said: Sirs, why do you do these things? We are only men like you. We bring you good news. You should turn from these worthless things to the living God. He is the God who made heaven and earth, the sea and all things.
The high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.
We have access to grace (God's favor) by faith through him. This is where we stand. We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
I request (urge) (implore) you brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
So he reconciled them both in one body to God through the stake. He put to death the enmity (antagonism) (hostility).
We have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.
We do not have a high priest who is not able to sympathize with our infirmities (weaknesses). He was tested in all things like ourselves. Yet he was without sin!
We do not have a high priest who is not able to sympathize with our infirmities (weaknesses). He was tested in all things like ourselves. Yet he was without sin! Let us approach the throne of grace (loving-kindness) with confidence, that we may receive mercy, and find grace for help in time of need.
Every high priest taken from among men is appointed in behalf of men in things relating to God. He may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.
That is why he must offer sacrifices, for his own and for the people's sins.
That is why he must offer sacrifices, for his own and for the people's sins. No one takes this honor upon himself. He is called by God, even as Aaron was.
As he said in another place: You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
As he said in another place: You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Being made perfect, he became the source (cause) (channel) (conduit) (pathway) (facilitator) of eternal salvation to all who obey him. (Psalm 3:8) He was called by God to be a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
That is where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him.
If perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood, for under it the people received the Law, what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, instead of one named after the order of Aaron?
There have been many priests. This is because they have been prevented from continuing by death. He continues forever and therefore has his priesthood without change. read more. He is able to save completely those who approach God through him, because he is always alive to intercede for them.
The work they do as priests is only a copy and a shadow of what is in heaven. It is the same as it was with Moses. When he was about to build the sacred tent, God told him: Be sure to make everything according to the pattern you were shown on the mountain.
The first covenant had ordinances for divine service, and an earthly sanctuary.
Christ came as the high priest of the good things that are now here. He also went into a much better tent that is not made by humans and does not belong to this creation. He went once and forever into the Most Holy Place having eternal salvation. It is not with the blood of goats and young bulls, but with his blood. read more. The blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes from the burning of a young cow, sprinkled on the unclean made them outwardly clean. The blood of Christ did even more. Through the eternal Spirit he offered himself without blemish to God and cleansed your conscience from dead works. Now we can serve (worship) the living God. For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant. A death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant. Those called may receive the promise of everlasting inheritance. A will is used for a person who is dead. It becomes effective only when the person dies.
Christ has not entered into the Holy Place made with human hands. This is a copy of the true one. He has entered into heaven to appear before the presence of God for us.
Christ has not entered into the Holy Place made with human hands. This is a copy of the true one. He has entered into heaven to appear before the presence of God for us. Neither should he offer himself as the high priest enters into the Holy Place every year with blood of others.
So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. He will appear the second time without sin to those who look to him for their salvation.
The Law is a shadow of the good things to come. It is not the actual things. The continual yearly sacrifices can never make those who worship perfect.
The Law is a shadow of the good things to come. It is not the actual things. The continual yearly sacrifices can never make those who worship perfect.
With one offering he has perfected those who are sanctified forever.
Where there is forgiveness for these, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,
Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh,
by a new and living way, which he consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh, having a high priest over the house of God,
having a high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God through him [Jesus], that is, the fruit of lips that make confession (give thanks and offer praise) to his name. Do not forget (neglect) to do good and to communicate (fellowship) (share), for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
You also as living stones are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
You also as living stones are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people for God's own possession, that you may show the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
He made us to be a kingdom of kings and priests to his God and Father. To him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.
There was someone like the Son of man in the midst of the seven lamp stands. He was clothed with a garment that reached down to the feet, and girded at the chest with a golden girdle.
You made them kings and priests to our God. They will reign as kings over the earth.
Another angel, with a golden incense vessel, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense so he could offer it with the prayers of all the holy ones upon the golden altar before the throne.
Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them. They shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall rule as kings with him for the thousand years.