Priests (2409) (hiereus from hieros = sacred, holy, consecrated to God, used as a noun to mean a sacred place or temple, cp Mark 11:11; cp English derivative "hierarchy" = leadership) is a sacred or consecrated person who serves deity. Priests in the NT refer primarily to the ceremonial officials of Jesus' day, that group of men who offered Temple sacrifices and carried out the other sacred rites associated with the Jewish Temple and Jewish people (cp Heb 8:4) . Most of the uses of hiereus refer to Jewish priests, but Acts 14:13 refers to a priest of the pagan cult of Zeus (patron little g god of the city of Lystra). Jesus is our Great High Priest, which describes His primary ministry in our behalf today (Heb 7:1, 3, 11, 14, 15, 17, 20, 21, 23), one aspect of that ministry being His continual intercession for us (Heb 7:25, Ro 8:34). Hiereus describes the specific position and not necessarily a priest’s character (e.g., see Lk 10:31 where a priest was a "bad Samaritan" so to speak). In Revelation hiereus describes believers who will rule and reign as priests with Christ the Great Priest (Jesus - Heb 10:21 = See Christ as Priest, Rev 1:6, Rev 5:10, Rev 20:6). Even though the hiereus described religious men, it did not signify necessarily that they were saved (cp Acts 6:7). Related Resources: Priest, Priesthood Priest W. G. Moorehead defines a priest as "One who is duly qualified to minister in sacred things, particularly to offer sacrifices at the altar, and to act as mediator between men and God." (ISBE) Priest in Latin is pontifex (from pont-, pons = bridge + facere/facio = to make) which literally means a bridge maker, and is word used even today to describe the Pope as "Pontifex Maximus" (maximus = greatest, highest), which literally means the "greatest bridge builder" and in modern parlance "the Highest Priest". Spurgeon talks about pagan superstitious reverence of priests - A writer on the manners and customs of India, says:: 'I was informed that vast numbers of Shoodras drink the water in which a Brahmin has dipped his foot, and abstain from food in the morning till this ceremony be over. Some persons do this every day, and others vow to attend to it for such a time, in order to obtain the removal of disease. Persons may be seen carrying a small quantity of water in a cup, and intreating the first Brahmin they see to put his toe in it. This person then drinks the water, and bows or prostrates to the Brahmin, who gives him a blessing. Some persons keep water thus sanctified in their houses.' How few steps would land Tractarians in the same degradation! Their priests are the channels of grace to them, from them they receive regeneration and absolution, and from their hands they receive the god of bread whom they adore and eat. Believing all this of their sacerdotal fathers, to drink the water in which they wash their feet would be no humiliation; their minds have stooped to drink far fouler puddle, they may well put their bodies on the same level. Hiereus- 31x in 31v (and almost 800x in the Septuagint)... Matthew 8:4 And Jesus said to him, "See that you tell no one; but go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." Matthew 12:4 how he entered the house of God, and they ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests alone? 5 "Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and are innocent? Mark 1:44 and He said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." Mark 2:26 how he entered the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the consecrated bread, which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests, and he also gave it to those who were with him?" Luke 1:5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Luke 5:14 And He ordered him to tell no one, "But go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." Luke 6:4 how he entered the house of God, and took and ate the consecrated bread which is not lawful for any to eat except the priests alone, and gave it to his companions?" Luke 10:31 "And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Luke 17:14 When He saw them, He said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they were going, they were cleansed. John 1:19 This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" Acts 4:1 As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, Acts 6:7 The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith. Acts 14:13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. Hebrews 5:6 just as He says also in another passage, "YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK." Hebrews 7:1-note For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually. 11 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. 15 And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, 17 For it is attested of Him, "YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK." 21 (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him, "THE LORD HAS SWORN AND WILL NOT CHANGE HIS MIND, 'YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER '"); 23 The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, Hebrews 8:4-note Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law; Hebrews 9:6 Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests are continually entering the outer tabernacle performing the divine worship, Hebrews 10:11-note Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; 21-note and since we have a great priest over the house of God, Revelation 1:6-note and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father-- to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Revelation 5:10-note "You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth." Revelation 20:6-note Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. Wayne A Detzler on Priest - MEANING The Greek word for priest is hiereus. This root is seen in many English words, such as "hierarchy" (ruling body of clergymen), "hieroglyphics" (priestly engravings), and "hierolatry" (the worship of saints). The basic meaning of the word hieros is "one consecrated or filled with divine power." Early Greek writers used this word to describe things pertaining to their pagan gods. The head of Zeus was described as being hieros, consecrated, or holy. The same term was used to describe an expert in the sacrificial system of religion. Men who were especially wise were set apart as priests and entitled hiereus. In the Septuagint Greek Old Testament the priests were occupied with three duties. First, they served regularly in the sanctuary, whether the tent tabernacle or the temple at Jerusalem. Second, they brought sacrifices on a regular basis. Third, they discerned divine guidance through waiting on the Lord. BIBLE USAGE The Greek word for priest occurs 31 times in the New Testament. Almost half of these appearances are in the Book of Hebrews, where it usually refers to the Lord Jesus Christ. (A related word is archiereus, which means "chief priest.") Though the priests uniformly opposed Jesus, He still showed respect to them. For instance, when He healed lepers, Jesus sent the restored men to the priests for sacramental confirmation of their healing (Matt. 8:4). This was a fulfillment of the Levitical Law (Lev. 14:1-12). Jesus also referred to priests in His parabolic teaching. In the story of the Good Samaritan, it was a priest who walked past the ambushed traveler without lifting a finger to help (Luke 10:31). No one seemed to be surprised at this callous action by the priest. Perhaps this reveals the low opinion which most people held concerning the priesthood. But despite this low opinion, many priests did come to believe in the Lord (Acts 6:7). In speaking of the Sabbath, Jesus said that priests "break the Sabbath" by working on that day (Matt. 12:5). Jesus used this to justify His own ministry on the Sabbath. Since the Jews accepted the priests' activity on the Sabbath, they should also accept Christ's healing work on the holy day. Incidentally, Christ here seems to emphasize His role as a priest. The Book of Hebrews makes the point that the Levitical priesthood had failed to make people right with God. Those priests were only "a copy" of the perfect priesthood of Christ (Heb. 8:4-5). Despite their faithfulness in keeping the forms of Judaism, they were only a pale picture of Christ, the true Priest (Heb 9:1-9). The point is this: Human priests cannot provide a perfect sacrifice for sin (Heb 10:11). The New Testament portrays Christ as the perfect Priest. He entered into intercession for us during the last hours before His crucifixion (John 17). Since His ascension into heaven, Christ has ceaselessly interceded for us, His people (Heb. 7:24-25). He is a Priest according to the ancient order of Melchizedek (Heb 5:6; 7:1-3, 11-15). No human frailty mars the priesthood of Christ. In the Scriptures, however, there is another class of priests. The Bible teaches that every believer is a priest (1 Peter 2:9; Ex. 19:5-6). This means that every believer is capable of interpreting the Scriptures. It also implies that every believer is capable of an intercessory ministry. Further, it teaches that every believer can bring the offering of worship to the Lord (Rom. 15:16). This priesthood will be fulfilled ultimately in heaven (Rev. 1:6; 5:10). In other words, there are only two classes of true priests in the world today. The first is the Lord Jesus Christ who is the perfect Priest and the Intercessor for His people. The second class of priests are Christians who engage in all the functions of priesthood here on earth. ILLUSTRATIONS An elderly retired missionary once joined a church which I pastored. He laid down one requirement when he joined: "Pastor," he said, "don't let me become a dumb priest." He was keenly aware that God had given him a priestly ministry of intercession and mediation, and he was eager to not let that ministry lapse into disuse. Despite severe illness, he continued to function as a priest in our midst. There are four reasons why Christians should be encouraged to exercise a priestly ministry in the church. First, they are all equal before the Lord, and no one is excluded from this ministry (Gal. 3:28). Second, the unity of the body of Christ makes us all dependent on each other (1 Cor. 12:7). Third, no church can function well without the use of the gifts present in its priests (1Cor 12:24-26). Fourth, the priesthood of believers emphasizes the glorious diversity implicit in the plan of God (1Cor 12:11). In his helpful book on the church, Professor Robert Saucy of Talbot Theological Seminary emphasizes the importance of this doctrine. According to the priest-hood of believers, "All members of the church have the same direct access to God and His grace." In another place, Professor Saucy says: "The humblest believer has direct access into the throne room of God along with the minister." Referring to the work of Martin Luther, Professor Saucy claims: "One of the foundations of Reformation truth was the concept of the priesthood of all believers" (The Church in God's Program [Chicago: Moody Press, 1972], pp. 111, 117, 127). Even though he was a Bishop of the Church of England, Professor J.B. Lightfoot (1828-89) insisted: "As individuals, all Christians are priests alike... . There is an entire silence about priestly functions [in the New Testament]: for the most exalted office in the church, the highest gift of the Spirit, conveyed no sacerdotal [sacramental] right which was not enjoyed by the humblest member of the Christian community." Though few people know about it, there was in the 17th century a revival in Germany. One of the leading lights of that awakening was Jacob Spener (1635-1705), who wrote the book Pia Desideria or Pious Desires (1675). Part of that great revival movement, called Pietism, was a return to the Reformation doctrine of the priesthood of all believers, about which Spener wrote: "Not only ministers but all Christians are made priests by their Saviour, [they] are anointed by the Holy Spirit, and are dedicated to perform spiritual-priestly acts.... Indeed, it was by a special trick of the cursed devil . . . that all these functions were assigned solely to the clergy" (Pia Desideria [Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1964], pp. 92-93). (New Testament Words in Today's Language) Continually entering -- In the tent of meeting (the holy place), outside the veil (that separated the inner holy of holies) which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall keep it in order from evening to morning before the LORD; it shall be a perpetual statute throughout their generations for the sons of Israel. (Exodus 27:21) The outer (4413) (protos) refers to the former or first in a series or set, in this case the first of two inner "rooms". Tabernacle (ISBE Article) (4633) (skene) means tent, booth, cloth hut and here specifically the tabernacle which was made largely of skins and was designed to be portable, which emphasizes the essence of impermanence. The tabernacle gave every impression of being a temporary structure. It is fascinating that while there are only two chapters devoted to the creation, there are some fifty chapters that deal with the Tabernacle (esp Ex 25-40). As so many expositors over the years have noted, the Tabernacle was essentially a "giant portrait of Jesus Christ" (See related study on Covenant: Abrahamic versus Mosaic). Everywhere you look in the Tabernacle you can see the Messiah. "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://preceptaustin.org/hebrews_96-7.htm#p