📖 Biblical Definition
The priesthood of Christ is His permanent priestly office — distinct from Aaron’s in five respects. (1) His person: He is the God-man, divine and human. (2) His sacrifice: He offered Himself, once for all, not bulls and goats yearly. (3) His tenure: He continues forever, where Aaron’s sons died and were succeeded. (4) His sanctuary: He entered the true holy place in heaven, not a man-made copy. (5) His order: He is priest after the order of Melchizedek — king-priest forever by divine oath — not after the temporary Levitical order. "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25).
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
PRIESTHOOD, n. The office or character of a priest; the order of men set apart for the service of God; pre-eminently, the office of Christ as Mediator.
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1. The office or character of a priest. 2. The order of men set apart for the sacred ministrations of religion. 3. In its highest sense, the office of Christ Jesus as the great High Priest, who by the sacrifice of Himself made atonement for sin and now ever liveth to intercede for His people.
📖 Key Scripture
Hebrews 4:14 — "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession."
Hebrews 7:25 — "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."
Hebrews 9:12 — "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."
Hebrews 10:14 — "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Reduced to a metaphor; the actual sacrificial and intercessory work flattened.
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Roman Catholicism multiplies priests in violation of Hebrews; sentimental Protestantism keeps the title but empties the office, treating Jesus as Friend and Coach without altar or blood. Both lose the priest who actually does the priestly work.
Hebrews insists Christ is a priest by appointment, by oath, by sacrifice, and by indestructible life. His altar is the cross, His sanctuary is heaven, His offering is Himself, and His ministry is unending. There is no other priest, and no other priest is needed.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek hiereus and archiereus — priest and high priest.
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G2409 — hiereus — priest, one who offers sacrifice
G749 — archiereus — high priest, chief priest
G2420 — hierōsunē — priesthood, priestly office
Usage
"There is one Priest, one altar, one offering, one Mediator."
"He is a priest forever, because He lives forever."
"Aaron died and was succeeded; Melchizedek's order has no successor."