📖 Biblical Definition
Priesthood is the office of those set apart to mediate between God and people — offering sacrifice, teaching the law, blessing the people, and interceding for them. The Aaronic priesthood (Levitical) was instituted at Sinai (Exodus 28-29; Leviticus 8), restricted to Aaron’s descendants, and ran from Moses to the destruction of the second temple in AD 70. Christ’s eternal high priesthood after the order of Melchizedek — sinless, eternal, sufficient — fulfills and ends the Aaronic order (Hebrews 7). And all believers in Christ now form a royal priesthood under Him: "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices" (1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6; 5:10). Every Christian is a priest.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
The office and order of priests; mediation between God and people.
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PRIESTHOOD, n. The office or character of a priest; the order of men set apart for the service of religion.
Three biblical priesthoods: Aaronic (temporary, multiplied because priests die), Melchizedekian (eternal, in Christ), and the priesthood of all believers (1 Pet 2:9, Rev 1:6).
📖 Key Scripture
Hebrews 7:24 — "But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood."
1 Peter 2:9 — "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people."
Exodus 19:6 — "And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation."
Revelation 1:6 — "And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity sometimes reserves priesthood-language for clergy only; the New Testament extends it to every believer.
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1 Peter 2:9 names the whole church a royal priesthood. Priesthood in the New Covenant is not the office of a few; it is the standing of all the redeemed. Each saint offers spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Christ's eternal high priesthood (Heb 7-10) is the basis. He is the Priest; the saints share in His priesthood by union with Him; the church's worship is their corporate priestly offering.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew kohen; Greek hierateuma.
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Hebrew kohen — priest; the office before and during the Levitical period.
Greek hierateuma — priesthood; corporate (1 Pet 2:9).
Usage
"Priesthood is not the office of a few; it is the standing of all the redeemed."
"Christ is the Priest; the saints share in His priesthood by union with Him."
"The whole church a royal priesthood."