The Hebrew noun kehunnah refers to the office, function, or status of the priesthood. It denotes the collective role and institution of priestly service in ancient Israel, particularly the Aaronic/Levitical order.
Kehunnah represents one of the three great offices in Israel — prophet, priest, and king — through which God governed and redeemed His people. The priesthood's primary function was atonement (bringing the people near to God) and intercession. Its ultimate fulfillment comes in Jesus Christ, the great High Priest who holds an eternal priesthood according to the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:24).