Priest is a designation in the Bible attributed to individuals who served in various religious capacities. The roles, responsibilities, and significance of priests are scattered throughout the Old and New Testaments. In essence, priests are intermediaries between God and the people, performing ceremonies, sacrifices, and rituals on behalf of the community. They also have instructional roles, teaching the societal rules and moral lessons from God’s commandments.
Who are the Priests in the Bible?
Priests in the Bible hail from various historical periods and geographical locations. Notably, Aaron, the brother of Moses, was chosen by God to be the first high priest of the Israelites. The Aaronic priesthood, as it came to be known, was hereditary, only allowing men of the Tribe of Levi to serve as priests. Melchizedek, the King of Salem, is another influential priest mentioned in the Bible. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ himself is described as a high priest, fulfilling the ultimate priestly role through his sacrificial death and resurrection.
What do Priests Do in The Bible?
Priests in the Bible fulfill multiple roles. They perform sacrificial rituals as atonement for the sins of the people and to maintain a covenant relationship with God. Closely tied to this role is the duty of priests to perform the rites of the sanctuary, including the sacred duties in the tabernacle and later in the Temple of Jerusalem. Aside from religious rituals, priests also act as judges in certain civil matters and disputes. Importantly, in the Bible, priests are educators. They teach the laws and decrees of God, providing guidance and instruction to the people.
Where Did Priestly Duties Occur in the Bible?
The priestly duties in the Bible were most prominently carried out in places of worship. These included the Tabernacle, a portable place of worship used by the Israelites during their wilderness journey, and the Temple in Jerusalem, a permanent place of worship built later. Special chambers known as the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place were where the high priests performed many of their tasks. However, priestly roles were not confined to the places of worship. They took their instructional roles into the community, where they were pivotal in religious, moral, and civil matters.
Why were Priests Important in the Bible?
Priests played a crucial role in the Bible as intermediaries between God and the people. These men, ordained by God, performed sacred rituals and ceremonies to help bridge the gap caused by sin between humans and their Creator. Through sacrifices and offerings, they enacted on earth what was believed to be divinely mandated, helping the people maintain a covenant relationship with God. Furthermore, as educators of God’s laws and decrees, they shaped societal norms and moral standards. In essence, they were shepherds to God’s people, guiding, instructing, and leading them on the path of righteousness.
When did the Role of Priests Change in the Bible?
The role of priests in the Bible evolves particularly in the New Testament. Here, Jesus Christ is portrayed as a high priest, taking on Himself the sins of humanity and offering Himself as a sacrifice. In His priestly ministry, Jesus becomes the mediator, the bridge, between us and God, a role traditionally held by the Levitical priests. This transformative moment reframes the understanding of priesthood. In the epistles of Peter and Revelation, all believers are further described as a ‘royal priesthood’, depicting God’s intention that all followers were to play a part in His divine service.
Below is the full list of bible verses on priest (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Priest
Malachi 2:7
“7 For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.”
1 Peter 2:9
“9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”
Related Themes: Holiness Light Identity Self-Esteem Purpose
Hebrews 5:1
“1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:”
1 Timothy 2:5
“5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”
Related Themes: Prayer Omnipresence Indulgence Omnipotence
Revelation 5:10
“10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
Hebrews 7:21
“21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)”
Revelation 20:6
“6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”
Related Themes: Afterlife Hell Hope Armageddon
Numbers 18:5
“5 And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel.”
Hebrews 9:22
“22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Atonement
Revelation 1:6
“6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
Related Themes: Omnipotence Afterlife
1 Corinthians 9:13
“13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?”
Hebrews 6:20
“20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”
Hebrews 4:14-15
“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.15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
Hebrews 8:3
“3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.”
Acts 23:5
“5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.”
Luke 22:66-71
“66 And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,67 Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:68 And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.70 Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.71 And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.”
Acts 23:1-5
“1 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest?5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.”
Related Themes: Arguing Conscience
Hebrews 5:6
“6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”
Hebrews 10:11
“11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:”
Related Themes: Sacrifice
Ezekiel 44:23
“23 And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.”
Related Themes: Education Discernment
1 Peter 2:5
“5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”
Related Themes: Omnipresence Attitude Trespassing Holiness Reverence
2 Chronicles 13:11
“11 And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken him.”
Ezekiel 22:26
“26 Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.”
Exodus 19:22
“22 And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them.”
Acts 5:21-28
“21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
James 5:16
“16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
Related Themes: Criticism Forgiveness Healing Prayer Lust
Luke 22:2-6
“2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.”
Related Themes: Humility
Exodus 19:6
“6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.”
Related Themes: Holiness
1 John 1:9
“9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Related Themes: Repentance Forgiveness Bitterness Lust Attitude
Jeremiah 23:11
“11 For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD.”
