KOHEN - PRIEST

“… you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

Exodus 19:6 (NIV)

(1)

INTRODUCTION

To the promised land we go 

March tow in tow.

The priests we follow in line,

to the Promised Land, fine. 

Into the wilderness, Israel went to march toward their promised land. In the wilderness, there were tests, trials, and tribulations. A covenant was established, and Moses received the 10 commandments. 

But that is not all he received; he also received instructions regarding the building of the tabernacle, all the accompanying instruments, the ordination of priests, and the creation of their priestly garments. 

With Aaron, God established the Aaronic priestly order. He was the first High Priest. Today, we will look into the Hebrew word for priest.

THE HEBREW WORD KOHEN

The Hebrew word for priest is kohen. In a halachic context, it refers specifically to Aharon and the Aaronites - priests after the order of Aaron. Only his descendants were privy to this priesthood. (2) It has been used to describe pagan priests of other nations, too, though the word komer is more usual. (2, 3)

The word is of unknown origin, but it probably originally derives from a Semitic root common at least to the Central Semitic languages. For instance, in the ancient polytheistic religion of Phoenicia, the word for priest was khn (𐤊𐤄𐤍‎), while the cognate Arabic word for priest is كاهن (kāhin). Both are very similar to the word kohen. (3, 4)

The word kohen, when used separately, alludes to any religious functionary. When it is combined with the name of a location, it points to a political position. (2)

KOHEN VS PRIEST

The English word priest is a derivative of the Latin word prevost, meaning “one put over others”. The word Kohen has an opposite meaning. It means servant, or to serve. In Judaism, those who are on top (priests) are meant to serve those who are on the bottom. (5)

This is very much in alignment with what Yehsua taught. He also mentioned to His disciples during the last supper that they were to serve each other. 

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

…

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.

John 13: 3-5; 12-14 (NIV)

Those who wish to be first should become a servant to all. 

AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK

There were many figures described as kohen in the Bible. Melchizedek also happened to be one. Unlike the other non-Israelite priests, it is clear from the text that Melchizedek served the same God as Abraham did. Some Jewish scholars even wondered if his family was supposed to teach Israel how to worship God properly. 

Yeshua became the priest after the order of Melchizedek. This order is a royal priesthood. It describes a position that combines the functions of prophet, priest, and king all in one. 

A HOLY NATION OF PRIESTS

The plural form of the word, Kohanim, can also refer to the Jewish nation as a whole. 

In Exodus 19: 6 a promise of Adonai is recorded. He promised that He would make all of Israel a holy nation full of priests. Scholars agree that this does not speak of all becoming ordained priests, but that we are all called to act in a priestly manner in our daily lives, which 1 Peter 2: 9 confirms.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

1 Peter 2: 9 (NIV)

CONCLUSION 

In the wilderness, God gave to Moses several instructions alongside the 10 commandments. He described how to build the tabernacle and accompanying instruments, the clothes for the kohanim and high priest, and also the process of consecration of Aaron and his sons. 

Aaron was the first priest. The Hebrew word for priest is kohen. In a halachic context, it refers specifically to Aharon and his descendants, but has been known to describe non-Jewish priests too. 

Unlike the English word for priest, which originates from the Latin word prevost and alludes to “one put over others”, the word kohen describes a servant. In general, those who wish to be on top are meant to be servants to all. The latter message is very much in alignment with Yeshua’s teachings. 

Application

Dear Abba, reveal to us throughout this week how we are to serve you and others in a priestly way in our lives.

SOURCES

1. Image created via canva.com.

2. Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein. Holy Priests vs. Unholy Priests. 28 December 2019. Available at https://ohr.edu/8659

3. Wikipedia. Kohen. Available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kohen

4. Abarim Publications. Cohen. Available at https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Cohen.html

5. Mendel Kalmenson and Zalman Abraham. Priesthood: Kohen (כֹּהֵן):

   To Serve or Not to Serve. Available at https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/5807407/jewish/Priesthood-Kohen.htm