2420. hierósuné

Lexicon

hierósuné: Priesthood

Original Word: ἱερωσύνη
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: hierósuné
Pronunciation: hee-er-o-soo'-nay
Phonetic Spelling: (hee-er-o-soo'-nay)
Definition: Priesthood
Meaning: the abstract notion of the priestly office.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

priesthood.

From hieros; sacredness, i.e. (by implication) the priestly office -- priesthood.

see GREEK hieros

HELPS Word-studies

2420 hierōsýnē (from 2413 /hierós, "sacred, holy") – properly, "priestly office, as with the Levitic priesthood" (BAGD); priesthood.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from hieros
Definition
priesthood
NASB Translation
priesthood (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2420: ἱερωσύνη

ἱερωσύνη (on the omega ὦ see ἀγαθωσύνη, init), ἱερωσύνης, ἡ (ἱερός), priesthood, the priestly office: Hebrews 7:11f, 14, R G, 24. (Sir. 45:24; 1 Esdr. 5:38; 1 Macc. 2:54 1 Macc. 3:49; 4 Macc. 5:34; Herodotus, Plato, Demosthenes, Diodorus, Joseph, Plutarch, Herodian, others.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from ἱερεύς (hiereus), meaning "priest."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek term ἱερωσύνη corresponds to several Hebrew terms related to the priesthood, including כֹּהֲנָה (kohanim, Strong's H3550), which refers to the priestly office or function, and כֹּהֵן (kohen, Strong's H3548), meaning "priest." These terms are foundational in understanding the role and duties of priests in the Old Testament, which serve as a precursor to the New Testament's teachings on the priesthood of Christ and believers.

Usage: The word ἱερωσύνη is used in the New Testament to denote the priestly office or the collective body of priests. It appears in contexts discussing the priesthood of believers and the unique priesthood of Christ.

Context: The term ἱερωσύνη is significant in the New Testament, particularly in the Epistle to the Hebrews, where it is used to describe the priesthood of Jesus Christ. This priesthood is contrasted with the Levitical priesthood of the Old Testament, emphasizing the superiority and eternal nature of Christ's priestly role.

In Hebrews 7:11, the text states, "If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the Law), why was there still need for another priest to appear, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?" (BSB). Here, ἱερωσύνη is used to highlight the limitations of the Levitical priesthood and the necessity of a new, perfect priesthood through Christ.

Furthermore, Hebrews 7:24-25 declares, "But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them" (BSB). This passage underscores the eternal and unchanging nature of Christ's priesthood, which offers complete salvation and continual intercession for believers.

The concept of ἱερωσύνη also extends to the priesthood of all believers, as seen in 1 Peter 2:9, which states, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (BSB). This verse affirms the spiritual priesthood of Christians, called to serve and proclaim God's truth.

Forms and Transliterations

ιερωσυνην ιερωσύνην ἱερωσύνην ιερωσυνης ιερωσύνης ἱερωσύνης hierosynen hierosýnen hierōsynēn hierōsýnēn hierosynes hierosýnes hierōsynēs hierōsýnēs ierosunen ierōsunēn ierosunes ierōsunēs

Englishman's Concordance

Hebrews 7:11 N-GFS
GRK: τῆς Λευιτικῆς ἱερωσύνης ἦν ὁ
NAS: the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis
KJV: the Levitical priesthood, (for
INT: the Levitical priesthood were the

Hebrews 7:12 N-GFS
GRK: γὰρ τῆς ἱερωσύνης ἐξ ἀνάγκης
NAS: For when the priesthood is changed,
KJV: For the priesthood being changed,
INT: indeed the priesthood from necessity

Hebrews 7:24 N-AFS
GRK: ἔχει τὴν ἱερωσύνην
NAS: holds His priesthood permanently.
KJV: hath an unchangeable priesthood.
INT: he has the priesthood

Strong's Greek 2420
3 Occurrences

ἱερωσύνην — 1 Occ.
ἱερωσύνης — 2 Occ.