Bible Word Study
כְּהֻנָּה
kᵉhunnâh · priesthood
כְּהֻנָּה
priesthood
Definition
The Hebrew noun כְּהֻנָּה refers specifically to the office, status, or function of a priest. It denotes the priestly role, including its duties, rights, and sacred responsibilities before God. In most contexts, it signifies the established, hereditary priesthood of Aaron and his descendants, as seen in Exodus 29:9 and Numbers 18:7. However, it can also refer to a specific priestly assignment or a unique, everlasting priestly covenant, as exemplified by the promise to Phinehas in Numbers 25:13.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the Pentateuch (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers) and Joshua, almost always in legal or covenantal contexts establishing the Aaronic priesthood. It describes the formal institution of the priestly office (Exodus 40:15), its exclusive rights and dangers (Numbers 3:10, Numbers 16:10), and its inheritance (Joshua 18:7). The usage consistently underscores the priesthood as a divine grant with specific conditions and solemn duties.
Etymology
Derived from the root כָּהַן (kāhan, H3547), meaning 'to act as a priest' or 'to minister.' The noun form כְּהֻנָּה is a feminine abstract noun, indicating the state or condition of being a priest. It is related to the common noun for 'priest,' כֹּהֵן (kōhēn).
Semantic Range
This word is central to understanding the Old Testament system of mediation between God and Israel. It defines the exclusive, God-ordained role of the Aaronic priesthood in offering sacrifices, teaching the law, and maintaining ritual purity. The concept finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament teaching of Jesus Christ as our eternal high priest (Hebrews 7), who holds a perfect and permanent priesthood. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the study of priesthood by highlighting its covenantal, representative, and holy nature. In ancient Israel, the priesthood was not a personal career choice but a hereditary, sacred office granted by God to a specific family line (Aaron's). It carried immense honor but also grave responsibility, as priests represented the people before God and were accountable for proper ritual conduct. The 'priesthood' was a central pillar of national identity and religious life, governing access to the sacred. כֹּהֵן (kōhēn, H3548) — The individual 'priest,' whereas כְּהֻנָּה is the office or status itself. מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mishmereth, H4931) — A 'charge' or 'duty'; used for priestly responsibilities but is a broader term for any guard or service.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]