כֹּהֵן (ko.hen)
ko.hen
priest
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 593 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun koheḥen, translated as priest, literally means "one who officiates" or serves in a religious capacity. It appears over five hundred times in the Old Testament, primarily within legal and historical texts like Leviticus, Numbers, and Chronicles. The word describes individuals set apart to manage sacred duties, ranging from offering sacrifices to teaching God’s laws.
While most often referring to the Aaronic lineage responsible for temple worship, koheḥen has a broader semantic range. It can designate pagan priests, as seen in Genesis 41 when Pharaoh’s officials are described with this term, or it identifies Melchizedek as a priest-king in Genesis 14. In some historical accounts, such as 2 Samuel 8:17, the Chroniclers use the word to describe David’s sons as high-ranking royal officials, highlighting its flexibility beyond strict religious office.
The term carries significant theological weight by establishing a mediator between the divine and the people. This role is central to Israel’s covenant identity, where priests handled sin offerings and maintained ritual purity. The concept of a priest-king in Psalm 110:4 later influenced Messianic expectations, pointing to a future ruler who would combine royal authority with sacred service.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word koheḥen points to a person set apart for sacred service. In ancient Israel, priests managed temple worship and taught God’s laws. This role established a clear path for people to approach the divine through specific rituals and offerings.
Yet this title carries deeper meaning beyond the temple walls. Exodus 19:6 reveals that all of Israel was called to be a kingdom of priests. This means every believer shares in the responsibility to represent God’s character to the world. You do not need a special robe or altar to serve Him.
Understanding this word helps you see your own life as part of that holy calling. Just as priests once mediated between heaven and earth, you are invited to bring your daily actions into God’s presence. Your ordinary moments become sacred when offered with faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 593 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ priest335×
- the/ priests157×
- and/ the/ priests26×
- priests16×
- a priest16×
- [the] priest of15×
- to the/ priest13×
- [the] priests of9×
- priest7×
- to the/ priests6×
- [were] priests6×
- and/ the/ priest5×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/כֹּהֵ֔ן62×
- הַ/כֹּהֵ֖ן45×
- הַ/כֹּהֵ֜ן33×
- הַ/כֹּהֵן֙32×
- הַ/כֹּהֵ֛ן32×
- הַ/כֹּהֲנִ֖ים29×
- הַ/כֹּהֵ֗ן25×
- הַ/כֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים22×
- הַ/כֹּהֵֽן\׃21×
- הַ/כֹּהֵ֑ן20×
- הַ/כֹּֽהֲנִים֙16×
- הַ/כֹּהֵ֣ן15×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 19:6
and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
This verse expands the role of priest from a specific lineage to the entire nation, defining Israel’s identity as a holy people set apart for God.
-
Genesis 14:18
Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High.
Melchizedek is introduced here as a priest of God Most High, showing that the concept of priesthood existed before the Levitical laws were established.
-
Leviticus 1:9
but he shall wash its innards and its legs with water. The priest shall burn all of it on the altar, for a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh.
This passage details the specific duty of the priest to burn the offering, highlighting the mediator’s role in facilitating atonement through fire.
-
Exodus 3:1
Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the back of the wilderness, and came to God’s mountain, to Horeb.
Jethro is identified as the priest of Midian, illustrating that the term was used for religious leaders outside of Israel’s covenant community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does koheḥen mean in the Old Testament?
Is the word only used for Levitical priests?
How does this word relate to believers today?
Every Occurrence (593 verses across 28 books)
Genesis 6 verses
Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High.
Genesis 41:45Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-Paneah. He gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On as a wife.…
Genesis 41:50To Joseph were born two sons before the year of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore…
Genesis 46:20To Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On,…
Genesis 47:22Only he didn’t buy the land of the priests, for the priests had a portion from Pharaoh, and ate their portion which…
Genesis 47:26Joseph made it a statute concerning the land of Egypt to this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth. Only the land of…