People & groups
Priest
An appointed minister who served at Israel’s sanctuary and altar.
Also called · Israelite priest
What it means
Priests from Aaron’s line offered sacrifices, tended sacred spaces, blessed the people, and taught distinctions found in the law.
Their service required consecration and ritual care. The New Testament also applies priestly language in new ways to Christ and his people.
How it appears in the Bible
Priests mediated Israel’s ordered worship, but forgiveness and holiness were understood as coming from God.