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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)
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)
