Category Archives: Bible Study

Priest 2

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Priest 2 has made me realize just how important the priesthood was and is in the Kingdom. Without realizing it I have written many posts that included the priest, Levities, and other learned men who were the scribes, lawyers, and teachers of the Law (names and titles vary).

Ruling/judging the people of Israel changed several times in Israel, but changing the priesthood required a change in the Law. The sin of Jeroboam was changing the priesthood, which did not work out too well. Moses started it all in Exodus 18 when he took the advice of Jethro. God started the priesthood of Aaron in Exodus 28. Wow, all the thoughts that just popped up.

So far, I have done a “skim-read” of the topic of priests, and Priest 2 is another small step into this topic. Since this is a “study” I am sure knowledge has been added; I hope I have stayed on course and topic. Here are some of my posts that have dealt with priests.

This small step into the topic of priest will focus on the New Testament and the Greek word hiereus Strong’s G2409. It is the word for priest; chief or high priest and priesthood are related to it. I will encourage you to be very Berean about my study. ἱερεύς | billmounce.com

Hierateia # G2405 – This word is used in Luke 1:9 and Hebrews 7:5. The priest are doing some aspect of their duties in these verses. Zechariah was going behind the curtain and the others were collecting the tithe. ἱερατεία | billmounce.com

Hierosyne # G2420 – It is used in Hebrews 7:11, 12, and 24. The connection, for me, is these three deal with the Law. In verse 24, Jesus’ permanent priesthood is because He fulfilled the requirements of the Law. ἱερωσύνη | billmounce.com

Hierateuma #2406 – Peter uses this form of priesthood in 1 Peter 2: 2, 9. He is referring to us and what we are and will be. ἱεράτευμα | billmounce.com This one is important because it fulfills Exodus 19:6 where God tells Moses He wants a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Revelations 1:6, 5:10, and 20:6 also states that we will be the priest of God. In Romans 15:16 Paul’s serving as a minister of the Gospel has a term that is related to doing priestly duties – G2418.

Melchizedek was a priest in Genesis, and we will be priests in Revelations because we are in Jesus. Sounds like the Father has had a plan all along.

Other terms to look up: high or chief priest ἀρχιερεύς | billmounce.com, scribes G1122, and elders G4245.

Following the Trail of NIŠ·BĀ·RĀH

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While studying sacrifice, I found niš·bā·rāh in Psalm 51:17. That form of the word is only used three times according to biblehub.com. (It has a lot of cousins.) In the Strong’s it is H7665.

Hebrew Concordance: niš·bā·rāh — 3 Occurrences (biblehub.com)  

The three places it is used are – Psalm 34:20, Psalm 51:17, and Jeremiah 48:25. As I focused on the verses, I realized that broken bones and spirit told a story for those who would seek God.

Psalm 34:20

David wrote this psalm as a praise and thank you to God for delivering him from a bad situation. That story is in 1 Samuel 21:10-15.

The way I like to read Psalm 34 is the Father is speaking to His children starting at verse 11 and ending at 20. Verse 20 is a prophecy about Jesus that is fulfilled in John 19:36. Not one of Jesus’ bones was broken during His crucifixion.

Psalm 51:17  

David is calling out to God again in this psalm. This time he is in grief because of his sin and a wrong that he committed against God. This story is in 1 Samuel 11 + 12. He realizes that what the Father wants is a broken spirit and a heart that is broken and can only be fixed by fellowship with God again.

Jeremiah 48:25

The entire chapter is a message against Moab. Moab is the nation descendant from Lot and his oldest daughter (Genesis 19:30-38). That makes them famies (family enemies). Through the centuries it has been a curious relationship. In Deuteronomy 2 God is “protecting” Moab but by the end of the wandering they are with Balaam in corrupting Israel. Ruth the grandmother of David and Jesus is from Moab, so Lot’s bloodline is not to be dismissed.

In this verse, Moab’s horn or strength is cut, and his power or his arm is broken. They did help the Babylonians when Jerusalem fell.    

The Trail of NIŠ·BĀ·RĀH

As I pondered these verses, this path in the Way took shape.

Because righteous Jesus was not broken on the cross, we can bring our broken hearts and spirits to Him. He will create a clean heart and renew our spirit so we can fellowship with Him. Now that we walk with Him, He will break the power of our sinful flesh (Moab).

Priest

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Priest is a spinoff of Seraiah. Seraiah was a serendipitous find that may put several posts into motion. The kohen or priest of God are found in most books of the Bible, especially if you remember that Jesus is our High Priest and Lord.  

The first priest of Got Most High is not a son of Aaron or a child of Abraham. It is a Gentile believer living in a very important place. He is Melchizedek. He is introduced in Genesis 14, associated with David in Psalm 110, and compared with Jesus in Hebrews. Why did God want Terah and Abram to go to Canaan? Was it to meet this righteous man? Yes, I know the legends associated with Melchizedek. God made a covenant with Abraham, then extended the blessing to Jacob’s children, but He had a heart and plan for the Gentiles.

A kingdom of priest – After the plagues and the Passover, through the Red Sea and several bouts of crumbling, God announced His plan for the Children of Israel in Exodus 19: 5 and 6. (Please note, this is before the Law was given and a golden calf was made.) God wanted His “called out people” to be priest. The key to this offer was that they had to be right with Him.

His chosen as priest – The above thought is seen again in 1 Peter 2: 5+9 where believers are called a holy and a royal priesthood. In Romans 15:16 Paul is in agreement with Peter as we are to minister the Good News of the Kingdom. (Modern translations, from 1599 to present, are split on adding “priestly duties” in that passage.) Revelations 1:6, 5:10, and 20:6 all say that we will be priest of God.

The Father has always wanted priest. He wants people who will spread the Good News of the Kingdom, because they have chosen to follow Jesus. These called and sent followers will love people, His world, and righteousness.

Hiereus vs Archiereus – O that is priest vs high/chief/ruling priest. If you are like I was you see no difference in these two groups. Between this study and a conversation with my wife that centered on an article she read, there is a difference. Josephus, the historian, was the source quoted in the article. In the Book of Matthew Jesus uses both terms, but it does not take many verses to realize that it was the Archiereus that He had trouble with. In Matthew 8 He sent the leper to the Hiereus to follow the Law of Moses. (Yes, another spinoff is starting to turn.) They were the ones who served the people in daily duties in the Temple.

The Archiereus actually bought the right to be in charge. In other words, Rome and Herod allowed them to hold office for a price. The coin exchange booths and the pre-approved sacrificial animals made it all about the Benjamins. 

Seraiah

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Seraiah is a name that I saw several times in Ezra and Nehemiah as I was studying to do their Bible 911 post. This name is associated with several priests including Ezra. There are other men, that are not priests, that also have that name. Names were very important to ancient Hebrews. Seraiah is one of those. 2 Samuel 8:17 is the first time it is seen, and many priests from Jeremiah to Nehemiah received that name. Some of the other men may not have been nice people.

The reuse of names to honor people seems to have been common. At the time of Samuel and David, 1 Chronicles 6, several men were named Ahitub and Zadok. In the first century, several priests had the name Ananias.

Seraiah means Prince or Soldier of the Lord. Several experts lean towards Yah Retains. The “iah” is like “el” in a name, it refers to God or Lord. The “Sera” part seems to be the issue with people interpreting it very differently. I like Prince of the Lord, so I will go with that one.

This is a good reference to use in studying this name.  Seraiah | The amazing name Seraiah: meaning and etymology (abarim-publications.com)

It is the “family” part of the name I want to take some time with. Ezekiel and Jeremiah are “family” with all these men named Seraiah. These two prophets, who were also priests, were given some hard words to speak against their family members. But it is true that some of them were not doing right by God.

  • 2 Kings 25:18 and Jeremiah 52:24 tell the story of Seraiah the chief priest being carried into exile.
  • 1 Chronicles 6 is the section that lists priests, Levities, and singers. Verse 14 adds a note about being exiled to Babylon.
  • Ezra 2 has a man in the company with Zerubbabel who returns to Judah.
  • Ezra 7 introduces Ezra the son of Seraiah and family with Hilkiah. He is the Ezra who is also in Nehemiah, Haggai, and Zechariah.
  • Nehemiah 11 and 12 also mention Seraiah(s) in several roles in Jerusalem.

For good and bad, the family of Aaron influenced Israel; before there were kings, with kings, and with governors. The Greeks and Romans did their best to end or diminish the priest of God. The Law put specific restrictions on these relatives of Aaron. Because of the position that God gave them, He held them to a higher standard. Some did well, some did not do well in these duties and responsibilities. That is why they had to offer sacrifices for their sins before representing the people before God.

God bless the Kohen; may they hear His voice and follow His heart.  

Mē or μή

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Mē or μή is a Greek word (Strong’s G 3361) and is used over 1000 times in the New Testament. While using the Mounce translation and website I saw this word in Matthew 5:17 – Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. (NIV) I was actually studying the word “think” in the passage, but that is for another time.

Mē is the first of the two words translated as no in the passage. The second one is G3756 which is also used many times in the New Testament. Both words carry a negative thought and mean no or not.

My thought on the word Mē is very simple and has little to do with Greek grammar or tenses. When “me” takes center stage in what I am doing it translates into a big NO. We all have talents and abilities from the Father we are to use to bring glory to Jesus. The Holy Spirit may even have given you a spiritual gift for building up the Church. But when the “me” factor starts to shadow the glory, we are to give the Father and Jesus a mē and a οὐ has to come in. Another time when me needs a Mē is in dealing with other people, that “as yourself “part is easy to ignore.

So, Jesus = Yes and me = no. Father begin your reign on earth as it is in Heaven. Come Lord Jesus.