כֹּהֵן
Kohen
Priest, minister, one who serves in the sanctuary
Kohen (כֹּהֵן) is a Hebrew word meaning “priest, minister, one who serves in the sanctuary,” pronounced “ko-HEN.” Derived from the root כ-ה-ן, kohen appears 750 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H3548).
| Hebrew | כֹּהֵן |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Kohen |
| Pronunciation | ko-HEN |
| Meaning | Priest, minister, one who serves in the sanctuary |
| Root Letters | כ-ה-ן |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 750× |
| Key Verse | Exodus 19:6 |
| Strong's Number | H3548 |
| Category | Covenant & Theology |
Before God gave Israel a law code, before He built a Temple, before He established a monarchy, He declared His ultimate vision for the entire nation: 'You shall be to Me a kingdom of kohanim (כֹּהֲנִים) and a holy nation' (Exodus 19:6). Every Israelite was meant to be a priest — a mediator between God and the world. The kohen in the Hebrew Bible stands in the gap between heaven and earth: offering sacrifices, pronouncing blessings, teaching Torah, discerning between clean and unclean, and bearing the names of the twelve tribes on his shoulders into God's presence. The High Priest (Kohen Gadol) wore a breastplate with twelve stones — one for each tribe — literally carrying the people on his heart before God. Aaron and his descendants were set apart for this ministry, but the vision was always bigger than one family. When Peter writes that Christians are 'a royal priesthood' (1 Peter 2:9), he is quoting Exodus 19:6 — restoring God's original dream that every believer would function as a kohen. Understanding the priestly calling transforms your view of daily life: every act of service, every prayer for another, every moment of worship is priestly ministry. You don't need a special garment or a stone altar. If you know Jesus — the ultimate Kohen Gadol (Hebrews 4:14) — you are already a kohen, called to bring God's presence into every room you enter.
Key Bible Verse: Exodus 19:6
“And you shall be to me a kingdom of priests (kohanim) and a holy nation.”
What Is the Root of Kohen in Hebrew?
Kohen (כֹּהֵן) has uncertain etymological origins. Some scholars connect it to a root meaning 'to stand, to serve,' reflecting the priest's role of standing before God on behalf of the people. Others link it to a Semitic root meaning 'to divine' or 'to officiate.' The word appears across Semitic languages in priestly contexts.
What Does Kohen Mean in the Bible?
Kohen appears over 750 times in the Hebrew Bible. It refers to the Aaronic/Levitical priesthood (Exodus 28-29), Melchizedek — the mysterious priest-king of Salem (Genesis 14:18), and the nation of Israel's corporate priestly calling (Exodus 19:6). The Kohen Gadol (High Priest) was the only person who could enter the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur (Leviticus 16).
How Is Kohen Used in Modern Hebrew?
The surname Cohen (and its variants: Kohn, Katz, Kahn, Kagan) is one of the most common Jewish surnames, indicating priestly descent. In Orthodox synagogues, Kohanim still perform the Priestly Blessing (duchan) with outstretched hands — the same gesture that inspired the Vulcan salute in Star Trek, created by Leonard Nimoy, himself a Kohen.
How to Use Kohen in Prayer & Worship
Embrace your identity as a kohen — a priest before God. 1 Peter 2:9 says you are part of a 'royal priesthood.' Intercede for others as a priest does, bring God's blessing into every environment, and offer your daily life as priestly service.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kohen
How do you say “Priest” in Hebrew?
“Priest” in Hebrew is Kohen (כֹּהֵן), pronounced “ko-HEN.” Kohen (כֹּהֵן) has uncertain etymological origins. Some scholars connect it to a root meaning 'to stand, to serve,' reflecting the priest's role of standing before God on behalf of the people. Others link it to a Semitic root meaning 'to divine' or 'to officiate.' The word appears across Semitic languages in priestly contexts.
What does Kohen mean in the Bible?
Kohen (כֹּהֵן) means “Priest, minister, one who serves in the sanctuary” in Biblical Hebrew. Kohen appears over 750 times in the Hebrew Bible. It refers to the Aaronic/Levitical priesthood (Exodus 28-29), Melchizedek — the mysterious priest-king of Salem (Genesis 14:18), and the nation of Israel's corporate priestly calling (Exodus 19:6). The Kohen Gadol (High Priest) was the only person who could enter the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur (Leviticus 16).
How do you pronounce Kohen?
Kohen is pronounced “ko-HEN.” The word comes from the Hebrew root כ-ה-ן.
Who was Melchizedek and why is he important?
Melchizedek appears briefly in Genesis 14:18-20 as 'king of Salem' and 'priest of God Most High' who blessed Abraham and received his tithe. He appears without genealogy — no recorded father, mother, or priestly lineage. Psalm 110:4 prophesied a messianic priest 'after the order of Melchizedek,' and Hebrews 5-7 argues that Jesus fulfills this priesthood — a priesthood superior to Aaron's because it is eternal, not based on lineage, and doesn't require repeated sacrifice.
What did the High Priest wear and why?
The Kohen Gadol wore eight holy garments described in Exodus 28: a breastplate with twelve stones (representing the tribes), an ephod (apron), a robe with golden bells, a turban with a gold plate inscribed 'Holy to the LORD,' a tunic, a sash, and linen undergarments. Each element was symbolic: the bells announced his presence in the Holy of Holies, the stones on his shoulders and chest showed he carried the people before God, and the golden plate declared his consecration. The garments were for 'glory and beauty' (Exodus 28:2).
Are people named Cohen/Kohen actually descendants of priests?
Many people with the surname Cohen, Kohen, Kohn, Katz (an abbreviation of Kohen Tzedek, 'righteous priest'), or Kahn are traditionally considered descendants of Aaron's priestly line. In Orthodox Judaism, Kohanim still receive the first Torah reading honor and perform the Priestly Blessing (Birkat Kohanim) during synagogue services. Genetic studies have found a shared Y-chromosome marker (the 'Cohen Modal Haplotype') among many men who identify as Kohanim, supporting ancient patrilineal descent.
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H3548: Kohen
- Bible Gateway — Exodus 19:6 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for כ-ה-ן
More Covenant & Theology Words
Explore other Hebrew words in the Covenant & Theology category
Related Hebrew Words
Learn a New Hebrew Word Every Day
Join 12,000+ Christians discovering the depth of Scripture through Biblical Hebrew.
Subscribe Free