כְּהֻנָּה
𐤊𐤄𐤍𐤄
kᵉhunnâh
H3550 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Status or office of priesthood; the collective institution or role of serving as a priest, specifically among the Israelites. Refers both to the state or role of being a priest (i.e., what it means for someone or a group to serve as a priest) and, in some contexts, to the priestly class or lineage as a whole. Its use can be abstract (the condition or function of being a priest) or concrete (the group/institution of priests), depending on context.
Semantic Range
priesthood as an institution, office or status of priest, priestly class or lineage, exercise or function of priestly duties
Root / Etymology
From the root כהל (כהן), meaning 'to function as a priest' or 'carry out priestly duties.' כְּהֻנָּה is a feminine abstract noun formed from this root, indicating the office, function, or institution associated with priestly service.
Historical & Contextual Notes
כְּהֻנָּה primarily designates the priestly office or state as recognized in Israelite society, notably associated with descendants of Aaron. In the Israelite period, priesthood was a hereditary institution centered in the sanctuary (Tabernacle or Temple). This term contrasts with more general Hebrew terms for 'service' or 'office' (such as עֲבוֹדָה), being specific to priestly functions. In post-exilic and later periods (e.g., Ezra-Nehemiah, Chronicles), it could refer collectively to the organized priestly classes or orders. English Bible translations sometimes render 'priesthood' or 'the priest's office,' but may not convey the nuance of social, lineage-based identity and institutional authority inherent in כְּהֻנָּה. The term appears exclusively in relation to the Israelite cultic system; it is not used for the priesthoods of other nations. Notably, later usage sometimes blurs distinctions between priestly descent and office, especially as the post-exilic religious identity of priests developed alongside changing social structures. In Greek translations (Septuagint), the word is regularly rendered ἱερωσύνη (hierosynē), likewise denoting the priestly office or priesthood as a collective institution.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from כָּהַן; priesthood; priesthood, priest's office.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
כהן (k-h-n) — to officiate as a priest, perform priestly service, serve in a sacred capacity
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3547 | כָּהַן | he performed priestly service |
| H3548 | כֹּהֵן | among the officiating priests |
| H3549 | כָּהֵן | the priests |
Word Forms
8 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3550-01 |
הַ/כְּהֻנָּֽה | hakehunah | HTd/Ncfsa |
the priesthood | the priestly office | 4 |
H3550-06 |
כְּהֻנַּתְ/כֶֽם | kehunatekhem | HNcfsc/Sp2mp |
your priesthood | your priestly office | 3 |
H3550-03 |
כְּהֻנָּ֖ה | kehunah | HNcfsa |
priesthood | priestly office | 2 |
H3550-08 |
לִ/כְהֻנַּ֥ת | likhehunat | HR/Ncfsc |
for-priesthood | for priesthood of | 1 |
H3550-04 |
כְּהֻנַּ֣ת | kehunat | HNcfsc |
of priesthood | priesthood of | 1 |
H3550-07 |
כְהֻנַּ֥ת | khehunat | HNcfsc |
priesthood | priesthood of | 1 |
H3550-02 |
הַ/כְּהֻנּ֖וֹת | hakehunot | HTd/Ncfpa |
of the priests' offices | the priesthoods | 1 |
H3550-05 |
כְּהֻנָּתָ֑/ם | kehunatam | HNcfsc/Sp3mp |
their-priesthood | their priesthood | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
14 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3550-03 |
Exodus 29:9 | כְּהֻנָּ֖ה | kehunah | HNcfsa |
priesthood | priestly office |
H3550-08 |
Exodus 40:15 | לִ/כְהֻנַּ֥ת | likhehunat | HR/Ncfsc |
for-priesthood | for priesthood of |
H3550-05 |
Numbers 3:10 | כְּהֻנָּתָ֑/ם | kehunatam | HNcfsc/Sp3mp |
their-priesthood | their priesthood |
H3550-03 |
Numbers 16:10 | כְּהֻנָּֽה | kehunah | HNcfsa |
priesthood | priestly office |
H3550-06 |
Numbers 18:1 | כְּהֻנַּתְ/כֶֽם | kehunatekhem | HNcfsc/Sp2mp |
of your priesthood | your priestly office |
H3550-06 |
Numbers 18:7 | כְּהֻנַּתְ/כֶ֜ם | kehunatekhem | HNcfsc/Sp2mp |
your priesthood | your priestly office |
H3550-06 |
Numbers 18:7 | כְּהֻנַּתְ/כֶ֔ם | kehunatekhem-2 | HNcfsc/Sp2mp |
your priesthood | your priestly office |
H3550-04 |
Numbers 25:13 | כְּהֻנַּ֣ת | kehunat | HNcfsc |
of priesthood | priesthood of |
H3550-07 |
Joshua 18:7 | כְהֻנַּ֥ת | khehunat | HNcfsc |
priesthood | priesthood of |
H3550-02 |
1 Samuel 2:36 | הַ/כְּהֻנּ֖וֹת | hakehunot | HTd/Ncfpa |
of the priests' offices | the priesthoods |