(Aramaic) corresponding to כֹּהֵן; {one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)}; priest.
Transliteration:kâhên
Pronunciation:kaw-hane'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic term `{{H3549}}` (כָּהֵן, *kâhên*) functions as the direct equivalent of the Hebrew `{{H3548}}` (כֹּהֵן, *kôhēn*), meaning "priest." Its core semantic range encompasses one who officiates in sacred rites or holds a position of religious authority. The definition provided also extends to include, by courtesy, an "acting priest (although a layman)," suggesting a broader application to individuals who perform official or ceremonial duties, even if not formally consecrated as a priest. This nuance highlights the word's flexibility in Aramaic contexts, where it could denote a functionary with a solemn or official role, whether explicitly religious or more generally administrative with ceremonial aspects. The primary understanding, however, remains firmly rooted in the concept of a priest.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
As an Aramaic word, `{{H3549}}` appears in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament, specifically in the books of Ezra and Daniel.
In Ezra, the term consistently refers to the legitimate Israelite priesthood, those dedicated to the service of the Lord and the Temple. For instance, in [[Ezra 7:12]], [[Ezra 7:21]], and [[Ezra 7:24]], Ezra himself is identified as "Ezra the priest" (כָּהֵן). These occurrences underscore the vital role of the priesthood in the post-exilic community, particularly in the restoration of temple worship and the upholding of the Law. Here, `{{H3549}}` carries the full weight of its Hebrew counterpart, denoting a divinely appointed office with specific responsibilities for teaching, sacrifice, and mediation.
In Daniel [[Daniel 3:2]], the usage is more nuanced. The verse lists various officials summoned by King Nebuchadnezzar, and `{{H3549}}` is often translated as "counselors" or "advisers." In this pagan Babylonian context, these individuals were likely high-ranking officials who "officiated" in state ceremonies or served in an advisory capacity that might have included religious or ceremonial duties, even if they were not priests in the Israelite sense. This usage aligns with the extended definition of "an acting priest (although a layman)," signifying someone performing an official, perhaps solemn, function within a non-Israelite governmental structure. This demonstrates the term's capacity to describe official functionaries beyond the specific cultic role of the Israelite priest.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most significant related word is its Hebrew cognate, `{{H3548}}` (כֹּהֵן, *kôhēn*), which is the standard term for "priest" throughout the vast majority of the Old Testament. The semantic fields of `{{H3549}}` and `{{H3548}}` are virtually identical, encompassing sacred service, ritual performance, mediation between God and humanity, and the custodianship of divine law.
Other related concepts include:
* **Levites (`{{H3881}}`):** The broader priestly tribe, from whom the high priests and priests were drawn.
* **Sacrifice (`{{H2077}}` / `{{H5765}}`):** A primary duty of the priesthood, facilitating atonement and worship.
* **Temple Service:** The specific duties performed within the Tabernacle and later the Temple.
* **Holiness (`{{H6944}}`):** A defining characteristic of the priestly office and its associated duties.
* **Mediation:** The priest's role as an intermediary, bringing the people's offerings and prayers to God, and God's blessings and instructions to the people.
The Aramaic `{{H3549}}` thus serves to bridge the linguistic gap in the biblical text, ensuring continuity of understanding for the vital role of the "priest" during the exilic and post-exilic periods.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H3549}}`, mirroring that of `{{H3548}}`, lies in its representation of a divinely instituted office crucial for the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The priest was the designated mediator, responsible for maintaining cultic purity, offering sacrifices for sin and fellowship, and teaching the divine Law (Torah). This office underscored the necessity of atonement and the means by which a holy God could dwell among an unholy people.
The appearance of `{{H3549}}` in Ezra affirms the continued importance and divine sanction of the priesthood even during the period of exile and return, a time when Israel's identity and religious practices were under significant threat. The Persian king's recognition of Ezra as a `{{H3549}}` underscores the legitimacy of the Israelite religious system in the eyes of even foreign powers, by divine providence.
The broader use in Daniel, referring to non-Israelite officials, highlights the universal human tendency to establish functionaries who "officiate" in matters of state or religion. However, the contrast implicitly emphasizes the unique, divinely revealed nature of the Israelite priesthood, which was not merely an administrative role but a sacred calling with specific covenantal responsibilities. Ultimately, the Old Testament priesthood, represented by `{{H3549}}` and `{{H3548}}`, points forward to the perfect and eternal High Priesthood of Jesus Christ (`{{G749}}`), who offered himself as the final and sufficient sacrifice, establishing a new and living way for all believers to approach God directly.
### Summary
`{{H3549}}` (כָּהֵן, *kâhên*) is the Aramaic term for "priest," directly corresponding to the more common Hebrew `{{H3548}}` (כֹּהֵן). Its core meaning denotes one who officiates in sacred rites, with a secondary application to laypersons performing official or ceremonial duties. Biblically, `{{H3549}}` is found in the Aramaic sections of Ezra and Daniel. In Ezra, it consistently refers to the Israelite priesthood, emphasizing their crucial role in Temple service and the preservation of the Law during the post-exilic period ([[Ezra 7:12]], [[Ezra 7:21]], [[Ezra 7:24]]). In Daniel, its usage for "counselors" or "advisers" ([[Daniel 3:2]]) illustrates the broader Aramaic sense of an official functionary, potentially with ceremonial duties, within a pagan context. Theologically, `{{H3549}}` underscores the enduring significance of the priestly office as a mediator between God and humanity, a role that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the High Priesthood of Jesus Christ.
TRV