While closely related to G2405, this term more clearly denotes the collective body or community of priests rather than the individual office. Peter uses it twice in his first epistle to describe the Christian community's identity: believers are a 'holy priesthood' offering spiritual sacrifices, and a 'royal priesthood' declaring God's praises. The term carries profound theological weight, applying Old Testament priestly language to the entire church. Unlike the Levitical priesthood restricted to Aaron's descendants, this priesthood is universal among believers, rooted in Christ's once-for-all sacrifice. The Greek word can mean both 'priesthood' (abstract office) and 'body of priests' (collective group), but Peter's usage clearly emphasizes the corporate, communal dimension—the whole people of God functioning as priestly mediators.