mobed

Zoroastrian priest

Also known as: mobad

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June 30, 2026

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A mobed is a Parsi priest of the second rank within Zoroastrianism. The term mobed originated from the Persian maubad or mubad.1

During the Sasanian period in ancient Iran, Zoroastrianism evolved into a more organized religion. A structured ecclesiastical system was established, with each significant local district having its own mobed. These priests, originally known as magupat (chief priest), were responsible for religious duties. Above the mobed was the mobedan mobed, or "priest of priests," who held significant religious authority and sometimes influenced state matters, such as the succession of the throne.23

The mobeds also performed roles similar to registrars and scribes due to their literacy and expertise in interpreting sacred scriptures. This suggests that priestly libraries may have served as repositories for both religious texts and legal documents. The priesthood is hereditary, with priests undergoing investiture ceremonies.23

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ancient Iran
Zoroastrianism
…any importance had its own mobed (“priest”; originally magupat, “chief priest”). At their head stood the mobedān mobed (“priest of priests”), who, in addition to his purely religious jurisdiction, appears, especially in later times, to have had a more or less decisive voice in the choice of a successor to…
Read More
…any importance had its own mobed (“priest”; originally magupat, “chief priest”). At their head stood the mobedān mobed (“priest of priests”), who, in addition to his purely religious jurisdiction, appears, especially in later times, to have had a more or less decisive voice in the choice of a successor to…
Read More

Zoroastrianism
Priesthood
Above him is the mobed. Ranked above all of these functionaries is the dastūr, a kind of bishop, who directs and administers one or more important temples. Priesthood is hereditary, but all priests have to go through one or more ceremonies of investiture over and above those practiced by…
Read More
Above him is the mobed. Ranked above all of these functionaries is the dastūr, a kind of bishop, who directs and administers one or more important temples. Priesthood is hereditary, but all priests have to go through one or more ceremonies of investiture over and above those practiced by…
Read More