7767 priests, institution in OT times
Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  7000 God's people  »  7700 Leadership and the people of God  »  7766 priests  »  7767 priests, institution in OT times

Priests played an important role in the OT and were regarded as having a special status and place in the life of Israel.

Pagan priests in the OT

1 Samuel 6:1-2; 2 Kings 23:5; Hosea 10:5; Zephaniah 1:4

The special status of priests

Ezra 1:5; Isaiah 24:2; Hosea 4:9; Micah 3:11

Associated with the descendants of Levi through Aaron

The exclusive nature of the priesthood

1 Chronicles 6:49 Only God has the right to nominate those who mediate between him and humanity. See also Exodus 6:16-20 This genealogy shows Moses and Aaron were both descended from Levi; Exodus 28:1; Exodus 29:44; Exodus 30:30; Numbers 16:40

Not all Levites were priests:

Deuteronomy 18:1; Jeremiah 33:21

Micah's priest

Judges 17:13

The Shiloh priesthood

1 Chronicles 24:3 See also 1 Chronicles 6:27

The priests in Dan

Judges 18:30

Descendants of Zadok

Ezekiel 44:15-16 See also 2 Samuel 8:17; 1 Chronicles 6:50-53; 1 C 3

Criticism of priestly appointments that were not Levitical

1 Kings 12:31 See also 1 Kings 13:33; 2 Chronicles 11:13-14; Corinthians 13:9

The appointment of priests

Their preliminary purification

Exodus 29:4 See also Exodus 30:19; Exodus 40:12

Their anointing

Exodus 30:30-32 See also Leviticus 8:30; Numbers 3:3 Kings and priests also were anointed.

Their consecration

Exodus 29:1 See also Exodus 29:12-14,18,20-21; Leviticus 8:12

Their ordination

Exodus 29:35 See also Exodus 29:9,29,33; Leviticus 8:22,33; Judges 17:5,12

The dress of the priests

Exodus 28:40 See also Exodus 28:42; Exodus 39:27-29; Leviticus 8:13

See also

1350  covenant with Israel's priests
7304  anointing
7377  high priest, OT
7390  Levites
7413  priesthood, OT
7745  ordination
8218  consecration



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