Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7700 Leadership and the people of God » 7766 priests » 7768 priests, function in OT times Priests had a unique role: administering the sanctuary, offering sacrifice and leading and teaching the people. Accordingly they were set apart by a special code of conduct. The priests were set apart They were consecrated to the LORD Leviticus 22:9 See also Exodus 28:1,4,41; Exodus 29:1,44; Exodus 30:34; Exodus 31:10; Exodus 35:19; Exodus 39:41 They were not to incur uncleanness Leviticus 21:1 Some exceptions to uncleanness by touching a corpse are listed in verses 2-3. See also Ezekiel 44:25 They were not to shave or mutilate themselves Leviticus 21:5 See also Ezekiel 44:20 They were not to marry any but a virtuous Israelite Leviticus 21:7 See also Ezekiel 44:22 They were not to drink wine before entering the sanctuary Leviticus 10:9 See also Ezekiel 44:21 They were disqualified by physical defects Leviticus 21:17 See also Leviticus 21:18-22 They were not to allow outsiders to eat the sacred offerings Leviticus 22:15-16 See also Leviticus 24:9; 1 Samuel 21:4; Matthew 12:4 They were not to own land in Israel Numbers 18:20 See also Ezekiel 44:28 They were not to offer unacceptable sacrifices Leviticus 22:20 See also Malachi 1:7-9 They were to obey God's law meticulously Leviticus 22:31 See also Ezekiel 44:24 The priests supervised the sanctuary They only had access to holy things Numbers 3:10 See also Numbers 4:5; Ezekiel 40:45-46; Ezekiel 44:16; Joel 2:17 They tended the sanctuary lamps They carried the ark Deuteronomy 31:9 See also Joshua 3:8,15,17; Joshua 4:9,16; Joshua 6:12 The priests supervised the sacrifices Leviticus 1:5 See also Leviticus 1:8; Leviticus 2:2; 1 Chronicles 9:30 The priests led the nation As role models As teachers Ezekiel 44:23 See also Leviticus 10:10; Deuteronomy 31:10-13; Ezra 7:6; Malachi 2:7 As judges Deuteronomy 17:9 See also Deuteronomy 19:17; Deuteronomy 21:5; 2 Chronicles 19:8; Ezekiel 44:24 As encouragers in battle Numbers 10:8 See also Joshua 6:4; 2 Chronicles 13:12 Prophetic criticism of the priests Lamentations 4:13 See also Jeremiah 2:8; Jeremiah 6:13; Ezekiel 7:26; Ezekiel 22:26; Hosea 4:6-9; Hosea 6:9; Zephaniah 3:4 See also
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