Dictionary of Bible Themes 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. Leviticus 22:9The priests were set apart See also They were consecrated to the LORD Exodus 28:1,4,41; 29:1,44; 30:34; 31:10; 35:19; 39:41Leviticus 21:1 They were not to incur uncleanness See also Ezekiel 44:25Some exceptions to uncleanness by touching a corpse are listed in verses 2-3. Leviticus 21:5See also They were not to shave or mutilate themselves Ezekiel 44:20Leviticus 21:7 See also They were not to marry any but a virtuous Israelite Ezekiel 44:22Leviticus 10:9 See also They were not to drink wine before entering the sanctuary Ezekiel 44:21Leviticus 21:17 See also They were disqualified by physical defects Leviticus 21:18-22Leviticus 22:15-16 See also They were not to allow outsiders to eat the sacred offerings Leviticus 24:91 Samuel 21:4 Matthew 12:4 Numbers 18:20 See also They were not to own land in Israel Ezekiel 44:28Leviticus 22:20 See also They were not to offer unacceptable sacrifices Malachi 1:7-9Leviticus 22:31 See also They were to obey God's law meticulously Ezekiel 44:24Numbers 3:10 The priests supervised the sanctuary See also They only had access to holy things Numbers 4:5Ezekiel 40:45-46; 44:16 Joel 2:17 Exodus 27:21 They tended the sanctuary lamps Deuteronomy 31:9See also They carried the ark Joshua 3:8,15,17; 4:9,16; 6:12Leviticus 1:5 The priests supervised the sacrifices See also Leviticus 1:8; 2:21 Chronicles 9:30 Malachi 2:6 The priests led the nation As role models Ezekiel 44:23See also As teachers Leviticus 10:10Deuteronomy 31:10-13 Ezra 7:6 Malachi 2:7 Deuteronomy 17:9 See also As judges Deuteronomy 19:17; 21:52 Chronicles 19:8 Ezekiel 44:24 Numbers 10:8 See also As encouragers in battle Joshua 6:42 Chronicles 13:12 Lamentations 4:13 Prophetic criticism of the priests See also Jeremiah 2:8; 6:13Ezekiel 7:26; 22:26 Hosea 4:6-9; 6:9 Zephaniah 3:4 See also 5359 justice6684 mediator 7340 clean and unclean 7406 Passover 7424 ritual law 7435 sacrifice, in OT 7466 temples |
    |