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
