Dictionary of Bible Themes: 7768 priests, function in OT times

7768 priests, function in OT times

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

Exodus 27:21

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

Malachi 2:6

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