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

See also

5358  judges
6682  mediation
7340  clean and unclean
7404  ordinances
7424  ritual law
7435  sacrifice, in OT
7464  teachers of the law



Top of Page
Top of Page




Bible Apps.com