The appointment of priests in the Bible is a significant aspect of the religious and communal life of the Israelites, as outlined in the Old Testament. The role of the priest was central to the worship and sacrificial system established by God for His people. The priesthood was instituted by divine command and was integral to maintaining the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

Origin and Divine Command

The establishment of the priesthood is primarily detailed in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. God appointed Aaron, the brother of Moses, as the first high priest, and his descendants were designated as the priestly line. This appointment is recorded in Exodus 28:1 : "Next, have your brother Aaron, along with his sons, brought to you from among the Israelites to serve Me as priests—Aaron and his sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar."

The priesthood was not a position that could be assumed by personal ambition or lineage outside of Aaron's descendants. It was a sacred office, divinely ordained, and required a specific calling and consecration process.

Consecration and Duties

The consecration of priests involved a detailed ritual, as described in Leviticus 8. This process included washing, clothing in sacred garments, anointing with oil, and offering sacrifices. The priests were set apart for service to God, symbolizing purity and dedication. Leviticus 8:12 states, "He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him."

The primary duties of the priests included offering sacrifices, maintaining the sanctuary, teaching the Law, and interceding for the people. They acted as mediators between God and Israel, ensuring that the covenantal laws were upheld and that the people remained in right standing with God.

The High Priest

The high priest held a unique and elevated position within the priesthood. He was the only one permitted to enter the Most Holy Place of the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) to make atonement for the sins of the nation (Leviticus 16). This role underscored the high priest's responsibility for the spiritual well-being of the entire community.

The Levitical Priesthood

While Aaron and his descendants served as priests, the broader tribe of Levi was set apart for service to the Tabernacle and later the Temple. The Levites assisted the priests in various functions, including the care of the sacred space and the handling of offerings. Numbers 3:6-10 outlines their role: "Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him. They are to perform duties for him and for the whole congregation before the Tent of Meeting, attending to the service of the tabernacle."

Priestly Qualifications and Conduct

The priests were required to adhere to strict standards of holiness and conduct. Leviticus 21 outlines various qualifications and restrictions, emphasizing the need for physical and spiritual purity. The priests were to be examples of holiness to the people, reflecting God's own holiness.

The New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the concept of priesthood is transformed through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 4:14 refers to Jesus as the "great high priest," who has passed through the heavens. The New Testament teaches that all believers are part of a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), signifying a shift from the exclusive Levitical priesthood to a universal priesthood of all believers, with Christ as the ultimate mediator.

The appointment of priests in the Bible underscores the importance of divine calling, holiness, and mediation in the relationship between God and His people. The priesthood served as a foreshadowing of the ultimate priestly work of Jesus Christ, who fulfills and transcends the Old Testament priestly system.