The role of priests in the Bible is a significant and multifaceted one, deeply rooted in the religious and cultural life of ancient Israel. Priests served as mediators between God and the people, performing sacrifices, teaching the Law, and maintaining the sanctity of the Tabernacle and later the Temple.

Origin and Appointment

The priesthood was established by God through Moses, with Aaron, the brother of Moses, appointed as the first high priest. The tribe of Levi was set apart for priestly duties, as described in Exodus 28:1: "Bring near to you your brother Aaron and his sons from among the Israelites to serve Me as priests—Aaron and his sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar." The Levites were chosen to assist the priests and perform various functions related to the worship and service of God (Numbers 3:5-10).

Duties and Responsibilities

The primary duties of the priests included offering sacrifices, maintaining the Tabernacle (and later the Temple), and teaching the people the Law of God. Leviticus 10:11 states, "You must teach the Israelites all the statutes that the LORD has given them through Moses." Priests were responsible for ensuring that the sacrificial system was carried out according to the divine instructions given in the Law, which included offerings for sin, peace, and thanksgiving.

The High Priest

The high priest held a unique and elevated position within the priesthood. He was the only one permitted to enter the Holy of Holies, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), to make atonement for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:32-34). The high priest wore special garments, including the ephod, breastplate, and turban, as described in Exodus 28.

Priestly Lineage and Qualifications

Priests were required to be descendants of Aaron, and they had to adhere to strict purity laws. Leviticus 21 outlines various qualifications and restrictions, emphasizing the need for holiness and separation from defilement. Priests were to marry only virgins from among their own people and were prohibited from certain activities that would render them ceremonially unclean.

The Priesthood in the New Testament

In the New Testament, the role of the priesthood is transformed through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 4:14-15 presents Jesus as the great high priest: "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin." Jesus' sacrifice on the cross fulfilled the sacrificial system, rendering the old priesthood obsolete and establishing a new covenant.

Priestly Symbolism and Typology

The priesthood in the Old Testament serves as a type and shadow of the ultimate priesthood of Christ. The sacrifices, rituals, and the role of the high priest all point to the redemptive work of Jesus. The New Testament further expands on the concept of the priesthood of all believers, as seen in 1 Peter 2:9: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

Conclusion

The priesthood in the Bible is a profound institution that underscores the holiness of God and the need for mediation between God and humanity. Through the priestly system, God provided a means for His people to approach Him, foreshadowing the ultimate mediation accomplished through Jesus Christ.