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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 22:9See alsoExodus 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 21:1Some exceptions to uncleanness by touching a corpse are listed in verses 2-3.See alsoEzekiel 44:25

They were not to shave or mutilate themselves

Leviticus 21:5See alsoEzekiel 44:20

They were not to marry any but a virtuous Israelite

Leviticus 21:7See alsoEzekiel 44:22

They were not to drink wine before entering the sanctuary

Leviticus 10:9See alsoEzekiel 44:21

They were disqualified by physical defects

Leviticus 21:17See alsoLeviticus 21:18-22

They were not to allow outsiders to eat the sacred offerings

Leviticus 22:15-16See alsoLeviticus 24:9;1 Samuel 21:4;Matthew 12:4

They were not to own land in Israel

Numbers 18:20See alsoEzekiel 44:28

They were not to offer unacceptable sacrifices

Leviticus 22:20See alsoMalachi 1:7-9

They were to obey God's law meticulously

Leviticus 22:31See alsoEzekiel 44:24

The priests supervised the sanctuary

They only had access to holy things

They tended the sanctuary lamps

Exodus 27:21

They carried the ark

Deuteronomy 31:9See alsoJoshua 3:8,15,17;Joshua 4:9,16;Joshua 6:12

The priests supervised the sacrifices

Leviticus 1:5See alsoLeviticus 1:8;Leviticus 2:2;1 Chronicles 9:30

The priests led the nation

As role models

Malachi 2:6

As teachers

Ezekiel 44:23See alsoLeviticus 10:10;Deuteronomy 31:10-13;Ezra 7:6;Malachi 2:7

As judges

Deuteronomy 17:9See alsoDeuteronomy 19:17;Deuteronomy 21:5;2 Chronicles 19:8;Ezekiel 44:24

As encouragers in battle

Prophetic criticism of the priests

Lamentations 4:13See alsoJeremiah 2:8;Jeremiah 6:13;Ezekiel 7:26;Ezekiel 22:26;Hosea 4:6-9;Hosea 6:9;Zephaniah 3:4