Understanding Their Role in Ancient Israel Priests Understanding Their Role in Ancient Israel

Some Background /hK or khn is the word most often used for priest Cultic official Exod 28:41 You shall put them on your brother Aaron, and on his sons with him, and shall anoint them and ordain them and consecrate them, so that they may serve me as priests. Exod 29:7-8 You shall take the anointing oil, and pour it on his head and anoint him. Then you shall bring his sons, and put tunics on them; and the priesthood shall be theirs by perpetual ordinance.

Ordination Lev 8 vv. 6-9 Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons forward, and washed them with water. He put the tunic on him, fastened the sash around him, clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod on him. He then put the decorated band of the ephod around him, tying the ephod to him with it. He placed the breastplate on him, and in the breastpiece he put Urim and Thummin. And he set the turban on his head, and on the turban, in front, he set the golden ornament, the holy crown, as the Lord commanded Moses.

Ephod A kind of bodice Linen Embroidered with violet, purple, and scarlet threads Interwoven with gold Worn over the plain, sleeveless tunic (all violet); with a skirt of bells in between woven pomegranates

Breastplate Patterned brocade like the ephod Gold, blue, purple, and crimson wool as well as twisted linen Each thread must be 28 ply 6 of blue, 6 of purple, 6 of crimson, 6 of white twisted linen and 4 of gold 12 stones set in gold; one each for the tribes of Israel

Stones of Remembrance On the shoulders of the high priest are two remembrance stones in onyx set in gold filigree Each is engraved with the name of six tribes

Urim and Thummim Carried under the breastplate Used to divine the will of God (Numbers 27:21, for example) Stones used for “yes” and “no” questions (perhaps also more complex ones) depending on the pattern of their falling Words engraved on them are for “darkness” and “light”

Duties Keeper of the sanctuary; Num 18:5 You yourselves shall perform the duties of the altar, so that wrath may never again come upon the Israelites. See also Num 18:1 The Lord said to Aaron: You and your sons and your ancestral house with you shall bear responsibility for offenses connected with the priesthood. Mediated the relationship between God and humankind Sacrifice Prayer Consulting Urim and Thummin Other ritual acts

Sacrifices -- Animal Burnt offering or ‘olah Peace offering “soothing odor” for the deity (Exod 29:38-42) Peace offering Consumed by humans as opposed to God Thanksgiving Vowed sacrifice Freewill Purification Offering To right a wrong or an oversight Atonement For the whole community

Priestly Lines Priests were said to come from the house of Levi (Deut 10:8; 33:8-11) Aaron was the major figure through whom priests traced their lineage Other families were probably always serving Zadok emerges powerfully in David’s time Zadok (in spite of genealogies in Chronicles) is probably not a Levite

High Priest Although spoken of before the exile, it is likely this office does not come into being until then Ezekiel’s temple visions (40-48) speak of this office With no king, the High Priest becomes the chief official of the Temple and thus of the people High Priest was the only official allowed in the Holy of Holies (and that on the Day of Atonement) Higher degree of purity expected Became an office for life

Joshua as High Priest Seen as unclean as the result of the exilic experience (Zech 3) Stands before God Accused by the adversary (ha-satan). Compare Job 1-2; 1 Chr 21:1 (like 2 Sam 24:1) Joshua is approved by God; see Zech 6:11