What does the Bible say about priests?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that God appointed priests to represent His people in sacrificial worship, to guard holy things, and to serve under His covenant, while ultimately pointing to Jesus Christ, the perfect and final High Priest. Early worshipers such as Abel, Noah, and Abraham built altars and offered sacrifices to the Lord in Genesis 4:3-4, 8:20, 12:8, and 35:7. Under Moses, God set apart Aaron and his sons for an enduring priestly office, commanding their consecration and guarding their access to holy service in Exodus 19:22, 29:9, 40:15, and Numbers 3:10. These provisions reveal both God’s holiness and human need for a mediator, fulfilled finally in Christ.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Torrey's New Topical Textbook
- First notice of persons acting as Genesis 4:3; Genesis 4:4
- During patriarchal age heads of families acted as Genesis 8:20; Genesis 12:8; Genesis 35:7
- After the exodus young men (first-born) deputed to act as Exodus 24:5; Exodus 19:22
- The sons of Aaron appointed as, by perpetual statute Exodus 29:9; Exodus 40:15
- All except seed of Aaron excluded from being Numbers 3:10; Numbers 16:40; Numbers 18:7
- Sanctified by God for the office Exodus 29:44
- Publicly consecrated Exodus 28:3; Numbers 3:3
- Ceremonies at consecration of
- Washing in water Exodus 29:4; Leviticus 8:6
- Clothing with the holy garments Exodus 29:8; Exodus 29:9; Exodus 40:14; Leviticus 8:13
- Anointing with oil Exodus 30:30; Exodus 40:13
- Offering sacrifices Exodus 29:10-19; Leviticus 8:14-23
- Purification by blood of the consecration ram Exodus 29:20; Exodus 29:21; Leviticus 8:23; Leviticus 8:24
- Placing in their hands the wave-offering Exodus 29:22-24; Leviticus 8:25-27
- Partaking of the sacrifices of consecration Exodus 29:31-33; Leviticus 8:31; Leviticus 8:32
- Lasted seven days Exodus 29:35-37; Leviticus 8:33
- Required to remain in the tabernacle seven days after consecration Leviticus 8:33-36
- No blemished or defective persons could be consecrated Leviticus 21:17-23
- Required to prove their genealogy before they exercised the office Ezra 2:62; Nehemiah 7:64
- Garments of
- The coat or tunic Exodus 28:40; Exodus 39:27
- The girdle Exodus 28:40
- The bonnet Exodus 28:40; Exodus 39:28
- The linen breeches Exodus 28:42; Exodus 39:28
- Worn at consecration Exodus 29:9; Exodus 40:15
- Worn always while engaged in the service of the tabernacle Exodus 28:43; Exodus 39:41
- Worn by the high priest on the day of atonement Leviticus 16:4
- Purified by sprinkling of blood Exodus 29:21
- Laid up in holy chambers Ezekiel 44:19
- Often provided by the people Ezra 2:68; Ezra 2:69; Nehemiah 7:70; Nehemiah 7:72
- Required to wash in the brazen laver before they performed their services Exodus 30:18-21
- Services of
- Keeping the charge of the tabernacle Numbers 18:1; Numbers 18:5; Numbers 18:7
- Covering the sacred things of the sanctuary before removal Numbers 4:5-15
- Offering sacrifices Leviticus 1:1-6:30; 2 Chronicles 29:34; 2 Chronicles 35:11
- Lighting and trimming the lamps of the sanctuary Exodus 27:20; Exodus 27:21; Leviticus 24:3; Leviticus 24:4
- Keeping the sacred fire always burning on the altar Leviticus 6:12; Leviticus 6:13
- Burning incense Exodus 20:7; Exodus 20:8; Luke 1:9
- Placing and removing show-bread Leviticus 24:5-9
- Offering first fruits Leviticus 23:10; Leviticus 23:11; Deuteronomy 26:3; Deuteronomy 26:4
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