Topical Bible: Priest: Duties of To Act As Magistrates

◄ Priest: Duties of To Act As Magistrates ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, priests held a multifaceted role within the community of Israel, extending beyond their primary religious duties to include responsibilities akin to those of magistrates. This judicial function was integral to maintaining the social and spiritual order of the nation.

Judicial Authority and Responsibilities

The priests were entrusted with the authority to interpret and apply the Law of Moses, serving as judges in legal disputes and matters of ceremonial purity. This role is underscored in Deuteronomy 17:8-9 , which states, "If a case is too difficult for you to judge—whether bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults—take it to the place the LORD your God will choose. Go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who is in office at that time. Inquire of them, and they will give you the verdict."

This passage highlights the priests' responsibility to provide definitive judgments in complex cases, ensuring that justice was administered according to divine statutes. Their decisions were considered final and binding, reflecting their role as God's representatives in legal matters.

Mediation and Conflict Resolution

In addition to adjudicating legal disputes, priests acted as mediators, facilitating reconciliation between conflicting parties. Their involvement in conflict resolution is evident in their duty to oversee oaths and vows, as seen in Numbers 5:19-22 , where the priest administers the oath of the curse to a woman accused of infidelity. This process underscores the priest's role in upholding truth and integrity within the community.

Guidance in Moral and Ethical Issues

Priests also provided guidance on moral and ethical issues, drawing from their deep understanding of the Law. Malachi 2:7 emphasizes this aspect of their duty: "For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts." This verse illustrates the expectation that priests would offer wise counsel and instruction, helping individuals and the community align with God's commandments.

Role in National Leadership

The priestly role as magistrates extended to national leadership, particularly during times of crisis or transition. In 2 Chronicles 19:8-11 , King Jehoshaphat appoints priests and Levites to administer justice, instructing them to "act with fear of the LORD, with faithfulness, and with a loyal heart." This delegation of judicial authority to the priesthood underscores their integral role in governance and their responsibility to uphold divine justice.

Conclusion

The duties of priests as magistrates were essential to the theocratic society of ancient Israel. Their judicial responsibilities ensured that the community adhered to God's laws, promoting justice, peace, and righteousness. Through their role as judges, mediators, and moral guides, priests contributed significantly to the spiritual and social fabric of the nation.

Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 5:14-31
And the spirit of jealousy come on him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy come on him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled:
Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 17:8-13
If there arise a matter too hard for you in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within your gates: then shall you arise, and get you up into the place which the LORD your God shall choose;
Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 19:17
Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;
Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 21:5
And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them the LORD your God has chosen to minister to him, and to bless in the name of the LORD; and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be tried:
Nave's Topical Index

2 Chronicles 19:8
Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.
Nave's Topical Index

Ezekiel 44:23,24
And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

'A Mirror for Magistrates'
... They are not only to act for and with Jehovah ... tincture of Jehoshaphat's simple and
devout wisdom into their duties! ... A politician may be 'a priest of the Most ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a mirror for magistrates.htm

Questions on the Explanations
... 415. How did the first Protestants act towards the Church? 416. ... 603. What are their
duties? 604. ... 628. Can a priest bless it in case of necessity? 629. ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/questions on the explanations.htm

Life of St. Ambrose.
... Ambrose with the words, "Go and act, not as a ... God, and insisted on being baptized
by a Catholic priest. ... of State, the Bishop never neglected the duties of his ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/v life of st ambrose.htm

Christ's Priestly Office
... Christ knew no sin.' 2 Corinthians 5: He knew sin in its weight, not in the
act. ... What would become of our duties without a high priest? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/4 christs priestly office.htm

Of Evil-Speaking in General.
... that this is one of the principal duties that preachers ... As for the act, it may be
inquired what the ... As also when the high priest commanded him illegally and ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/of evil-speaking in general.htm

Concerning Christian Liberty
... By the use of these words, "priest," "clergy," "spiritual ... contrition, penitence,
and all other duties, are performed ... principle we ought to act, receiving those ...
/.../luther/concerning christian liberty/concerning christian liberty.htm

Concerning Christian Liberty
... By the use of these words, "priest," "clergy," "spiritual ... contrition, penitence,
and all other duties, are performed ... principle we ought to act, receiving those ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/concerning christian liberty.htm

Article xxiii (xi): of the Marriage of Priests.
... At those times this dismissal was an act of kindness ... were separated from their wives,
the priest in the ... a married person merits it by conjugal duties but each ...
/.../the apology of the augsburg confession/part 28 article xxiii xi .htm

The Abrogation of the Saybrook Platform
... him, in 1753, of Rector Punderson, the priest recently placed ... several afterward,
for attending the same duties and I ... her, and the proposed Stamp Act drove her ...
/.../chapter xi the abrogation of.htm

The French Reformation
... consecration, nor did he fulfill the duties of a ... in honor of the "holy sacrament,"
an act of expiation ... be the gospel of Christ," urged the priest, "seeing the ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 12 the french reformation.htm