Topical Bible: Priest: Duties of To Act As Scribes

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In the ancient Israelite context, priests held a multifaceted role that extended beyond their primary duties of conducting sacrifices and maintaining the sanctuary. One of the significant yet often overlooked responsibilities of the priesthood was to act as scribes. This duty involved the meticulous recording, preserving, and teaching of the Law, which was central to the spiritual and communal life of Israel.

Biblical Foundation

The role of priests as scribes is rooted in their responsibility to uphold and disseminate the Law given by God. In Deuteronomy 31:9 , it is recorded, "So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel." This passage highlights the priestly duty to safeguard the written Law, ensuring its accuracy and availability to the people.

Teaching and Interpretation

Priests were also tasked with teaching the Law to the Israelites, serving as interpreters and educators. In Leviticus 10:11 , the LORD commands Aaron and his sons, "You must teach the Israelites all the statutes that the LORD has given them through Moses." This directive underscores the educational role of the priests, who were to instruct the people in the ways of God, ensuring that His commandments were understood and followed.

Judicial Functions

In addition to teaching, priests acted as judges in matters of the Law, providing authoritative interpretations and decisions. Deuteronomy 17:9 instructs, "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 judicial function required a deep understanding of the Law, further emphasizing the scribal aspect of the priestly office.

Preservation of Sacred Texts

The preservation of sacred texts was another critical aspect of the priests' scribal duties. They were responsible for copying and maintaining the integrity of the Scriptures, ensuring that future generations would have access to the divine revelations. This task was vital for the continuity of Israel's religious and cultural identity.

Role in the Synagogue

During the post-exilic period, the role of priests as scribes became even more pronounced with the rise of the synagogue as a center for teaching and worship. Priests, along with Levites, were instrumental in reading and explaining the Scriptures to the congregation, as seen in Nehemiah 8:7-8 , where the Levites "instructed the people in the Law as they stood in their places. They read from the Book of the Law of God, clearly explaining and giving insight so that the people could understand what was being read."

Conclusion

The priestly duty to act as scribes was integral to the spiritual leadership of Israel. Through their roles as preservers, teachers, and interpreters of the Law, priests ensured that the covenantal relationship between God and His people was maintained and that His statutes were faithfully transmitted across generations.

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Ezra 7:1-6
Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,
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Nehemiah 8:9
And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said to all the people, This day is holy to the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
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Library

Matt. vii. 28
... Wherefore he saith, "Show thyself to the priest, and offer ... approval of the priests;"
which was the act of one ... mind, let us also fulfill all our duties to our ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxv matt vii 28.htm

Jesus Defends Disciples who Pluck Grain on the Sabbath.
... Every slightest act of his was submitted to a ... of God when Abiathar was high priest,
^c and ... the gold lamps, burned incense, and performed various other duties. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxviii jesus defends disciples who.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

A New Age and New Standards
... of humanity; and third, a recognition of new duties and the ... And by chance a certain
priest was going down that way ... Jesus goes back of the act to the lustful ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter vi a new age.htm

The Priesthood of Christ
... in which we have to consider the duties to be ... of the two functions to be discharged,
was the act of prayer ... High Priest, is a new one, and will endure forever. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/oration iv the priesthood of.htm

The Knowledge of Jesus Christ the Best Knowledge
... to take him to be our prophet, priest, and king ... to reason, indeed, set up another
principle to act from; they ... not what, Of doing moral an civil duties of life ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the knowledge of jesus christ.htm

Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
... the rule of God's providence, that those who act up to ... The passages read to him by
the high priest seem to ... the people or relating to his own duties[16], Josiah ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon vii josiah a pattern.htm

Second Sunday after Easter
... But having fulfilled his official duties, and the hour of his ... For instance, if a
preacher is disposed to act the knave ... He had to be his own high priest in this ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday after easter.htm

The Old Testament and Comparative Religion
... The seed of those who act unjustly shall ... The Babylonian priest retained certain parts
for himself, which was also the ... The duties of these angels are manifold. ...
/.../eiselen/the christian view of the old testament/chapter v the old testament.htm

Acts I
... of their sins; then teaching them all their duties and privileges ... the history shows
it to be the first act of the ... not under the vail, as the high priest had gone ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts i.htm