Topical Bible: Priest: Miscellaneous Facts Concerning: Wickedness of

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The role of the priest in ancient Israel was one of great responsibility and spiritual significance. Priests were tasked with mediating between God and the people, offering sacrifices, and maintaining the sanctity of worship. However, the Bible records instances where priests fell into wickedness, failing in their duties and leading the people astray.

1. Eli's Sons, Hophni and Phinehas: The sons of Eli, the high priest, are notable examples of priestly wickedness. They are described as "worthless men" who "had no regard for the LORD" (1 Samuel 2:12). They abused their priestly privileges by taking the best portions of the sacrifices for themselves and engaging in immoral behavior with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting (1 Samuel 2:22). Their actions led to God's judgment against Eli's household.

2. Corruption in the Time of Malachi: The prophet Malachi rebuked the priests of his day for their corruption and failure to honor God. They offered blemished sacrifices, showing contempt for the Lord's altar (Malachi 1:6-8). Malachi warned that God would curse their blessings and spread refuse on their faces as a sign of their disgrace (Malachi 2:1-3).

3. False Prophets and Priests in Jeremiah's Time: The prophet Jeremiah condemned the priests and prophets of his time for their deceit and wickedness. They proclaimed peace when there was no peace and failed to address the people's sin (Jeremiah 6:13-14). Jeremiah lamented that "both prophet and priest are godless; even in My house I have found their wickedness" (Jeremiah 23:11).

4. Priests in the New Testament: In the New Testament, the chief priests played a significant role in the opposition to Jesus. They conspired to arrest and kill Him, fearing the loss of their power and influence (Matthew 26:3-4). Their actions culminated in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus, as they incited the crowd to demand His death (Mark 15:11-14).

5. Warnings Against False Priests: Throughout Scripture, there are warnings against false priests who lead people away from true worship. In Ezekiel, God condemns the priests who fail to distinguish between the holy and the common, leading the people into idolatry (Ezekiel 22:26). The New Testament also warns of false teachers who, like the wicked priests of old, distort the truth for personal gain (2 Peter 2:1-3).

The Bible's portrayal of wicked priests serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of spiritual corruption and the importance of faithfulness in religious leadership.

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2 Chronicles 36:14
Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem.
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Library

The Pentateuch.
... again, rest on false assumptions in regard to facts. ... for it prefigured Christ our
great High Priest, with his ... are necessarily of a very miscellaneous character ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xix the pentateuch.htm

The Sibylline Oracles.
... Being of this miscellaneous character, the Sibyllines must ... These facts are produced
in orthodox language, which ... His words concerning the Cross have continually ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm

Tendencies of Religious Thought in England, 1688-1750.
... of express from thence to make a report concerning it.' (Calamy ... because it first
neglected the great facts in which ... of the time we find a miscellaneous crowd of ...
/.../tendencies of religious thought in.htm

Church Fabrics and Services.
... prayers in behalf of a departing soul, and to summon the priest, if he had ... was 100,000,
and the church would only accommodate 300.[977] These facts seem almost ...
/.../the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter x church fabrics and.htm