Topical Encyclopedia In the time of Moses, the role of the priest was integral to the religious and communal life of the Israelites. The priesthood was established by God through Moses, with Aaron, Moses' brother, appointed as the first high priest. The priests were responsible for performing sacrifices, maintaining the Tabernacle, and instructing the people in the laws of God.Marriage of Priests The marriage of priests during the time of Moses was subject to specific regulations as outlined in the Mosaic Law. These regulations were intended to maintain the holiness and purity required of those who served in the sacred office. The priests, being set apart for service to God, were expected to uphold a standard of conduct that reflected their consecrated status. Levitical Regulations The Book of Leviticus provides detailed instructions regarding the conduct and qualifications of priests, including their marital arrangements. Leviticus 21:7 states, "They must not marry a woman defiled by prostitution or divorced by her husband, for the priest is holy to his God" . This command underscores the importance of purity and holiness in the priestly family, as the priests were to be examples of righteousness to the people. Furthermore, the high priest, who held the most sacred position, was subject to even stricter marital requirements. Leviticus 21:13-14 specifies, "The woman he marries must be a virgin. He must not marry a widow, a divorced woman, or one defiled by prostitution, but only a virgin from his own people" . This regulation ensured that the high priest's lineage remained pure and untainted by associations that could be seen as compromising his holy status. Cultural and Theological Significance The marriage regulations for priests were not merely cultural customs but were deeply rooted in theological principles. The priesthood symbolized the relationship between God and His people, and the sanctity of the priest's marriage was a reflection of the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. By adhering to these marital laws, the priests demonstrated their commitment to God's holiness and their role as mediators between God and the Israelites. The emphasis on marrying within the community ("from his own people") also reinforced the importance of maintaining the distinct identity of the Israelites as God's chosen people. This requirement helped to prevent the assimilation of foreign practices and beliefs that could lead the people away from their covenant with God. Moses' Own Marriage While Moses himself was not a priest, his marriage provides additional context for understanding the cultural and religious dynamics of the time. Moses married Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro, a Midianite priest (Exodus 2:21). This union, while outside the immediate Israelite community, was significant in that Jethro recognized and respected the God of Israel, as seen in Exodus 18:10-12. Moses' marriage illustrates the complexities of maintaining religious and cultural identity while interacting with surrounding nations. In summary, the marriage of priests during the time of Moses was governed by divine regulations that emphasized purity, holiness, and the preservation of Israel's distinct identity. These laws served to uphold the sanctity of the priesthood and the covenantal relationship between God and His people. Nave's Topical Index Leviticus 21:7-15They shall not take a wife that is a whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy to his God. Nave's Topical Index Ezekiel 44:22 Library Marriage of the Blessed virgin to Joseph How the Hebrews Fought with the Midianites, and Overcame Them. Questions on the Explanations Article xxiii (xi): of the Marriage of Priests. The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ... Joseph, the Prime Minister Fragment xxxii. Josephus Says, that when Moses had Been Brought up ... How Moses Fled Out of Egypt into Midian. The Polity Settled by Moses; and How He Disappeared from among ... The Earlier Hebrew Histories. Resources Why were the people guilty for a priest's sin? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the significance of the anointed priest? | GotQuestions.org Why did God restrict the age that a priest could serve (Numbers 8:24 26)? | GotQuestions.org Priest: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Priest: (The Function he Served Was Superior to That of Other Priests): Judicial Priest: (The Function he Served Was Superior to That of Other Priests): On the Day of Atonement Priest: (The Function he Served Was Superior to That of Other Priests): Respect Due To Priest: (The Function he Served Was Superior to That of Other Priests): To Burn Incense Priest: (The Function he Served Was Superior to That of Other Priests): To Count the People Priest: (The Function he Served Was Superior to That of Other Priests): To offer Sacrifices Priest: (The Function he Served Was Superior to That of Other Priests): Vestments of Priest: A Second Priest, Under the High Priest Priest: Before Moses: Called "Angel" Priest: Before Moses: Melchizedek Priest: Before Moses: Priests in Israel Before the Giving of the Law Priest: Benefits of Firstfruits Priest: Benefits of for the Sustenance of Their Families Priest: Benefits of No Part of the Land of Canaan Allowed To Priest: Benefits of of the Firstborn Priest: Benefits of own Lands Sanctified to the Lord Priest: Benefits of Part of the Plunder of War, Including Captives Priest: Benefits of Portion of Land Allotted To, in Redistribution in Ezekiel's Vision Priest: Benefits of Portions of Sacrifices and offerings Priest: Benefits of Provided With Cities and Suburbs Priest: Benefits of Redemption Money Priest: Benefits of Regulations by Hezekiah Concerning Benefits to the Priests Priest: Benefits of The Shewbread Priest: Benefits of Things Devoted Priest: Benefits of Tithes of the Tithes Priest: Benefits of Trespass Money and Other Trepass offerings Priest: Distribute the Plunder of War Priest: Duties of be Present at and Supervise the Tithing Priest: Duties of Chiefs of Levites Priest: Duties of Keep the Sacred Fire Always Burning Priest: Duties of Light the Lamps in the Tabernacle Priest: Duties of Officiate in the Holy Place Priest: Duties of Pronounce Benedictions Priest: Duties of Purify the Unclean Priest: Duties of Responsible for the Sanctuary Priest: Duties of Sound the Trumpet in Summoning Assemblies and in Battle Priest: Duties of Teach the Law Priest: Duties of Through the Jordan River Priest: Duties of To Act As Magistrates Priest: Duties of To Act As Scribes Priest: Duties of To Encourage the Army on the Eve of Battle Priest: Duties of To Furnish a Quota of Wood for the Sanctuary Priest: Duties of To offer Sacrifices Priest: Duties of To offer the Firstfruits Priest: Duties of Valuate Things Devoted Priest: had Charge of the Sanctuary and Altar Priest: Incite the People to Ask That Barabbas be Released and Jesus be Destroyed Priest: Miscellaneous Facts Concerning of the Captivity Priest: Miscellaneous Facts Concerning: Conspire to Destroy Jesus Priest: Miscellaneous Facts Concerning: Corrupt Priest: Miscellaneous Facts Concerning: Eli's Sons Priest: Miscellaneous Facts Concerning: Paul Brought Before Priest: Miscellaneous Facts Concerning: Persecute the Disciples Priest: Miscellaneous Facts Concerning: Polluted by Marrying Idolatrous Wives Priest: Miscellaneous Facts Concerning: Priestly office Performed by Prophets Priest: Miscellaneous Facts Concerning: Put on Trial and Condemn Jesus Priest: Miscellaneous Facts Concerning: Put on Trial, Condemn, and Stone Stephen Priest: Miscellaneous Facts Concerning: Reprove and Threaten Peter and John Priest: Miscellaneous Facts Concerning: Restore the Altar, and offer Sacrifices Priest: Miscellaneous Facts Concerning: Return from the Captivity Priest: Miscellaneous Facts Concerning: Supervise the Building of the New Temple Priest: Miscellaneous Facts Concerning: Taken With the Captivity to Babylon Priest: Miscellaneous Facts Concerning: Wickedness of Priest: Miscellaneous Facts Concerning: Zeal of, in Purging the Temple Priest: Miscellaneous Facts Concerning: Zealous Priest: Officiate at the Choice of a Ruler Priest: The Time of Moses is Holy Priest: The Time of Moses: Ablutions of Priest: The Time of Moses: Armed and Organized for War at the Time of the Disaffection Toward Saul Priest: The Time of Moses: Atonement For Priest: The Time of Moses: Beard and Hair of Priest: The Time of Moses: Chambers For, in the Temple Area Priest: The Time of Moses: Chosen by Lot Priest: The Time of Moses: Consecration of Priest: The Time of Moses: Defilement and Purification of Priest: The Time of Moses: Don Vestments in the Temple Area Priest: The Time of Moses: Exempt from Tax Priest: The Time of Moses: Hereditary, Descent of office Priest: The Time of Moses: Marriage of Priest: The Time of Moses: Must be Without Blemish Priest: The Time of Moses: Priests Who Were not from the Sons of Levi Were Appointed by Jeroboam Priest: The Time of Moses: Twenty-Four Divisions (Shifts) of Priest: The Time of Moses: Usurpations of office of Priest: The Time of Moses: Vestments of Priest: The Title Appears After the Institution of the office Priest: To Designate Subordinate Priests for Duty Priest: To Have Charge of the Treasury Priest: To Light the Lamps of the Tabernacle Priest: To offer for his own Sins of Ignorance Priest: To officiate in Consecrations of Levites Priest: To Place Shewbread on the Table Every Sabbath Related Terms |