Topical Bible: Priest: The Title Appears After the Institution of the office

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The term "priest" in the Bible refers to an individual set apart for the purpose of mediating between God and humanity, primarily through the offering of sacrifices and the performance of religious rituals. The office of the priesthood is first formally instituted in the Mosaic Law, although the concept of priesthood appears earlier in the biblical narrative.

Early References and Patriarchal Priesthood

Before the formal establishment of the Levitical priesthood, the Bible records instances of priestly functions being performed by patriarchal figures. For example, Melchizedek, the king of Salem, is described as "a priest of God Most High" (Genesis 14:18). He blesses Abram and receives tithes from him, prefiguring the later priestly role. Similarly, Job, acting as a priest for his family, offers sacrifices on their behalf (Job 1:5).

The Levitical Priesthood

The formal institution of the priesthood occurs with the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. God appoints Aaron, the brother of Moses, and his descendants as priests, establishing the Aaronic or Levitical priesthood. Exodus 28:1 states, "Bring near to you your brother Aaron and his sons from among the Israelites to serve Me as priests—Aaron and his sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar."

The Levitical priests were responsible for performing sacrifices, maintaining the Tabernacle (and later the Temple), and teaching the Israelites God's laws. The high priest, a position first held by Aaron, had unique responsibilities, including entering the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement to make atonement for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16).

Priestly Duties and Garments

The duties of the priests were extensive and included offering daily sacrifices, burning incense, and blessing the people. They also played a crucial role in determining the cleanliness and uncleanliness of individuals and objects, as outlined in Leviticus.

Priestly garments were distinct and symbolic, designed to reflect the holiness and dignity of the office. Exodus 28:2 describes them as "sacred garments for your brother Aaron, for glory and for beauty." These included the ephod, breastplate, robe, tunic, turban, and sash, each with specific instructions for their creation and use.

The Priesthood in the New Testament

In the New Testament, the concept of priesthood undergoes a significant transformation. Jesus Christ is presented as the ultimate High Priest, fulfilling and surpassing the Levitical priesthood. Hebrews 4:14 declares, "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess."

Christ's priesthood is according to the order of Melchizedek, as explained in Hebrews 7, emphasizing its eternal and perfect nature. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus mediates a new covenant, rendering the old sacrificial system obsolete.

The Priesthood of All Believers

The New Testament also introduces the concept of the "priesthood of all believers," indicating that all Christians have direct access to God through Christ. 1 Peter 2:9 states, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

This doctrine emphasizes the personal relationship each believer has with God, eliminating the need for an earthly mediator and underscoring the communal and individual responsibilities of Christians to live holy lives and proclaim the Gospel.

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Leviticus 21:10-15
And he that is the high priest among his brothers, on whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes;
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Numbers 3:32
And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be chief over the chief of the Levites, and have the oversight of them that keep the charge of the sanctuary.
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Library

Additional Notes
... The obits of several persons to whom that title is given are ... it does not follow from
this that he was a priest. ... to the sick by laymen; and there appears to be ...
/.../st bernard of clairvauxs life of st malachy of armagh/additional notes.htm

Of the Teachers and Ministers of the Church. Their Election and ...
... 1). According to this interpretation, which appears to me ... be distinguished from others
by a peculiar title. ... as of divine authority, that the priest be chosen ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 3 of the teachers.htm

Presbyters or Bishops. The Angels of the Seven Churches. James of ...
... The reason why the title bishop (and not presbyter ... traditions of the second century
he appears both as ... in the sense ofsacerdos, hiereus, priest, dates from the ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 61 presbyters or bishops.htm

One Argument which Has Been Much Relied Upon but not More than Its ...
... city." Yet Ananus, though here called the high priest Ananus, was ... "And Pilate wrote
a title, and put ... That there appears, in the writers of the New Testament, a ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter vi one argument which.htm

On the Offices of Our Lord Jesus Christ
... he is called "the saviour" by anointing, it appears to us ... of the New Testament, in
which the title and all ... But the Messiah is both the Priest and the victim. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 14 on the offices.htm

Doctrine and Discipline of the Church
... The prevalence of this view appears to have encouraged ... be supplemented by Christ
Himself as the high priest. ... was the bishops who decided the title to saintship ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter xi doctrine and discipline.htm

The Ancient Form of Government Utterly Corrupted by the Tyranny of ...
... Hence it appears what kind of elections these must have ... while they only retain the
honorary title of collations. ... that he does not the office of priest while he ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 5 the ancient form.htm

Of the State of the Primitive Church, and the Mode of Government ...
... of their number to whom they gave the special title of bishop ... Is it not better for
a priest to melt them for ... And it appears, from the words of Cyprian, that, in ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 4 of the state.htm

The Christian Ministry, and Its Relation to the Christian ...
... It appears in the New Testament under different names ... the beginning of the third
century the title or function ... 1:6; 5:10; 20:6. The English "priest" (the German ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 59 the christian ministry.htm

Of the Jurisdiction of the Church, and the Abuses of It, as ...
... For, as Ambrose says, "What more honourable title can an ... If he appears not, he is
admonished to appear ... Palaces belong to the emperor, churches to the priest. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 of the jurisdiction.htm