Topical Encyclopedia
The role of priests in the Old Testament was central to the religious life of Israel, serving as mediators between God and the people. The consecration of priests and the offering of sacrifices were pivotal ceremonies that underscored the holiness required to approach God. These ceremonies are detailed primarily in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers.
Consecration of PriestsThe consecration of priests is described in
Exodus 29 and
Leviticus 8. This process was essential for sanctifying Aaron and his sons to serve in the priestly office. The ceremony involved several key elements:
1.
Washing with Water: The priests were washed with water at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, symbolizing purification (
Exodus 29:4;
Leviticus 8:6).
2.
Sacred Garments: Aaron was clothed with sacred garments, including the tunic, robe, ephod, and breastpiece, and a turban with a holy crown (
Exodus 29:5-6;
Leviticus 8:7-9).
3.
Anointing with Oil: The anointing oil was poured on Aaron’s head, signifying the Holy Spirit's empowerment and setting him apart for service (
Exodus 29:7;
Leviticus 8:12).
4.
Sin Offering: A bull was offered as a sin offering, with its blood applied to the altar, symbolizing atonement for sin (
Exodus 29:10-14;
Leviticus 8:14-17).
5.
Burnt Offering: A ram was offered as a burnt offering, representing complete dedication to God (
Exodus 29:15-18;
Leviticus 8:18-21).
6.
Ordination Offering: A second ram, the ram of ordination, was sacrificed. Its blood was applied to Aaron and his sons' right ear, thumb, and big toe, symbolizing the consecration of their hearing, work, and walk (
Exodus 29:19-21;
Leviticus 8:22-24).
7.
Wave Offering: Portions of the ordination ram, along with unleavened bread, were waved before the LORD as a wave offering (
Exodus 29:22-25;
Leviticus 8:25-29).
8.
Seven-Day Consecration: The consecration ceremony lasted seven days, during which the priests remained at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting (
Exodus 29:35-37;
Leviticus 8:33-36).
Offering SacrificesThe priests were responsible for offering various sacrifices on behalf of the people, as outlined in
Leviticus 1-7. These sacrifices included:
1.
Burnt Offerings: Offered for atonement and dedication, the entire animal was consumed on the altar (Leviticus 1).
2.
Grain Offerings: Consisting of fine flour, oil, and frankincense, these offerings expressed thanksgiving and dedication (Leviticus 2).
3.
Peace Offerings: Symbolizing fellowship with God, these included a shared meal between the offerer, the priests, and God (Leviticus 3).
4.
Sin Offerings: Made for unintentional sins, the blood of the sacrifice was applied to the altar, and the fat was burned (Leviticus 4).
5.
Guilt Offerings: Offered for specific transgressions, these required restitution and a sacrifice (
Leviticus 5:14-6:7).
The priests meticulously followed these rituals, ensuring that the offerings were made according to God’s commands. The sacrificial system underscored the seriousness of sin, the need for atonement, and the holiness required to approach God. The priests, through these ceremonies, facilitated the people's worship and maintained the covenant relationship between God and Israel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Exodus 29:10-19And you shall cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands on the head of the bullock.
Torrey's Topical TextbookLeviticus 8:14-23
And he brought the bullock for the sin offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bullock for the sin offering.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ...
... Objection 9: Further, exterior consecration signifies interior ... Therefore the ceremonies
relating to holy things had a ... the Holy Place, the priests entered every ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sufficient reason can be.htm
The Burnt Offering a Picture and a Prophecy
... they be great or small, if only the consecration be thorough ... by with bloody hands
while the priests arrange the ... of empty and often repulsive ceremonies, if they ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the burnt offering a picture.htm
Whether, at the Time of the Law, the Ceremonies of the Old Law had ...
... Because expiation from sin and consecration pertains to justification. ... Reply to
Objection 2: The priests pleased God in the ceremonies by their obedience ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether at the time of.htm
The Consecration of Joy
... The feast of tabernacles was the consecration of joy. ... two, both referring to later
additions to the ceremonies. ... forth, and there, before the priests with their ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the consecration of joy.htm
Scriptural Types.
... the breast of the ram of consecration was waved ... The priests themselves entered the
outer sanctuary daily to ... appears very strikingly in the ceremonies of the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm
"Lo, I Come": Exposition
... which were tokens of gratitude and consecration"these also ... in your own forms and
ceremonies, and place ... The rites appropriate to priests are abolished with ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/lo i come exposition.htm
On Idolatry
... and to Qrhskeiav, the religious ceremonies or superstitions ... the divine institution:
but a consecration to adore ... linen clothes, the vestments of priests, and of ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 23 on idolatry.htm
The Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... is not to be sought in ceremonies and rites ... the cross; and all believers are priests
offering spiritual sacrifices ... pledges on our part for our consecration to him ...
/.../ 55 the second helvetic.htm
Of the Five Sacraments, Falsely So Called. Their Spuriousness ...
... been made by Christ kings and priests unto God. ... The Doorkeepers, on consecration,
receive the keys of the ... Such are the ceremonies which, it would seem, possess ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 19 of the five.htm
The Foundation of the Church among the Jews
... 36]," in performance of one of the ceremonies of the ... iv.), Priests were Priests only,
and not Bishops, unless they had special consecration to the ...
/.../blunt/a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter i the foundation of.htm
Resources
Does 2 Chronicles 5:14 teach slaying in the Spirit? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the Levitical priesthood? | GotQuestions.orgDid Jesus mean that we should never refer to our earthly father as “father” (Matthew 23:9)? Is it wrong for Catholics to refer to their priests as “father”? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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