In the Old Testament, the role of the priest was central to the religious life of Israel, particularly in the offering of sacrifices. The priesthood was established by God through Moses, with Aaron and his descendants set apart to serve as priests (Exodus 28:1). The primary function of the priests was to act as mediators between God and the people, facilitating the sacrificial system that was integral to Israelite worship.

The Sacrificial System

The sacrificial system was instituted by God as a means for the Israelites to atone for sin, express devotion, and maintain a covenant relationship with Him. The Book of Leviticus provides detailed instructions on the various types of sacrifices, which include burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings (Leviticus 1-7). Each type of sacrifice had specific purposes and procedures, and the priests were responsible for ensuring these were carried out according to divine instructions.

Duties of the Priests

1. Burnt Offerings: The burnt offering was a voluntary act of worship, symbolizing the worshiper's total dedication to God. The priest would lay the offering on the altar, ensuring it was completely consumed by fire, as a pleasing aroma to the Lord (Leviticus 1:9).

2. Grain Offerings: These offerings, often made of fine flour, oil, and frankincense, were presented as an act of thanksgiving. The priest would burn a portion on the altar and the remainder would be for the priests' consumption (Leviticus 2:2-3).

3. Peace Offerings: Also known as fellowship offerings, these were expressions of gratitude and communion with God. The fat and certain organs were burned on the altar, while the meat was shared between the priests and the offerer (Leviticus 3:3-5).

4. Sin Offerings: These were mandatory offerings for atonement of unintentional sins. The priest would sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice on the altar and burn the fat, while the rest of the animal was disposed of outside the camp (Leviticus 4:5-12).

5. Guilt Offerings: Similar to sin offerings, these were required for specific transgressions, particularly those involving restitution. The priest would make atonement with the blood and fat of the sacrifice, and the offerer would make restitution plus a fifth of the value (Leviticus 5:16).

Priestly Qualifications and Conduct

The priests were required to adhere to strict standards of holiness and purity. They were to be without physical defect, maintain ritual cleanliness, and abstain from certain activities and foods (Leviticus 21). Their conduct was to reflect the sanctity of their office, as they were representatives of God to the people.

The High Priest

The high priest held a unique position within the priesthood, with additional responsibilities, including entering the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement to make atonement for the nation (Leviticus 16:32-34). The high priest wore special garments and bore the Urim and Thummim, tools for discerning God's will (Exodus 28:30).

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the sacrificial system finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is described as the ultimate High Priest and the perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 9:11-14). His once-for-all sacrifice on the cross rendered the Old Testament sacrificial system obsolete, as He provided eternal redemption for all who believe.

The role of priests in offering sacrifices underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of atonement, themes that are foundational to understanding the redemptive work of Christ.Leviticus 1:1-6:30
And the LORD called to Moses, and spoke to him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 29:34
But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: why their brothers the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 35:11
And they killed the passover, and the priests sprinkled the blood from their hands, and the Levites flayed them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus.
... the time of the Vulgate it has been called Leviticus, because it deals with the
services of the ... (a) those for the priests,. ... (a) the blood offering-peace offering ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter iii leviticus.htm

Of the Mass for the Dead.
... denied that in the Mass an offering is made ... therefore, in Judah among the godless
priests a false ... inhered, just as in Israel, Baalitic services continued, and ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 34 of the mass.htm

First Sunday after Epiphany
... sacrifice they were slain, burned, consumed by the priests. ... the New Testament sacrifice
is a wonderful offering. ... is here made between the services rendered God ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/first sunday after epiphany.htm

Hezekiah
... with King Hezekiah and with the priests and Levites ... the dedication of the temple
whose services Hezekiah and ... from heaven to consume the burnt offering and the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 28 hezekiah.htm

What a Sacrifice Is, and what are the Species of Sacrifice.
... of the masses and many other godless services in the ... New Testament there are high
priests and priests, it follows ... Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin. ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 30 what a sacrifice.htm

Epistle Lxv. To the Clergy and People Abiding at Furni, About ...
... arrangement, so that they who waited on divine services might in ... if any one should
do this, no offering should be ... of God in the prayer of the priests, who has ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxv to the clergy.htm

In the Last, the Great Day of the Feast'
... festive morning-service was followed by the offering of the ... of the heathen nations,
the public services closed with ... round the Altar by the Priests, who chanted ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii in the last.htm

part 1
... the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring ... of wine and of oil,
unto the priests, to the ... used in supporting the temple and its services of old ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/tithing/part 1.htm

The Day of Atonement
... in the usual manner of the sin offering, but its ... ceremonial which belonged immediately
to Aaron and the priests. ... the sanctuary by the very services which were ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the day of atonement.htm

The Purification of the virgin and the Presentation in the Temple
... the laity, who daily took part in the services for the ... The whole of the flesh belonged
to the priests, and had ... were laid on the Altar of Burnt-offering; as if ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii the purification of.htm

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