In the biblical context, sacrifices were a central element of worship and atonement, and the priests were divinely appointed to perform these sacred duties. The role of the priesthood in offering sacrifices is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where God established a system of worship that required the mediation of priests to maintain the covenant relationship between God and His people.

The Establishment of the Priesthood

The priesthood was instituted by God through Moses, with Aaron and his sons being set apart for this holy service. In Exodus 28:1, God commands Moses, "Bring near to you your brother Aaron and his sons with him, from among the Israelites, to serve Me as priests—Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar." This divine appointment underscores the sacred nature of their duties, which included offering sacrifices on behalf of the people.

Duties of the Priests

The primary responsibility of the priests was to offer sacrifices as prescribed in the Law. Leviticus 1-7 details various offerings, including burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings. Each type of sacrifice had specific instructions, and the priests were responsible for ensuring these were followed meticulously. Leviticus 6:9-13, for example, provides instructions for the burnt offering, emphasizing the priest's role in maintaining the altar fire and handling the sacrificial elements.

Mediation and Atonement

The priests acted as mediators between God and the Israelites. Their role in offering sacrifices was crucial for atonement and reconciliation. Leviticus 16 describes the Day of Atonement, a significant event where the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sins of the nation. Leviticus 16:32-34 states, "The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest is to make atonement. He is to put on the sacred linen garments and make atonement for the Holy of Holies, the Tent of Meeting, and the altar, as well as for the priests and all the people of the assembly."

Holiness and Consecration

The priests were required to maintain a high standard of holiness and purity, as they were serving in the presence of a holy God. Leviticus 21 outlines the regulations for priestly conduct, emphasizing their need to be set apart. The consecration of the priests, as described in Leviticus 8, involved rituals that symbolized their purification and dedication to God's service.

The Priestly Lineage and Continuity

The priesthood was hereditary, passed down through the line of Aaron. This continuity ensured that the sacrificial system remained intact and that the people had a consistent means of approaching God. Numbers 18:1-7 reiterates the responsibilities and privileges of the priestly family, highlighting their exclusive role in handling the sacred offerings.

The New Testament Perspective

While the New Testament introduces Jesus Christ as the ultimate High Priest and the perfect sacrifice, the role of the Old Testament priests in offering sacrifices remains a foundational element of understanding the sacrificial system. Hebrews 5:1-4 reflects on the qualifications and duties of the high priest, drawing parallels to Christ's superior priesthood.

In summary, the priests were divinely appointed to offer sacrifices, serving as essential mediators in the covenant relationship between God and His people. Their role was characterized by strict adherence to God's commands, a commitment to holiness, and a dedication to the sacred duties entrusted to them.1 Samuel 2:28
And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer on my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give to the house of your father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 44:11,15
Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary, having charge at the gates of the house, and ministering to the house: they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister to them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 5:1
For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 8:3
For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: why it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Manner of Our Offering Sacrifices.
... Other sacrifices there are also appointed for escaping ... sacrificed; of which it is
not lawful to leave any part till the next day, only the priests are to ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 the manner of.htm

Whether Oblations are Due to Priests Alone?
... I answer that, The priest is appointed mediator and stands ... that he may offer up gifts
and sacrifices for sins ... people offer to God concern the priests, not only ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether oblations are due to.htm

On the Sacrifice of the Mass
... the family offered sacrifice"as Noe did when he came out of the Ark"but after God
gave His laws to Moses He appointed priests to offer up the sacrifices. ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 24 on the sacrifice.htm

Christ Our High Priest.
... could no longer build their own altars and offer their own sacrifices. On the contrary,
they had all to bring their offering to the priests appointed of the ...
/.../xi christ our high priest.htm

What Happened to the Hebrews During Thirty-Eight Years in the ...
... of the ground; and that they should offer the first-born of those four-footed beasts
that are appointed for sacrifices, if it be a male, to the priests, to be ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 what happened to.htm

How Cyrus, King of the Persians, Delivered the Jews Out Of
... spoken thus to him in a secret vision: "My will is, that Cyrus, whom I have appointed
to be ... The priests shall also offer these sacrifices according to ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how cyrus king.htm

The Young Josiah and the Book of the Law
... He also put away the idolatrous priests, whom the rulers of Judah had appointed
to offer ... places about Jerusalem; those also who offered sacrifices to Baal ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the young josiah and the.htm

All the Apostles Urge the Observance of the Order of the Church.
... things, and the neglect about the sacrifices and eucharistical ... things were allotted
to the priests, the Levites ... which were written down and appointed for them. ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec v all the apostles urge.htm

Of the Gods and Sacred Rites of the Barbarians.
... taunts; and afterwards having been himself appointed priest, it ... ordained that he
himself, and other priests after him, should celebrate sacrifices with the ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxiii of the gods and.htm

Of the Priesthood of Aaron.
... sacred offices in my discourse about sacrifices; and therein ... with spring waters and
ointment, they became God's priests. ... on the eighth day he appointed a feast ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 of the priesthood.htm

How was Jesus' sacrifice better than the Levitical sacrifices? | GotQuestions.org

If the Jewish people do not offer animal sacrifices, how do they believe they can receive forgiveness from God? | GotQuestions.org

How do we bring blemished offerings to God (Malachi 1:8)? | GotQuestions.org

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