In the Old Testament, the system of sacrifices was central to the religious life of Israel, serving as a means of atonement, worship, and fellowship with God. The Levitical priests, who were set apart to serve in the tabernacle and later in the temple, played a crucial role in the sacrificial system. As part of their service, they were entitled to a portion of certain sacrifices, which provided for their sustenance and livelihood.

Biblical Foundation

The priestly portion of the sacrifices is established in the Mosaic Law. In Leviticus 7:6-10 , it is stated: "Every male among the priests may eat it. It must be eaten in a holy place; it is most holy. The guilt offering is like the sin offering; the same law applies to both. It belongs to the priest who makes atonement with it. As for the priest who presents a burnt offering for anyone, the hide of the burnt offering he has presented belongs to him. Likewise, every grain offering, whether baked in an oven or prepared in a pan or on a griddle, belongs to the priest who presents it, and it is his. And every grain offering, whether mixed with oil or dry, belongs equally to all the sons of Aaron."

This passage outlines the specific portions of various offerings that were designated for the priests. The priests received the hide of the burnt offering, portions of the grain offerings, and parts of the sin and guilt offerings. These provisions were not merely a form of compensation but were considered holy, as they were derived from offerings made to the Lord.

Sustenance and Livelihood

The priestly portion of the sacrifices was essential for the sustenance of the priestly families, as the tribe of Levi did not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes of Israel. Instead, their inheritance was the Lord Himself and the offerings made by the people. Numbers 18:20-21 states: "The LORD said to Aaron, 'You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites. Behold, I have given to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the work of the Tent of Meeting.'"

The priests and Levites were supported by the tithes and offerings of the people, which included portions of the sacrifices. This system ensured that those who ministered before the Lord were provided for, allowing them to focus on their sacred duties without the distraction of securing their own sustenance.

Types of Sacrifices and Portions

1. Burnt Offerings: While the entire animal was consumed on the altar, the hide was given to the priest (Leviticus 7:8).

2. Grain Offerings: A memorial portion was burned on the altar, and the remainder belonged to the priests (Leviticus 2:3, 10).

3. Sin and Guilt Offerings: Portions of the meat were given to the priests, except in cases where the offering was for the high priest or the congregation, in which case the entire offering was burned outside the camp (Leviticus 6:25-26, 7:6-7).

4. Peace Offerings: The breast and right thigh were given to the priests, while the rest was shared between the offerer and the altar (Leviticus 7:31-34).

Spiritual Significance

The provision of sacrificial portions to the priests underscores the principle that those who serve at the altar share in the offerings of the altar. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 : "Do you not know that those who serve in the temple eat of the temple’s food, and those who serve at the altar partake of the altar’s offerings? In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel."

The sacrificial system, with its provision for the priests, highlights the interdependence of worship, service, and community within the covenant relationship between God and His people. The priests, as mediators, facilitated the people's worship and atonement, while the people, through their offerings, supported the priests' ministry.Exodus 29:27,28
And you shall sanctify the breast of the wave offering, and the shoulder of the heave offering, which is waved, and which is heaved up, of the ram of the consecration, even of that which is for Aaron, and of that which is for his sons:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 18:3
And this shall be the priest's due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep; and they shall give to the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joshua 13:14
Only to the tribes of Levi he gave none inheritance; the sacrifices of the LORD God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as he said to them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 9:13
Do you not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Several Laws.
... He ordered that the priest who had any blemish, should have his portion indeed among
the priests, but he ... [26] Moreover, they offer sacrifices that are ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 several laws.htm

That when David had Conquered the Philistines who Made War against ...
... the ark to his own house; the priests carrying it ... had pitched for it, and he offered
costly sacrifices and peace ... in his old age, and when he had lived a long life ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 that when david.htm

A New Order of Priests and Levites
... But priests and Levites had two works to ... They were engaged to do something towards
God for men, and so they offered the sacrifices that were brought to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/a new order of priests.htm

Entire Sanctification in Patriarchal Times.
... and violence, that even then God had His witnesses ... If we are priests, we must perform
the functions of ... Certainly, not any expiatory or meritorious sacrifices. ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter iii entire sanctification in.htm

Ancestors of the Blessed virgin
... 23] There were several others assembled there to make sacrifices, and it was here
that Joachim had to bear ... I saw that one of the priests, Reuben [24] by name ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/i ancestors of the blessed.htm

Of the Number and Character of the Deeds done by Pagans against ...
... the air with the smoke of their burnt sacrifices. ... from admiring his constancy, for
his words had taught them ... [607] Corybantes, the name of the priests of Cybele ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter iii of the number and.htm

Controversy
... went out in pity to the honest scribe who had dared to face the frowns of the priests
and the ... as more acceptable to God than burnt offerings and sacrifices. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 66 controversy.htm

John xi. 49, 50
... And the High Priests and Pharisees ... are forced to do so, they feel as though they
had done something ... kind of altars it hath, what kind of sacrifices it receiveth ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxv john xi 49.htm

The Burnt Offering a Picture and a Prophecy
... stands by with bloody hands while the priests arrange the ... hands had laid the burden
that had weighed so ... far the prophetic aspect of the sacrifices was discerned ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the burnt offering a picture.htm

The Pioneer's Influence Upon a Nation's Ideals.
... the prophets preserve the story of the sacrifices of Isaac? ... With him the later priests
associated the origin of ... captured spoil to the city that had been robbed ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study v the pioneers influence.htm

Is the priesthood of all believers biblical? | GotQuestions.org

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