Priesthood (ancient Israel) facts for kids
The priesthood of ancient Israel refers to a special group of men in ancient Israel. According to the Hebrew Bible, these men were direct male descendants of Aaron, who was the older brother of Moses. They belonged to the tribe of Levi. These priests served important roles in the Tabernacle, which was like a portable temple, and later in the grand Solomon's Temple and the Second Temple in Jerusalem. They continued their service until Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 CE. One of their main duties was performing animal sacrifices. Today, many Jewish families known as Kohanim (Hebrew for priests) are believed to be descendants of these ancient priests.
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Who Were the Priests in the Bible?
The Bible mentions priests even before the Israelite priesthood began. For example, Melchizedek was a priest of "the Most High God" during the time of Abraham. Another priest named Potipherah served a different god in ancient Egypt. His daughter, Asenath, married Joseph, a famous figure from the Bible. Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, was also a priest from the land of Midian.
The special priesthood for the Israelites started with Aaron and his family. The Bible says in Exodus 40:15 that Aaron and his sons were chosen to serve as priests forever. Among these priests, one was chosen to be the High Priest. This person had unique duties, like being the only one allowed to enter the Holy of Holies (the most sacred part of the Temple) once a year on the Day of Atonement. The priesthood was connected to the tribe of Levi, which was Aaron's tribe.
What Did Priests Do?
The Israelite priests had many important jobs related to religious ceremonies. They performed various offerings and rituals described in the Law of Moses. These included:
- Burnt offerings: Where an animal was completely burned on an altar.
- Meal offerings: Gifts of grain or flour.
- Sin offerings: Made to ask for forgiveness for sins.
- Peace offerings: Given to show thanks or to make a vow.
They also took part in other rituals, such as:
- Giving the priestly blessing to the people.
- Preparing the red heifer for purification rituals.
- Helping with the redemption of the firstborn (a ceremony for the first child).
- Guiding people through various purification rituals.
These duties happened throughout the religious year, following a special calendar.
What Did Priests Wear?
The Bible, especially in the Book of Leviticus, describes the special clothes worn by the priests and the High Priest in great detail. These garments were very specific and had symbolic meanings.
For the High Priest, the clothes included:
- A priestly tunic (a long shirt).
- Linen undergarments for modesty.
- A sash (a decorative belt).
- A priestly robe worn over the tunic.
- A priestly turban for his head.
- An ephod, which was like a special apron, often with two stones called Urim and Thummim used for guidance.
- A priestly breastplate with 12 precious stones. Each stone represented one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
The regular priests also had specific garments, though less elaborate than the High Priest's. Priests served in rotating groups, taking turns to perform their duties in the Temple.
How Do We Study Ancient Priesthood?
Historians and scholars who study the Bible often look at the priesthood in ancient Israel in different ways. One famous idea comes from a scholar named Julius Wellhausen. He suggested that the history of Israelite priests changed over three main stages:
- First, there were priests who were not from the tribe of Levi.
- Then, priests came from the Levitical tribe.
- Finally, there was a distinction between the Aaronids (direct descendants of Aaron) and other Levites, with Aaronids having the highest priestly roles.
However, these ideas are based on certain assumptions that are still debated by scholars. The study of ancient Israel's religious practices and priesthood is an ongoing field, and researchers are always learning new things.
