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What is a Priest?
        PRIEST
        (contracted from presbyter, "elder") is the general name for ministers of religion in all ages and countries. In the sacred Scriptures it denotes one who offers sacrifice. Previous to the Mosaic dispensation the offering of sacrifices pertained to private individuals. Fathers were the priests of their own families, though perhaps a more general priestly office existed, such as that exercised by Melchizedek. The patriarchs, Noah, Abraham, etc. themselves officiated as priests of their households. Gen 8:20; Neh 12:8, and it seems that the priestly dignity descended in the family by birthright to the first-born. As, at the first institution of the Passover, the head of each family was ordered to kill the paschal-lamb it is probable that the household priesthood still prevailed at that time. But when the dispensation by Moses was given, a particular order of men was appointed to that special service, Ex 28, with very solemn and imposing ceremonies; and from that time the offering of sacrifices was chiefly restricted to those who were duly invested with the priestly office. 2 Chr 26:18. All the male descendants of Aaron were priests by birthright, and the first-born, in regular succession, inducted into the office of high priest. Certain blemishes, however, specified in Lev 21:16-24, disqualified a man, not for the order, but for performing the functions of the office; and after having been consecrated and entering on the duties of his office, his life lay under a stricter rule than that of the Levite or the layman. As the priesthood was confined to the family of Aaron, the number of priests was at first very small, Josh 3:6; Am 6:4, but in the time of David it had greatly increased; 8700 priests joined him at Hebron. 1 Chr 12:27. He divided them into twenty-four courses - sixteen of the family of Eleazar, and eight of the family of Ithamar; and, as these courses officiated in regular succession, changing every Sabbath, 2 Chr 23:8, each course would be in attendance at the sanctuary at least twice a year. During the period of the Captivity this division into courses seems to have fallen into some confusion. Among the 4289 priests who accompanied Zerubbabel, only four courses were represented, Ezr 2:36-39; Neh 7:39-42, and courses are afterward mentioned which cannot be identified with any of the original ones. A Priest. The chief duty of the priests was to prepare and offer the daily, weekly, and monthly sacrifices, and such as were brought by individuals at the great annual festivals or at especial occasions. But generally they conducted the public service, officiated at purifications, took care of the holy vessels, of the sacred fire and the golden lamp, of all the furniture of the sanctuary. In war they sounded the holy trumpets and carried the ark of the covenant. In peace they Courses of Priests.s (From Ayre's Treasury of Bible Knowledge.) Post-Exilian Courses, which cannot be identified with original ones. ministered as judges at the trial of jealousy, at the estimation of the redemption-money for a vow, etc. They kept a kind of superintendence over the lepers, and, finally, they expounded the Law to the people. It appears, however, from 2 Chr 17:7-10; 2 Chr 19:8-10; Eze 44:24, etc. that the priests often neglected the judicial and teaching functions of their office. The consecration of a priest took place with great solemnity. The ceremonies, which were minutely prescribed by Moses, Ex 29:1-37; Lev 8-9, lasted for seven days, and consisted in sacrifices, washings, the putting on of the holy garments, the sprinkling of blood and anointing with oil. The garments of the priest consisted of a white linen tunic, reaching from the neck to the ankles, with tight sleeves, and held together around the waist with a linen girdle embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet. On the head he wore a kind of tiara, formed by the foldings of a linen cloth, and of a round, turban-like shape. His feet were probably naked. After entering on the duties of his office he was not allowed to mourn or defile himself at the death of any, with the exception of his nearest relatives, or to practice those cuttings and shavings which were common among the people, or to marry a divorced woman, etc.; as his office was to approach the Lord on behalf of the people, his duty was to remain pure within and clean without. For the maintenance of the priests thirteen cities with pasture-grounds, situated in the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin, were set aside when the people settled in Canaan. Josh 21:13-19. To these were added one-tenth of the tithes paid to the Levites, Num 18:26-28; a special tithe every third year. Deut 14:28; Deut 26:12; the redemption-money paid for the first-born of man and beast, Num 18:14-19, and for men or things specially dedicated to the Lord, Lev 27; the first-fruits of corn, wine, and oil, Ex 23:19; Lev 2:14; Deut 26:1-10; a part of the spoil taken in war. Num 31:25-47; and finally, when they were officiating, the shew-bread and the flesh of the burnt-offerings, peace-offerings, and trespass-offerings. Num 18:8-14; Lev 6:26-29; Lev 7:6-10. These provisions, large though they seem to be, were nevertheless by no means sufficient to maintain the priestly order with that independence and dignity which was not only becoming, but necessary. On the contrary, under the kings many priests fell into abject poverty. 1 Sam 2:36.


Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'priest' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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