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[Easton] The Heb. kohen, Gr. hierus, Lat. sacerdos, always denote one who offers sacrifices. At first every man was his own priest, and presented his own sacrifices before God. Afterwards that office devolved on the head of the family, as in the cases of Noah (Gen. 8:20), Abraham (12:7; 13:4), Isaac (26:25), Jacob (31:54), and Job (Job 1:5). The name first occurs as applied to Melchizedek (Gen. 14:18). Under the Levitical arrangements the office of the priesthood was limited to the tribe of Levi, and to only one family of that tribe, the family of Aaron. Certain laws respecting the qualifications of priests are given in Lev. 21:16-23. There are ordinances also regarding the priests’ dress (Ex. 28:40-43) and the manner of their consecration to the office (29:1-37). Their duties were manifold (Ex. 27:20, 21; 29:38-44; Lev. 6:12; 10:11; 24:8; Num. 10:1-10; Deut. 17:8-13; 33:10; Mal. 2:7). They represented the people before God, and offered the various sacrifices prescribed in the law. In the time of David the priests were divided into twenty-four courses or classes (1 Chr. 24:7-18). This number was retained after the Captivity (Ezra 2:36-39; Neh. 7:39-42). “The priests were not distributed over the country, but lived together in certain cities [forty-eight in number, of which six were cities of refuge, q.v.], which had been assigned to their use. From thence they went up by turns to minister in the temple at Jerusalem. Thus the religious instruction of the people in the country generally was left to the heads of families, until the establishment of synagogues, an event which did not take place till the return from the Captivity, and which was the main source of the freedom from idolatry that became as marked a feature of the Jewish people thenceforward as its practice had been hitherto their great national sin.” The whole priestly system of the Jews was typical. It was a shadow of which the body is Christ. The priests all prefigured the great Priest who offered “one sacrifice for sins” “once for all” (Heb. 10:10, 12). There is now no human priesthood. (See Epistle to the Hebrews throughout.) The term “priest” is indeed applied to believers (1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 1:6), but in these cases it implies no sacerdotal functions. All true believers are now “kings and priests unto God.” As priests they have free access into the holiest of all, and offer up the sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving, and the sacrifices of grateful service from day to day. [Smith] The English word is derived from the Greek presbyter, signifying an “elder” (Heb. cohen). Origin.—The idea of a priesthood connects itself in all its forms, pure or corrupted, with the consciousness, more or less distinct of sin. Men feel that they have broken a law. The power above them is holier than they are, and they dare not approach it. They crave for the intervention of some one of whom they can think as likely to be more acceptable than themselves. He must offer up their prayers, thanksgivings, sacrifices. He becomes their representative in “things pertaining unto God.” He may become also (though this does not always follow) the representative of God to man. The functions of the priest and prophet may exist in the same person. No trace of a hereditary or caste priesthood meets us in the worship of the patriarchal age. Once and once only does the word cohen meet us as belonging to a ritual earlier than the time of Abraham. Melchizedek is “the priest of the most high God.” (Genesis 14:18) In the worship of the patriarchs themselves, the chief of the family, as such, acted as the priest. The office descended with the birthright, and might apparently he transferred with it. When established.—The priesthood was first established in the family of Aaron, and all the sons of Aaron were priests. They stood between the high priest on the one hand and the Levites on the other. [HIGH PRIEST; LEVITES] The ceremony of their consecration is described in HIGH PRIEST - 1986 (Exodus 29:1; Leviticus 8:1) ... Dress.—The dress which the priests wore during their ministrations consisted of linen drawers, with a close-fitting cassock, also of linen, white, but with a diamond or chess-board pattern on it. This came nearly to the feet, and was to be worn in its garment shape. Comp. (John 19:23) The white cassock was gathered round the body with a girdle of needle work, in which, as in the more gorgeous belt of the high priest, blue, purple and scarlet were intermingled with white, and worked in the form of flowers. (Exodus 28:39,40; 39:2; Ezekiel 44:17-19) Upon their heads the were to wear caps or bonnets in the form of a cup-shaped flower, also of fine linen. In all their acts of ministration they were to be bare footed. Duties .—The chief duties of the priests were to watch over the fire on the altar of burnt offering, and to keep it burning evermore both by day and night, (Leviticus 6:12; 2 Chronicles 13:11) to feed the golden lamp outside the vail with oil (Exodus 27:20,21; Leviticus 24:2) to offer the morning and evening sacrifices, each accompanied with a meet offering and a drink offering, at the door of the tabernacle. (Exodus 29:38-44) They were also to teach the children of Israel the statutes of the Lord. (Leviticus 10:11; 33:10; 2 Chronicles 15:3; Ezekiel 44:23,24) During the journeys in the wilderness it belonged to them to cover the ark and all the vessels of the sanctuary with a purple or scarlet cloth before the Levites might approach them. (Numbers 4:5-15) As the people started on each days march they were to blow “an alarm” with long silver trumpets. (Numbers 10:1-8) Other instruments of music might be used by the more highly-trained Levites and the schools of the prophets, but the trumpets belonged only to the priests, The presence of the priests on the held of battle, (1 Chronicles 12:23,27; 2 Chronicles 20:21,22) led, in the later periods of Jewish history, to the special appointment at such times of a war priest. Other functions were hinted at in Deuteronomy which might have given them greater influence as the educators and civilizers of the people. They were to act (whether individually or collectively does not distinctly appear) as a court of appeal in the more difficult controversies in criminal or civil cases. (17:8-13) It must remain doubtful however how far this order kept its ground during the storms and changes that followed, Functions such as these were clearly incompatible with the common activities of men. Provision for support .—This consisted— Of one tenth of the tithes which the people paid to the Levites, i.e. one per cent on the whole produce of the country. (Numbers 18:26-28) Of a special tithe every third year. (14:28; 26:12) Of the redemption money, paid at the fixed rate of five shekels a head, for the first-born of man or beast. (Numbers 18:14-19) Of the redemption money paid in like manner for men or things specially dedicated to the Lord. (Leviticus 27:5) Of spoil, captives, cattle and the like, taken in war. (Numbers 31:25-47) Of the shew-bread, the flesh of the burnt offerings, peace offerings, trespass offerings, (Leviticus 6:26,29; 7:6-10; Numbers 18:8-14) and in particular the heave-shoulder and the wave-breast. (Leviticus 10:12-15) Of an undefined amount of the firstfruits of corn, wine and oil. (Exodus 23:19; Leviticus 2:14; 26:1-10) On their settlement in Canaan the priestly families had thirteen cities assigned them, with “suburbs” or pasture-grounds for their flocks. (Joshua 21:13-19) These provisions were obviously intended to secure the religion of Israel against the dangers of a caste of pauper priests, needy and dependent, and unable to bear their witness to the true faith. They were, on the other hand as far as possible removed from the condition of a wealthy order. Coarses .—The priesthood was divided into four and twenty “courses” or orders, (1 Chronicles 24:1-19; 2 Chronicles 23:8; Luke 1:5) each of which was to serve in rotation for one week, while the further assignment of special services during the week was determined by lot. (Luke 1:9) Each course appears to have commenced its work on the Sabbath, the outgoing priests taking the morning sacrifice, and leaving that of the evening to their successors. (2 Chronicles 23:8) Numbers—If we may accept the numbers given by Jewish writers as at all trustworthy, the proportion of the priesthood population of Palestine during the last century of their existence as an order, must have been far greater than that of the clergy has ever been in any Christian nation. Over and above those that were scattered in the country and took their turn there were not fewer than 24,000 stationed permanently at Jerusalem, and 12,000 at Jericho. It was almost inevitable that the great mass of the order, under such circumstances, should sink in character and reputation. The reigns of the two kings David and Solomon were the culminating period of the glory of the Jewish priesthood. It will be interesting to bring together the few facts that indicate the position of the priests in the New Testament period of their history. The number scattered throughout Palestine was, as has been stated, very large. Of these the greater number were poor and ignorant. The priestly order, like the nation, was divided between contending sects. In the scenes of the last tragedy of Jewish history the order passes away without honor, “dying as a fool dieth.” The high priesthood is given to the lowest and vilest of the adherents of the frenzied Zealots. Other priests appear as deserting to the enemy. The destruction of Jerusalem deprived the order at one blow of all but an honorary distinction. [Nave] –BEFORE MOSES .Melchizedek Ge 14:18 ; Heb 5:6 , 10 , 11 ; 6:20 ; 7:1-21 .Jethro Ex 2:16 .Priests in Israel before the giving of the law Ex 19:22 , 24 .Called “angel,” Ec 5:6 –THE TIME OF MOSES Ex 28:1-4 ; 29:9 , 44 ; Nu 3:10 ; 18:7 ; 1Ch 23:13 .Hereditary, descent of office Ex 27:21 ; 28:43 ; 29:9 .Consecration of Ex 29:1-9 , 19-35 ; 40:12-16 ; Le 6:20-23 ; 8:6-35 ; Heb 7:21 .Is holy Le 21:6 , 7 ; 22:9 , 16 .Ablutions of Ex 40:30-32 ; Le 16:24 .See CONSECRATION OF, above .Must be without blemish Le 21:17-23 .Vestments of Ex 28:2-43 ; 39:1-29 ; Le 6:10 , 11 ; 8:13 ; Eze 44:17-19 .Don vestments in the temple area Eze 42:14 ; 44:19 .Atonement for Le 16:6 , 24 ; Eze 44:27 .Defilement and purification of Eze 44:25 , 26 .Marriage of Le 21:7-15 ; Eze 44:22 .Chambers for, in the temple area Eze 40:45 , 46 .Exempt from tax Ezr 7:24 .Armed and organized for war at the time of the disaffection toward Saul 1Ch 12:27 , 28 .Beard and hair of Eze 44:20 .Twenty-four divisions (shifts) of 1Ch 24:1-19 ; 28:13 , 21 ; 2Ch 8:14 ; 31:2 ; 35:4 , 5 ; Ezr 2:36-39 ; Ne 13:30 .Chosen by lot Lu 1:8 , 9 , 23 .Usurpations of office of Nu 3:10 ; 16 ; 18:7 ; 2Ch 26:18 .Priests who were not from the sons of Levi were appointed by Jeroboam 1Ki 12:31 ; 13:33 .See LEVITES .See MINISTERS –DUTIES OF .To offer sacrifices Le 1:4-17 ; 2:2 , 16 ; 3:5 , 11 , 13 , 16 ; 4:5-12 , 17 , 25 , 26 , 30-35 ; 1Ch 16:40 ; 2Ch 13:11 ; 29:34 ; 35:11-14 ; Ezr 6:20 ; Heb 10:11 .See OFFERINGS .To offer the firstfruits Le 23:10 , 11 ; De 26:3 , 4 .Pronounce benedictions Nu 6:22-27 ; De 21:5 ; 2Ch 30:27 .Teach the law Le 10:11 ; De 24:8 ; 27:14 ; 31:9-13 ; 33:10 ; Jer 2:8 ; Mal 2:7 .Light the lamps in the tabernacle Ex 27:20 , 21 ; 2Ch 13:11 ; Le 24:3 , 4 .Keep the sacred fire always burning Le 6:12 , 13 .To furnish a quota of wood for the sanctuary Ne 10:34 .Responsible for the sanctuary Nu 4:5-15 ; 18:1 , 5 , 7 .To act as scribes Ezr 7:1-6 ; Ne 8:9 .Be present at and supervise the tithing Ne 10:38 .Sound the trumpet in summoning assemblies and in battle Nu 10:2-10 ; 31:6 ; Jos 6 ; 2Ch 13:12 .Examine lepers .See LEPROSY .Purify the unclean Le 15:31 .See DEFILEMENT .Valuate things devoted Le 27:8 , 12 .Officiate in the Holy Place Heb 9:6 .Chiefs of Levites Nu 3:9 , 32 ; 4:19 , 28 , 33 ; 1Ch 9:20 .To act as magistrates Nu 5:14-31 ; De 17:8-13 ; 19:17 ; 21:5 ; 2Ch 19:8 ; Eze 44:23 , 24 .To encourage the army on the eve of battle De 20:2-4 .Carry the ark of the covenant .Through the Jordan River Jos 3 ; 4:15-18 .In battle 1Sa 4:3-5 –BENEFITS OF .No part of the land of Canaan allowed to Nu 18:20 ; De 10:9 ; 14:27 ; 18:1 , 2 ; Jos 13:14 , 33 ; 14:3 ; 18:7 ; Eze 44:28 .Provided with cities and suburbs Le 25:32-34 ; Nu 35:2-8 ; Jos 21:1-4 , 13-19 , 41 , 42 ; 1Ch 6:57-60 ; Ne 11:11 , 20 ; Eze 45:1-6 ; 48:8-20 .Own lands sanctified to the Lord Le 27:21 .Tithes of the tithes Nu 18:8-18 , 26-32 ; Ne 10:38 .Part of the plunder of war, including captives Nu 31:25-29 .Firstfruits Le 23:20 ; 24:9 ; Nu 18:12 , 13 , 17 , 18 ; De 18:3-5 ; Ne 10:36 .Redemption money Le 27:23 .Of the firstborn Nu 3:46-51 ; 18:15 , 16 .Things devoted Le 27:21 ; Nu 5:9 , 10 ; 18:14 .Fines Le 5:16 ; 22:14 ; Nu 5:8 .Trespass money and other trepass offerings Le 5:15 , 18 ; Nu 18:9 ; 2Ki 12:16 .The shewbread Ex 25:30 ; Le 24:5-9 ; 2Ch 2:4 ; 13:11 ; Ne 10:33 ; Mt 12:4 ; Heb 9:2 .Portions of sacrifices and offerings Ex 29:27-34 ; Le 2:2 , 3 , 9 , 10 ; 5:12 , 13 , 16 ; 6:15-18 , 26 ; 7:6-10 , 31-34 ; 10:12-14 ; 14:12 , 13 ; Nu 6:19 , 20 ; 18:8-19 ; De 18:3-5 ; 1Sa 2:13 , 14 ; Eze 44:28-31 ; 45:1-4 ; 1Co 9:13 .Regulations by Hezekiah concerning benefits to the priests 2Ch 31:4-19 .Portion of land allotted to, in redistribution in Ezekiel’ s vision Eze 48:8-14 .For the sustenance of their families Le 22:11-13 ; Nu 18:11 , 19 –FIGURATIVE Ex 19:6 ; Isa 61:6 ; 1Pe 2:9 ; Re 1:6 ; 5:10 ; 20:6 –HIGH PRIEST –(Moses did not denominate Aaron chief or high priest) –(The function he served was superior to that of other priests) .The title appears after the institution of the office Le 21:10-15 ; Nu 3:32 .For qualifications, consecration, etc .See under the general topic above, PRIEST, MOSAIC INSTITUTION OF .Vestments of Ex 28:2-43 ; 39:1-31 ; Le 8:7-9 .Respect due to Ac 23:5 .DUTIES OF .Had charge of the sanctuary and altar Nu 18:2 , 5 , 7 .To offer sacrifices Heb 5:1 ; 8:3 .To designate subordinate priests for duty Nu 4:19 ; 1Sa 2:36 .To officiate in consecrations of Levites Nu 8:11-21 .To have charge of the treasury 2Ki 12:10 ; 22:4 ; 2Ch 24:6-14 ; 34:9 .To light the lamps of the tabernacle Ex 27:20 , 21 ; 30:8 ; Le 24:3 , 4 ; Nu 8:3 .To burn incense Ex 30:7 , 8 ; 1Sa 2:28 ; 1Ch 23:13 .To place shewbread on the table every Sabbath Le 24:8 .To offer for his own sins of ignorance Le 4:3-12 .On the Day of Atonement Ex 30:10 ; Le 16 ; Heb 5:3 ; 9:7 , 22 , 23 .Judicial Nu 5:15 ; De 17:8-13 ; 1Sa 4:18 ; Ho 4:4 ; Mt 26:3 , 50 , 57 , 62 ; Ac 5:21-28 ; 23:1-5 .To count the people Nu 1:3 .Officiate at the choice of a ruler Nu 27:18 , 19 , 21 .Distribute the plunder of war Nu 31:26-29 .Benefits of .See PRIEST, BENEFITS OF, above .A second priest, under the high priest Nu 3:32 ; 4:16 ; 31:6 ; 1Ch 9:20 ; 2Sa 15:24 ; 2Ki 25:18 ; Lu 3:2 –MISCELLANEOUS FACTS CONCERNING .Loyal to Rehoboam at the time of the revolt of the ten tribes 2Ch 11:13 .Zeal of, in purging the temple 2Ch 29:4-17 .Wickedness of 2Ch 36:14 .Taken with the captivity to Babylon Jer 29:1 .Return from the captivity Ezr 1:5 ; 2:36-39 , 61 , 70 ; 3:8 ; 7:7 ; 8:24-30 ; Ne 7:39-42 , 63-73 ; 10:1-8 ; 12:1-7 .Polluted by marrying idolatrous wives Ezr 9:1 , 2 ; 10:5 , 18 , 19 ; Ne 10:28 .Restore the altar, and offer sacrifices Ezr 3:1-7 .Supervise the building of the new temple Ezr 3:8-13 .Inquire of John the Baptist to see if he might be the Messiah Joh 1:19 .Conspire to destroy Jesus Mt 26:3-5 , 14 , 15 , 47 , 51 ; Mr 14:10 , 11 , 43-47 , 53-66 ; 15:1 ; Lu 22:2-6 , 50 , 54 , 66-71 ; 23:1 , 2 ; Joh 11:47 ; 19:15 , 16 , 18 .Put on trial and condemn Jesus Mt 26:57-68 ; 27:1 , 2 ; Mr 14:53-65 ; Lu 22:54-71 ; 23:13-24 ; Joh 18:15-32 .Incite the people to ask that Barabbas be released and Jesus be destroyed Mt 27:20 ; Mr 15:11 ; Lu 23:18 .Persecute the disciples Ac 22:5 .Reprove and threaten Peter and John Ac 4:6-21 ; 5:17-41 .Put on trial, condemn, and stone Stephen Ac 6:12-15 ; 7 .Paul brought before Ac 22:30 ; 23:1-5 .Corrupt Jer 23:11 , 12 ; Eze 22:26 ; Lu 10:31 .Instances of .Eli’ s sons 1Sa 2:12-17 , 22 .Of the captivity Ezr 9:1 , 2 ; 10:18-22 ; Ne 13:4-9 , 13 , 28 , 29 .Zealous 1Ch 9:10-13 .Priestly office performed by prophets 1Sa 16:5