The Tabernacle Priests
The Tabernacle Priests
Initially God had called out the entire nation of Israel to be a nation of priests, which would be His representatives to the world. This was to be accomplished by sanctifying all firstborn males. (Ex. 13:11-13, 22:29, 34:19 and Num 18:15) Exodus 19:5-6 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words, which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. It appears that prior to the golden calf episode Aaron and his sons were selected to minister in the temple as the priests. The firstborn males from the rest of the tribes were to minister to the priests. Exodus 28:1 And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons. The privilege of being a kingdom of priests rested upon their obedience to the covenant. In Exodus 32 we read how this covenant was broken when the nation worshipped the golden calf, thus abolishing their privileged position as a kingdom of priests. It was at this time that the Levites were chosen over the firstborn from the nation. Exodus 32:26 Then Mose stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord's side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. The priests, Aaron's sons, ministered to God and the rest of the Levites ministered to the priests.

Tasks that were performed by the priests:

  • Performing all offerings and sacrifices (Lev 1-7)
  • Preserving the fire on the brazen altar (Lev 6:13)
  • Keeping the menorah burning (Ex 27:20)
  • Burning incense (Ex. 30:7-8)
  • Providing showbread (Lev 24:8)
  • Covering the furniture before the camp moved (Num 4:15)
  • Diagnosing diseases of the nation (Lev 13-15)
  • Administering the law of jealousy (Num 5:11-31)
  • Administering the Nazarite vow (Num 6:13-21)
  • Blowing of the trumpets (Num 10:1-10)
  • Pronouncing blessing (Num 6:24-27)
  • Teaching the Law (Lev10:11; Deut 24:8; 31:9-13 and 33:10)
  • Compounding the holy anointing and sweet incense (Ex 30:22-28)
  • Purifying ceremonially unclean (Lev 15:31)
  • Preparing the water of separation (Num 19)
  • Ascertaining the value of devoted things to be redeemed (Lev 27:8-12)
  • Encouraging the army before battle (Deut 20:2-4)
  • Inquiring of God for the nation (Ex 28:30)
  • Working within the judicial system to ensure that justice would be according to God's laws (Deut 17:8-13; 19:17; 21:1-9)