Levitical Priesthood
The Levitical Priesthood derives its name from one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The priesthood was made up of the decendants of Levi, one of the twelve sons of Jacob whose name was changed to Israel by Yahweh. The tribe of Levi was sanctified from the rest of the congregation of Israel to minister unto Yahweh, the people, and the tabernacle of the congregation.
Contents
High Priest
The first appointed High Priest of the Levitical Priesthood was Aaron, the older brother of Moses.
Garments on the Day of Atonement
Golden Mitre
Onyx Stones
Breastplate
Urim and Thummin
"The Urim and Thummim were in the pocket of the breastplate, resting over the heart of the high priest when he went before the Lord. The term Urim is mentioned seven times in the Old Testament, and Thummim is mentioned five times (Ex. 28:30; Lev. 8:8; Num. 27:21; Dt. 33:8; 1 Sam 28:6; Ezra 2:63; Neh. 7:65). Urim means lights, and Thummim means perfections; both were used in seeking divine counsel and guidance from the Lord (Num. 27:21)."
THE TABERNACLE: SHADOWS OF THE MESSIAH by David M. Levy (ISBN: 0-915540-17-7)
Additional References:
Girdle
Ephod
Robe
Bells and Pomegranates
Linen Tunic
Low Priests
Two sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, were the first low priests to function in the tabernacle of the congregation. They were to attend to the daily sacrifices and were a help to the High Priest. However, there were some functions that the Low Priests were not permitted to perform (see Day of Atonement).
Levites
- Numbers 3:5 "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him. And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle. And they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle."
Tabernacle of Witness
When Yahweh introduced himself to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3), he instructed Moses to come down into Egypt and tell Pharoah to let the Israelites go three days journey to Mount Sinai to serve Him at that mountain. After the judgement of Egypt by the ten devastating plagues, the Exodus of Israel took place and three months later they arrived at the Sinai Mountain. Moses was later commanded to go into the mount and during his first 40 days and 40 nights in Mt. Sinai, he received a vision of the seven days of creation and instruction for thirty-three days of the pattern (structure and function) of the tabernacle that the Children of Israel were to build.
- Exodus 15:17 "Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O Yahweh, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Yahweh, which thy hands have established."
- Exodus 25:8-9 "And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it."
