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3. The Aaronic Priesthood

                                  Levi 
                                    |
           ,------------------------,---------------------,
         Gershon                  Kohath                Merari                   
                                    |
                     ,--------------------------------,--------,---------,
                   Amram                            Izhar     Hebron   Uzziel
                     |
                     ,----------------,---------------,
                   AARON            Miriam         Moses
                     |
           The Aaronic Priesthood    
       ,--------,----,-------------------------,
      Nadab  Ibihu ELEAZAR                  Ithamar        
                     |                         |         
                  PHINEHAZ                     |
                     |                         |         
                   ABISHA                      |
                     |                         |
                    Bukki                     ELI    
                    Uzzi             Hophn  PHINEHAS    
                   Zerahiah                  Ihitub    Ichabod                  
                   Meraioth                    |                                  
                   Amariah                   AHIJAH    
                    Ahitub                  AHIMELECH    
                    ZADOK                   ABIATHAR    
  

The Bible tells us many important facts about the Levitical Priesthood. We'll mention a few:

Direct descendant of Aaron

To be a priest, one had to be a direct descendant of Aaron (Leviticus 1:5-11). It was not enough to be of the tribe of Levi. For example, even Aaron's brother Moses was not a priest. Moses was a Prophet and Judge, but not a priest. Only direct descendants of Aaron could be priests.

Genealogical Records

Subsequent generations of priests had to trace their ancestry back to Aaron. Special genealogical records were kept by Israel for this purpose (2 Chronicles 31:17). Not being able to trace one's ancestry back to Aaron meant being excluded from the priesthood.

Ezra 2:

61: And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name: 62: These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.

Blood Sacrifices

In the worship of the Most High, only the Aaronic Priests were allowed to organize animal sacrifices and splash the blood on the altar. Any other person who presumed to do so would be cut off from the congregation of Israel. The following texts spell out this warning:

Leviticus 17:

1: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2: Speak unto Aaron, and unto his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them; This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, saying, 3: What man soever there be of the house of Israel, that killeth an ox, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or that killeth it out of the camp, 4: And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer an offering unto the LORD before the tabernacle of the LORD; blood shall be imputed unto that man; he hath shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people: 5: To the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they offer in the open field, even that they may bring them unto the LORD, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest, and offer them for peace offerings unto the LORD. 6: And the priest shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar of the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and burn the fat for a sweet savour unto the LORD. 7: And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations. 8: And thou shalt say unto them, Whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers which sojourn among you, that offereth a burnt offering or sacrifice, 9: And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer it unto the LORD; even that man shall be cut off from among his people.

Take Warning!

• With no Temple in Jerusalem
• With no Aaronic Priesthood

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