The Priestly Code
A large percentage of the Old Testament consists of legal stipulations, traditions and explanations. The bulk of this material is found in four major sections: the Covenant Code (Exodus 20: 22-23:33), the Deuteronomic Code(Deut 12-26), the Holiness Code(Lev 17-26), and the Priestly Code(Exodus 25-31, 34:29, Lev 16 and parts of Num). These sections appear in the first five books of the Bible, called the Pentateuch. The Pentateuch is the result of a careful and complex joining of several historical sources. These sources are divided into four parts: Yahwist, Elohist, Priestly and Deuteronomic (abbreviated as J, E, D and P). Each source brings to the Pentateuch its own characteristics, and its own viewpoint. Let us focus on the priestly tradition, P, which reveals in its Priestly Code interest and concern for direction for the Priesthood in the conduct of worship and the regulation of social life. The Pentateuch reformation took place in the fifth century B.C., after the Babylonian exile. The key event is when Nehemiah organized a gathering that listened to his colleague, Ezra, read from a sacred book. This sacred book was The Priestly Code, which was written around 450 B.C.E. The Priestly Code is t
Sacrifices are also addressed in Exodus. In order for the priests to be consecrated they must make sacrifices. Sacrifices include the slaying of a young bull, two rams, and a lamb. From these animals, priests use their flesh, blood, fat, and oil in rituals. Chapters 21-22 of Leviticus contain methods the priests used to maintain their purity. According to the Priestly Code, priests were divided into three categories. It was divided into the High Priests, the Priests and the Levites each of which was distinguished by different functions, privileges and consecrations. Priestly garments are described in full detail in Chapter 28 of Exodus. Here we learn God wishes Aaron and his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazer and Ithamar to be his priests. The sacred vestment is to have a breast piece, an ephod, a robe, a brocaded tunic, a miter and a sash. Each piece has its specific instructions of materials used to make it. Gold, violet, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen were included in each piece. On the breast piece four rows of three precious stones are mounted to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. Each time Aaron enters the sanctuary, he is to "bear the names of the sons of Israel on the breast piece of decision over his heart as a constant reminder before the Lord"(Exodus 28:29).
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Approximate Word count = 1664
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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