15: Sacrificial System and Priesthood

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1. Terms:

  • Korban (קָרְבָּן) — Sacrifice, offering
  • Kohen (כֹּהֵן) — Priest

2. Historical-Cultural Context:

  • The sacrificial system was central to Israel’s worship and covenant relationship with God.
  • Sacrifices served various purposes: atonement, thanksgiving, and covenant renewal.
  • The priesthood, especially the descendants of Aaron, functioned as mediators between God and the people.
  • Ritual purity, temple regulations, and priestly duties structured religious life.
  • The system was shaped within the broader Ancient Near Eastern sacrificial context but uniquely tied to Yahweh worship.

3. Literary Examples:

  • Leviticus details sacrificial laws and priestly regulations.
  • Numbers 16 recounts priestly challenges and divine authority.
  • New Testament reinterprets priesthood and sacrifice in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

4. Cultural Significance:

  • Sacrifices and priesthood underscored holiness, atonement, and divine-human interaction.
  • Priestly roles reinforced social order and religious identity.
  • Understanding this background is essential for interpreting biblical worship and Christ’s fulfillment of these roles.
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