Priestly divisions

Priestly divisions

The priestly divisions or sacerdotal courses are ritual work groups in Judaism originally formed during the reign of King David in the 10th century BCE as documented in the biblical passage of 1 Chronicles 24. These priests were all descendants of Aaron, known today as Kohen or Aaronites. Aaron had four sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. However, Nadab and Abihu died before Aaron and only Eleazar and Ithamar had sons. One priest, Zadok, from Eleazar's descendants and another priest, Ahimelech, from Ithamar's descendants, were designated by King David to help create the various priestly work groups. Sixteen of Eleazar's descendants were selected to head priestly orders while only eight of Ithamar's descendants were so chosen. The passage states that this was done because of the greater number of leaders among Eleazar's descendants. Lots were drawn to designate the order of ministering for the heads of the priestly orders when they entered the temple. Each order was responsible for ministering during a different week and shabbat, and were stationed as a watch at the Tabernacle. All of the orders were present during biblical festivals. See also Kohen. Their duties involved offering the daily and Jewish holiday sacrifices, collectively known as the korbanot in Hebrew, and blessing the people in a ceremony known as Nesiat Kapayim ("raising of the hands"), the ceremony of the Priestly Blessing.

External links

* [http://www.chabad.org/library/article.asp?AID=16544&showrashi=true 1 Chronicles 24 on Chabad.org with Rashi's commentary]
* [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt25a24.htm Hebrew-English parallel text]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Jewish ethnic divisions — Part of a series of articles on Jews and Judaism …   Wikipedia

  • MISHMAROT AND MA'AMADOT — MISHMAROT AND MA AMADOT, priestly and levitical divisions. Historical According to I Chronicles 24–26 and rabbinic tradition, the priests and the Levites were organized into courses or divisions. According to post biblical evidence, these… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • Kohen — For other meanings, see Cohen (disambiguation) Part of a series on …   Wikipedia

  • PENTATEUCH — This article is arranged according to the following outline: introduction definition outline contents and structure the primeval history the patriarchs the exodus Sinai/Horeb Covenant and Laws the journey Moses Farewell the authors doublets and… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • List of minor biblical figures — This list contains persons named in the Bible of minor notability, about whom either nothing or very little is known, aside from any family connections. This literature related list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it. Contents: A B C D …   Wikipedia

  • Hromim — Part of Judaic series of articles on Priesthood in Judaism   …   Wikipedia

  • High Priest (Judaism) — Part of Judaic series of articles on Priesthood in Judaism   …   Wikipedia

  • Tabernacle — For other meanings see Tabernacle (disambiguation). Model of the tabernacle in Timna Park, Israel The Tabernacle (Hebrew: משכן‎, mishkan, residence or dwelling place ), according to the Hebrew Torah/Old Testament, was the portable dw …   Wikipedia

  • Temple in Jerusalem — Main articles: Solomon s Temple, Second Temple, and Third Temple A model of Herod s Temple adjacent to the Shrine of the Book exhibit at the Israel Museum, Jerusalem …   Wikipedia

  • Menorah (Temple) — A reconstruction of the Menorah of the Temple created by the Temple Institute The menorah (Hebrew: מְנוֹרָה‎ [mənoːˈɾaː]) is described in the Bible as the seven branched ancient lampstand made of gold and used in the portable sanctuary set up by… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”