priest (Old Testament office and church officer)

A human office initiated by God for the representation of the people before the divine through sacrifice and intercession. In the Mosaic system, the priesthood was restricted to Aaron and his descendants (Aaronic priesthood), with Levites serving as holy helpers and teachers. The system was characterized by a multiplicity of recurring sacrifices, such as on the Day of Atonement, which were insufficient for everlasting salvation but served to govern Israel and point toward a greater priest.