Reasons for Levite Priesthood Removal in Biblical History
The Levite priesthood played a significant role in biblical history, serving as assistants to the priests and performing various duties within the sanctuary. However, the Levitical priesthood was eventually removed, and its significance is understood differently across various Christian traditions.
The biblical anchor for the removal of the Levitical priesthood lies in the New Testament, specifically in the book of Hebrews, which states that the priesthood was changed [3]. According to Adam Clarke, this change was necessary because the Levitical law, with its sacrificial offerings, could not confer perfection or reconcile God to man [3]. The order of Aaron was abrogated to make way for the order of Melchizedek, a priestly order that preceded the Levitical one.
One reason for the removal of the Levitical priesthood was the failure of the Levites and priests to maintain their faithfulness to God. The historical books of the Old Testament, such as 2 Chronicles, record instances where the Levites and priests were cast off by Jeroboam and his sons for not executing their priestly office to Yahweh [1, 2]. The Israelites' idolatry and disobedience also contributed to the decline of the Levitical priesthood.
In the view of some Reformed traditions, the Levitical priesthood was a shadow or type of the true priesthood of Christ [8]. John Calvin argues that the adoption of the Israelites was to be "a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation," but this could not be attained without a greater and more excellent atonement than the blood of beasts [8]. The Levitical priesthood was thus superseded by Christ's priesthood.
Other traditions, such as the Jewish (Rabbinic) tradition, understand the Levitical priesthood as still holding significance, although its role has changed [4]. The Babylonian Talmud discusses the status of priests and Levites, highlighting the complexities of their roles and responsibilities.
The removal of the Levitical priesthood is also linked to the incident of the golden calf, where the firstborn were removed from their priestly role, and the Levites were substituted in their place [7]. Abraham Ibn Ezra notes that this change was a significant act, done because of the firstborn's involvement in idolatry.
The historical development of the Levitical priesthood's removal is complex, with various factors contributing to its decline. The patristic tradition, as represented by Augustine, sees the removal of the Levitical priesthood as foretold in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament [9]. The early Christian understanding of the Levitical priesthood's removal is closely tied to their understanding of Christ's priesthood.
The significance of the Levitical priesthood's removal continues to be understood differently across Christian traditions, reflecting their distinct theological emphases and interpretations of biblical history. While some see it as a necessary step towards the establishment of Christ's priesthood, others continue to recognize the importance of the Levitical priesthood in biblical history [5, 6].
Sources
- 2 Chronicles “For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons cast them off, that they should not execute the priest’s office to Yahweh; -- 2 Chronicles 11:14”
- II Chronicles “II Chronicles 11:14 (LITV) — For the Levites had abandoned their pasture land and their property. And they came to Judah and to Jerusalem; for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them out from acting as priests to Jehovah.”
- Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 7:12: The priesthood being changed - That is, The order of Aaron being now abrogated, to make way for that which had preceded it, the order of Melchisedec. There is made of necessity a change also of the law - The very essence of the Levitical law consisting in its sacrificial offerings; and as these could not confer perfection, could not reconcile God to man, purify the unholy heart, nor open the kingdom of heaven to the souls of men, consequently it must be abolished, according to the order of God himself; for he said, Sacrifice and offering, and burnt-offering, and sa”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Gittin 181b.118:20: The Gemara answers: Ultimately, is he a Levite? If the priest is disqualified from the priesthood owing to his blemished lineage, he has the status of an Israelite, not a Levite. Therefore, if he reads from the Torah after another priest, and it is known that his father is a priest, then it must be that he too is a qualified priest. Therefore, the only reason for concern is that people might say that there is a flaw in the status of the first priest.”
- Jeremiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Jeremiah 33:18: Neither shall the priests the Levites want a man before me,.... The Levitical priesthood has been abolished long ago; that was typical of Christ's priesthood, and is succeeded by it; who is a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek; and who, having offered up himself a sacrifice here on earth for his people, ever appears in heaven, in the presence of God, on their behalf, making intercession for them; and as long as he continues to do so, which will be always, a man shall not be wanting before the Lord: to offer burnt offerings, and to kindle meat offering”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 66:21: 66:21 That some of the Gentiles would serve as priests and Levites signifies the removal of God’s distinction between Hebrews and Gentiles (see 56:7; see also Gal 6:15; Eph 4:11-13).”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Numbers 16:28: TO DO ALL THESE WORKS. To have the Levites take the place of the first-born. Note, it is a major and grievous act to the one who does not believe that God ordered the first-born to be removed from their position as kohanim and to have this status conferred only upon the family of Moses. All of this was done 66 The first-born were removed and the Levites substituted in their place. because of the incident of the golden calf, because and offered burnt-offerings, and brought peace-offerings (Ex. 32:6) speaks of the first-born who offered these sacrifices, for th”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 43: adoption of the Israelites to be, that they should be “a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation,” ( Exod. 19:6 ). This they could not attain, without a greater and more excellent atonement than the blood of beasts. For what could be less in accordance with reason, than that the sons of Adams who, from hereditary taint, are all born the slaves of sin, should be raised to royal dignity, and in this way made partakers of the glory of God, if the noble distinction were not derived from some other source? How, moreover, could the priest”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 5.--OF THOSE THINGS WHICH A MAN OF GOD SPAKE BY THE SPIRIT TO ELI THE PRIEST, SIGNIFYING THAT THE PRIESTHOOD WHICH HAD BEEN APPOINTED ACCORDING TO AARON WAS TO BE TAKEN AWAY. (part 2): ancient priesthood is foretold with so great plainness, was fulfilled in Samuel; for although Samuel was not of another tribe than that which had been appointed by God to serve at the altar, yet he was not of the sons of Aaron, whose offspring 344 was set apart that the priests might be taken out of it. And thus by that transaction also the same ch”