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There are many traces of this ‘natural’ priesthood in the O. T., both (1) before and (2) after ‘the Law.’

(1) Natural priesthood in the O. T. before the Law. ( a ) The Patriarchs.

Gen. 8:20 ff. (Noah).

Gen. 13:4 (Abraham). Gen. 26:25 (Isaac). Gen. 35:1 (Jacob). Comp. Job 1:5.

( b ) Melchizedek.

Gen. 14:18 ff.

( c ) Jethro.

Ex. 18:1, 12.

Comp. Ex. 19:22.

(2) Natural priesthood in the O. T. after the Law. ( a ) The Judges.

Judg. 6:19 ff. (Gideon).

Judg. 13:19 (Manoah). Judg. 17:5 (Micah). [1 Sam. 7:9 f. (Samuel); comp. 7:1 (Eleazar).

Sam. 9:13 (Samuel).]

( b ) The Kings.

Saul: 1 Sam. 13:9 f.

Sam. 14:34, 35. David: 2 Sam. 6:13 f.

Sam. 24:25 (1 Chron. 21:26). Comp. 23:16.

Solomon: 1 Kings 9:25 (2 Chron. 8:12 f.). Ahaz: 2 Kings 16:12 f. (comp. 2 Chron. 26:16 ff.). Comp. Jer. 30:21.

III. The Priesthood of the People. (The theocratic priesthood.)

i. Jewish Monotheism. All monotheistic religions derive their origin from Abraham. The Jews alone in the Old World made the belief in one God the foundation of life.

In the Scriptures of the O.T. no stress is laid upon abstract opinion as


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