Where Does The Priesthood Culminate? More New Testament Application

Throughout biblical history, God entrusted the priesthood to those who were called to serve Him in holiness, interceding on behalf of the people. However, time and again, priests fell into apostasy, leading to the nullification of their divine calling and the eradication of their lineage and service. The Sadducees, much like Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (Numbers 16), the sons of Eli (1 Samuel 2:12-35), and Cain himself (Genesis 4:1-16), suffered the consequences of their rebellion against God.

As mentioned in my last article “The Qumran Community: Early Christian Practice?” the Sadducees were a sect of Jewish religious leaders during the Second Temple period who denied the resurrection (Matthew 22:23), rejected the existence of angels and spirits (Acts 23:8), and dismissed the authority of oral tradition. Despite their claim to priestly lineage, their corruption, alliance with Rome, and rejection of key doctrines led to their downfall. If Scripture proves itself, and that is a rhetorical question as we know it does time and again, they would have lost their right to the priesthood following the Maccabean revolt. Since the Pharisees were not of the Zadok lineage – we are left with the Essenes as a real priestly line – and so comes John the Baptist…more on this below.

Jesus rebuked the Sadducees directly, saying: “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God” (Matthew 22:29 – more detail on this in my earlier article). By rejecting God’s revelation, they placed themselves outside His covenant. Their priestly function became null and void when the Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D., fulfilling Jesus’ prophecy: “See, your house is left unto you desolate” (Matthew 23:38). Like their corrupt predecessors, the Sadducees lost their place due to disobedience and corruption.

The historian Flavius Josephus, in Antiquities of the Jews, describes the Sadducees as politically opportunistic and religiously unfaithful, aligning themselves with the Roman authorities rather than God’s covenant. Their rejection of the resurrection also contradicted Daniel 12:2, which states: “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”

Dead Sea Scrolls scholars, such as Geza Vermes in The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English, argue that the Qumran community, likely composed of the Essenes, saw the Sadducees as corrupt usurpers of the priesthood. The Temple Scroll (11Q19) provides an idealized vision of priestly purity, contrasting with the Sadducees’ perceived defilement of the Temple. James VanderKam, in The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible, highlights how the sectarian texts of Qumran repeatedly denounce the Jerusalem priesthood as illegitimate and compromised.

Let’s look at an earlier example of a priestly loss of lineage and authority. Numbers 16 records the infamous rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Korah, a Levite, sought the priesthood despite God’s exclusive appointment of Aaron and his descendants. His claim—“Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy” (Numbers 16:3)—exemplifies the arrogance of those who assume religious authority without divine sanction. This flew in the face of God’s design, choice of vessel, and lineage from where to carry His plan throughout the annals of Israel’s journey. God’s response was swift: “And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods” (Numbers 16:32). This serves as a stark warning that unauthorized priestly claims lead to destruction.

I wish to interject a concept here. Many in the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements use this idea of “The man of God” and “priestly order” to control and not allow the question or identification of apostasy within the ranks because that person is “anointed of God”. The fact remains – If we are in Christ, we are of the royal priesthood – there is no special “Man of God” any longer except for Jesus Himself. We are all the same in the Kingdom – so to allegorize this model for those within Christ’s borders… if not, it encroaches on heresy that produces abuse and control mechanisms in the church. As I write this much has been publicized over many ministries’ Charlatan practices and abuses, both spiritual and criminal in the Body. This should not be! These movements are suffering what is needed to restore order – and for those connected to a movement like this I encourage you to disconnect and take on responsibility for your relationship with God – to hear His voice through the Scriptures and prayer and perform one’s due diligence to the Scriptures; not rely on a prophetic word from a movement you have trusted in error for years. I say this because I have been there – and deconstructed from that mode of ministry! Still believing in the gifts of the Spirit and the five-fold ministry function…I see them as functions, not a hierarchy…we have seen the damage from the latter…it’s time for Believers who care about people to arise and move maturely in them. However, I digress…

The renowned reformer John Calvin, in his Commentary on Numbers, remarks that Korah’s rebellion was not merely against Moses but against God Himself, illustrating how defying divine order results in judgment (Calvin, Commentary on the Pentateuch). I am attempting to pull from many streams to show this is not a singular concept from a singular stream of Christianity.

Hin a later example, we see Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli, exemplify corruption in the priesthood. They abused their position by engaging in immorality (1 Samuel 2:22) and desecrating the sacrifices (1 Samuel 2:12-17). The Lord pronounced judgment through a prophet: “I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind” (1 Samuel 2:35). Their priestly lineage was wiped out when both sons perished in battle (1 Samuel 4:11), and the Ark of the Covenant was taken… and Eli’s grandson was born despite the death of his mother and his mane was Ichabod – “The glory has departed”. Matthew Henry, in his Commentary on the Whole Bible, notes that the corruption of Eli’s sons was an example of how priestly offices can be defiled when leaders fail to fear God.

When we also look at the story of Adam and Eve’s family, Cain’s rebellion mirrors the pattern of priestly apostasy. Though not viewed as a priest in the formal Levitical sense nor mainstream Christian doctrine, he functioned as an “offerer of sacrifices” (Genesis 4:3-5). We need to look at the idea here that even Adam and the transference of a priesthood through the eldest son existed here. There was an order, even before the Torah – for even Abraham offered sacrifices for his people.  There existed a priestly order from day one as Adam was entrusted with the Vineyard of heaven – Eden – and was the initial example of apostasy leading to expulsion. So, in Cain’s case, his offering was rejected due to his heart’s corruption. When he murdered Abel, God sentenced him to be a fugitive: “Thou art cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand” (Genesis 4:11). Like the apostate priests, Cain forfeited his place among the righteous, and the lineage of Adam’s seed to carry the promise, as it became replaced by Seth (appointed). Augustine, writes in City of God, comparing Cain’s rejection to that of false priests, stating that outward offerings are meaningless when the heart is corrupt.

As we turn to the nation of Israel, its history is rife with priests who turned to pagan worship. Ezekiel 8 reveals the extent of their apostasy: “Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery?” (Ezekiel 8:12). The priests’ idolatry led to the destruction of the Temple and then the Babylonian exile ensued (2 Chronicles 36:14-17). Similarly, Malachi condemned the priests of his day: “Ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law” (Malachi 2:8). Their faithlessness rendered their priesthood void, setting the stage for Messiah Yeshua, the ultimate High Priest (Hebrews 7:23-28).

K. Beale, in The Temple and the Church’s Mission, discusses how Israel’s priesthood was ultimately fulfilled and replaced by Christ’s eternal priesthood, rendering apostate priests obsolete. One of the biggest misunderstandings of Scripture is the book of Hebrews. The translators put the word “covenant” in italics – however the Hebrew writer was talking about the priesthood change – not a new (never has been before) covenant – but a renewed covenant with a fuller expression (if you research the original language), coming from God who cut the same covenant with Abraham, but had to walk through the punishment of breaking it because Abraham was asleep when it was made – so God, Himself was responsible to be torn to pieces – and subsequently – Jesus became that rendering – that fulfillment.

The Sadducees, like Korah, Eli’s sons, Cain, and the idolatrous priests, lost their standing due to corruption, disobedience, and rejection of God’s truth. The destruction of the Temple sealed their fate, affirming that apostate priests cannot maintain divine favor. This history serves as a solemn warning that spiritual authority must align with God’s will, lest it be revoked, as seen throughout Scripture. As R. C. Sproul states in The Holiness of God, “God’s judgment on unfaithful leaders is severe because their responsibility is great”. The lesson remains clear: holiness is a requirement for those who serve in God’s name.

Back to John the Baptist – Is it possible that God DID preserve the priesthood for a righteous people? We see John the Baptist (Johanan the Immerser) coming from the Essene community. The Essenes are known to have come from the Zadok Priesthood in lineage (list below). We know Zacharias came from the same community and was in the lineage of Zadok. If the Pharisees were not even from that lineage (though they claim to by saying an individual named Zadok was in their line – NOT the same Zadok of David). The Sadducees lost any ties to Zadok because of their apostasy. That leaves the Qumran Community. Why is Zadok so important? Because Jesus is after the high order of Melchizedek (Malach-Zadok/ King and Priest. This order transcends Pre-Torah through the Resurrection. Knowing this history – we must examine all that came from Rabbinical Judaism as attached to the New Covenant. My messianic friends are raising their eyebrows.

I am in no way questioning the Hebrew Roots of our faith nor what aligns with all of that understanding – just making an argument that maybe…the sect of what we declare our attachment to is not the rightful order. I am saying we must explore the Jewish sect that DID keep Torah in purity – that DID disciple in righteousness, that DID walk humbly before their God, and that DID hold the lineage to the priesthood of David. It was not all Jewish people that did – only those who were of the practice of holiness demonstrated by the Essenes and the order of life without the attachments of Rabbinical Writings of the Hasidim (I have read those much over the years – and they display much information and understanding of culture and practice – but they are NOT Scripture). We have four Gospels that tell us story after story of how Jesus antagonized and vilified the unrighteous order of the day and the Qumran community was not one of those He came against – instead, we see His work alongside many from that community. As we have stated – His “spirit of Elijah” predecessor came from that community.

This does not negate anything we celebrate in the Moadim – it only enhances it. It does force us to ask the question… how and when did the Essenes practice their faith according to the Torah?…more to come. The lineage of the Zadok Priesthood is below.

Shalom

1. Aaron (Brother of Moses, First High Priest)

• Father: Amram
• Tribe: Levi
• High Priest: First in Israel

• Sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar

• Died: At Mount Hor (Numbers 20:22-29)

2. Eleazar (Succeeded Aaron as High Priest)

• Son of Aaron
• HP after Aaron’s death
• Married a daughter of Putiel (Exodus 6:25)
• Father of Phinehas
• Served during the conquest of Canaan under Joshua

3. Phinehas (Zealous for God, Blessed with a Lasting Priesthood)

4. Son of Eleazar

• Zealously killed Zimri and Cozbi (Numbers 25:6-15)
• Received God’s covenant of a “lasting priesthood” (Numbers 25:12-13)
• Possibly served as HP after Eleazar

4. Abishua (Likely High Priest after Phinehas)

• Son of Phinehas
• Little is known, but listed in genealogies (1 Chronicles 6:4-5, Ezra 7:4-5)

5. Bukki (High Priest, Son of Abishua)

• Genealogies confirm his place in the lineage (1 Chronicles 6:5, Ezra 7:4)

6. Uzzi (Son of Bukki, High Priest)

• Listed in the lineage (1 Chronicles 6:6, Ezra 7:4-5)

7. Zerahiah

• Son of Uzzi
• Appears in the genealogy (1 Chronicles 6:6, Ezra 7:4)

8. Meraioth

• Son of Zerahiah
• Listed in priestly genealogies (1 Chronicles 6:6-7, Ezra 7:3)

9. Amariah I

• Son of Meraioth

  Appears in the priestly list (1 Chronicles 6:7, Ezra 7:3)

10. Ahitub I

• Son of Amariah I
• Listed in 1 Chronicles 6:7

11. Zadok’s Lineage Begins to Emerge

• Ahitub had two notable sons: Zadok and Ahimelech.
• Zadok came from Eleazar’s line, while Ahimelech belonged to Ithamar’s.
• The priesthood was divided between the two lines until Solomon made Zadok sole High Priest.

The Parallel Ithamarite Line

• Ithamar (Aaron’s son, brother of Eleazar)
• Eli (A priest and judge, descendant of Ithamar, but not a High Priest by divine appointment)
• Ahimelech (Son of Ahitub, killed by Saul at Nob, 1 Samuel 22:16-18)
• Abiathar (Son of Ahimelech, fled to David, later removed by Solomon, 1 Kings 2:26-27)

With Abiathar’s removal, Zadok became the sole High Priest.

12. Zadok (Appointed Sole High Priest by Solomon)

• Son of Ahitub (descendant of Eleazar)
• Loyal to David during Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 15:24-29)
• Anointed Solomon as king (1 Kings 1:32-35)
• Made sole High Priest after Abiathar was deposed (1 Kings 2:26-27, 35)

Summary of Lineage from Aaron to Zadok

1. Aaron
2. Eleazar
3. Phinehas
4. Abishua
5. Bukki
6. Uzzi
7. Zerahiah
8. Meraioth
9. Amariah I
10. Ahitub I
11. Zadok

This lineage is significant because God promised Phinehas and his descendants an everlasting priesthood (Numbers 25:12-13), which was later secured in Zadok’s line after the removal of Abiathar. The descendants of Zadok continued as the priestly family in the First and Second Temples.