Priest

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Priest is a spinoff of Seraiah. Seraiah was a serendipitous find that may put several posts into motion. The kohen or priest of God are found in most books of the Bible, especially if you remember that Jesus is our High Priest and Lord.  

The first priest of Got Most High is not a son of Aaron or a child of Abraham. It is a Gentile believer living in a very important place. He is Melchizedek. He is introduced in Genesis 14, associated with David in Psalm 110, and compared with Jesus in Hebrews. Why did God want Terah and Abram to go to Canaan? Was it to meet this righteous man? Yes, I know the legends associated with Melchizedek. God made a covenant with Abraham, then extended the blessing to Jacob’s children, but He had a heart and plan for the Gentiles.

A kingdom of priest – After the plagues and the Passover, through the Red Sea and several bouts of crumbling, God announced His plan for the Children of Israel in Exodus 19: 5 and 6. (Please note, this is before the Law was given and a golden calf was made.) God wanted His “called out people” to be priest. The key to this offer was that they had to be right with Him.

His chosen as priest – The above thought is seen again in 1 Peter 2: 5+9 where believers are called a holy and a royal priesthood. In Romans 15:16 Paul is in agreement with Peter as we are to minister the Good News of the Kingdom. (Modern translations, from 1599 to present, are split on adding “priestly duties” in that passage.) Revelations 1:6, 5:10, and 20:6 all say that we will be priest of God.

The Father has always wanted priest. He wants people who will spread the Good News of the Kingdom, because they have chosen to follow Jesus. These called and sent followers will love people, His world, and righteousness.

Hiereus vs Archiereus – O that is priest vs high/chief/ruling priest. If you are like I was you see no difference in these two groups. Between this study and a conversation with my wife that centered on an article she read, there is a difference. Josephus, the historian, was the source quoted in the article. In the Book of Matthew Jesus uses both terms, but it does not take many verses to realize that it was the Archiereus that He had trouble with. In Matthew 8 He sent the leper to the Hiereus to follow the Law of Moses. (Yes, another spinoff is starting to turn.) They were the ones who served the people in daily duties in the Temple.

The Archiereus actually bought the right to be in charge. In other words, Rome and Herod allowed them to hold office for a price. The coin exchange booths and the pre-approved sacrificial animals made it all about the Benjamins. 

Bible 911 – Nehemiah

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Nehemiah 9:11 is part of a prayer/song of repentance and a history lesson that led to Jerusalem’s destruction in the time of Jeremiah. Its timestamp is the seventh month after the Feast of Tabernacles. This occurred after the wall of Jerusalem was rebuilt but not dedicated.

As I have done the Bible 911 series it is apparent how the Lord provided “two or three witnesses” to confirm His Word. Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and others spoke against the Assyrians and the need for Judah to repent. Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel were in the middle of the judgment on Judah and Jerusalem falling. Nehemiah, Ezra, Haggai, and Zechariah are after the seventy years of exile that Jeremiah prophesied. These three groups were also under three different oppressors – the first group dealt with the Assyrians, the second group suffered under the Babylonians, and the third were slaves to the Persians. Egypt and the delusion that it was a help to Israel are mentioned in all three time periods. Now that can make a great sermon. Samaritans, Philistines, and the “family enemies” of Moab, Ammon, and Edom have not gone away.

The Seventh Month

Chapters 8 and 9 of Nehemiah are set in the seventh month of the Hebrew religious calendar; there was a civil calendar that shared names but was in a different order. The importance of this month is found in Leviticus 23:23-44. It is the last set of feasts in the year and they come after the crops are gathered.

With that command in place, it is very curious to read 8:17. Why was the Feast of Tabernacles ignored? There are many references to the Exodus and the forty years of wandering (See Stories 1 and Stories 2), so it was not a forgotten event.

As I read it, the seventh-month gathering in Ezra 3 was not the one in Nehemiah.  It was the Feast of Trumpets, but the timeframe is different. When you follow the parade of kings, several have come and gone between the seventh-month meetings. Ezra’s meeting in chapter 10 is in the 9th month and it was raining. Rain in the “seventh month” in Israel is rare.

Hebrew Jewish Months in the Old Testament – Bible History (bible-history.com)

rainy season in israel – Search (bing.com)       

Chapter 9

The assembly that is chronicled in this chapter may be the final gathering for the Feast of Tabernacles, but it seems like it is an additional event because it began on the 24th. The details that are given signal the preparations and thoughts that have gone into this meeting. The list of Levities may well have been the choir and musicians for the Temple as well as its guards and officials.

This public confession or teaching or prayer or song is beautiful. It extols the Father’s goodness, provisions, and mercy for the Family as He brought them to the inheritance of Abraham. The good works of God are shown in contrast to the sins and unfaithfulness of His people. Abram leaving his home to follow the Lord is a powerful statement as they lead the people through Egypt and the wilderness to the Promise. The final stanzas pull the people back to their current plight and the distress they are enduring. 

9:5b+6 is a perfect joining of Genesis 1 and the foundation for the Lord’s Prayer taught by Jesus. It clearly announces that Jehovah has always been worthy of praise, even before we showed up.

After Genesis 17:5 the name Abram is used only twice in the Scriptures. 1 Chronicles has it in a family list and identifies him as Abraham. Here I feel it is used to connect the listener to the pilgrim who leaves the Ur of the Chaldeans to follow God’s leading to settle in a land they do not know, but it belongs to them. By this time most of these people have never been out of Babylon and only know stories of this land.

Nehemiah 9:11 And thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors thou threwest into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty waters. (KJV)

O the teaching and sermons that have come from this event. Faith and fear, deliverance, provisions, light and dark, and obedience are just a few that come to my mind. It is a main lesson for baptism. These skilled Levities echo Moses and Miriam in their sermon songs found in Exodus 15: 1 – 21.    

Verse 11 is the miraculous scene change from the bondage of the Egyptians and their gods, whom Jehovah wrecked, to God who has covered them with His banner. I know the name Jehovah-Nissi is introduced in Exodus 17, but the Father proved Himself as their warring protector long before that.

A Little History and Background

  • This time of confession and repentance was predicted in Ezekiel 23 and Jeremiah 50.
  • Ezra, the priest and learned man leads the reading/meeting in Chapter 8. It is possible that not all of the returning Israelites may have been fluent in Hebrew. 9:2 sounds like a “family” only meeting.
  • Jeremiah 50:17 “Israel is a scattered flock that lions have chased away. The first to devour them was the king of Assyria; the last to crush their bones was Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.” (NIV) They are now slaves of Persia.
  • The potentates in this period are confusing, this is not the entire list, just the ones from the Bible. I will give credit to BAR for this list. Darius the Mede (Daniel), Cyrus, Darius the Great (Ezra 4), Xerxes or Ahasuerus (Esther), Artaxerxes I (Ezra), and Darius II(Nehemiah). Yes, there are three different rulers with the name Darius.
  • The important Jews in order (of appearance) is also a hard list to find, this is my attempt. Sheshbazzar prince of Judah, Zerubbabel (also a prince of Judah) and Jeshua (a priest), Haggai and Zechariah, Ezra, and Nehemiah.
  • Zechariah in Context and Zechariah 911 may be helpful. 

Going Further – Place Ezekiel 23 and Jeremiah 50 in chronological order as to when Jerusalem fell, so you can get an appreciation of the mercy of God and His knowledge.

Seraiah

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Seraiah is a name that I saw several times in Ezra and Nehemiah as I was studying to do their Bible 911 post. This name is associated with several priests including Ezra. There are other men, that are not priests, that also have that name. Names were very important to ancient Hebrews. Seraiah is one of those. 2 Samuel 8:17 is the first time it is seen, and many priests from Jeremiah to Nehemiah received that name. Some of the other men may not have been nice people.

The reuse of names to honor people seems to have been common. At the time of Samuel and David, 1 Chronicles 6, several men were named Ahitub and Zadok. In the first century, several priests had the name Ananias.

Seraiah means Prince or Soldier of the Lord. Several experts lean towards Yah Retains. The “iah” is like “el” in a name, it refers to God or Lord. The “Sera” part seems to be the issue with people interpreting it very differently. I like Prince of the Lord, so I will go with that one.

This is a good reference to use in studying this name.  Seraiah | The amazing name Seraiah: meaning and etymology (abarim-publications.com)

It is the “family” part of the name I want to take some time with. Ezekiel and Jeremiah are “family” with all these men named Seraiah. These two prophets, who were also priests, were given some hard words to speak against their family members. But it is true that some of them were not doing right by God.

  • 2 Kings 25:18 and Jeremiah 52:24 tell the story of Seraiah the chief priest being carried into exile.
  • 1 Chronicles 6 is the section that lists priests, Levities, and singers. Verse 14 adds a note about being exiled to Babylon.
  • Ezra 2 has a man in the company with Zerubbabel who returns to Judah.
  • Ezra 7 introduces Ezra the son of Seraiah and family with Hilkiah. He is the Ezra who is also in Nehemiah, Haggai, and Zechariah.
  • Nehemiah 11 and 12 also mention Seraiah(s) in several roles in Jerusalem.

For good and bad, the family of Aaron influenced Israel; before there were kings, with kings, and with governors. The Greeks and Romans did their best to end or diminish the priest of God. The Law put specific restrictions on these relatives of Aaron. Because of the position that God gave them, He held them to a higher standard. Some did well, some did not do well in these duties and responsibilities. That is why they had to offer sacrifices for their sins before representing the people before God.

God bless the Kohen; may they hear His voice and follow His heart.  

Mē or μή

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Mē or μή is a Greek word (Strong’s G 3361) and is used over 1000 times in the New Testament. While using the Mounce translation and website I saw this word in Matthew 5:17 – Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. (NIV) I was actually studying the word “think” in the passage, but that is for another time.

Mē is the first of the two words translated as no in the passage. The second one is G3756 which is also used many times in the New Testament. Both words carry a negative thought and mean no or not.

My thought on the word Mē is very simple and has little to do with Greek grammar or tenses. When “me” takes center stage in what I am doing it translates into a big NO. We all have talents and abilities from the Father we are to use to bring glory to Jesus. The Holy Spirit may even have given you a spiritual gift for building up the Church. But when the “me” factor starts to shadow the glory, we are to give the Father and Jesus a mē and a οὐ has to come in. Another time when me needs a Mē is in dealing with other people, that “as yourself “part is easy to ignore.

So, Jesus = Yes and me = no. Father begin your reign on earth as it is in Heaven. Come Lord Jesus.

Ezra’s Timestamps

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These are the mentions of time in Ezra. The italics verses are important but not in the time flow of the Book. They mark actions and give historical references.  

Ezra 1:1  1y of Cyrus of Persia (reference Daniel)

Ezra 3:1  7m (1y) Jeshua and Zerubbabel rebuilt the altar

Ezra 3:4  Feast of Tabernacles was celebrated with offerings (15d) 

Ezra 3:6  refers back to 3:1, burnt offerings were started (daily)

Ezra 3:8  2y, 2m after their arrival started the Temple. 5m after 3:1

Ezra 4:2  Samaritans reference Esarhaddon king of Assyria, no time is given

Ezra 4:7  Xerxes or Ahasuerus is referenced in verse six and a formal letter is sent in the days of Artaxerxes that stopped work on the Temple

Ezra 4:24  2y of Darius king of Persia work was stopped, this is Darius the Second (there are three mentioned starting in Daniel)

Ezra 5:3  5:1 references Haggai and Zechariah, 5:3 mentions Tattenai the governor, who is confirmed by archeology.

Ezra 5:11  reference to Solomon

Ezra 5:13  reference to Cyrus

Ezra 5:16  reference to Sheshbazzar

Ezra 6:3  a letter Darius found, from Cyrus (see 3:1)

Ezra 6:15  6y 12m 3d of Darius, the Temple was completed

Ezra 6:19 1m 14d after the Temple is finished, they celebrate Passover

Ezra 6:22  the seven days of the Feast cycle

Ezra 7:7   

Ezra 7:8

Ezra 7:9  Ezra started 7y1m1d and arrived at 7y5m1d of Artaxerxes with additional temple workers. This is the time of Passover and Pentecost.

Ezra 8:15  Assembled at the Ahava Canal, camped for three days, fasted, and waited for Levities.

Ezra 8:31  1m 12 d they started left for Jerusalem. (See 7:8+9)

Ezra 8:32  Three-day rest in Jerusalem after arriving.

Ezra 8:33  Fourth day they check the treasures that were brought with them.

Ezra 10:8  A three-day notice to appear. The exact time is not mentioned.

Ezra 10:9 9m 20d Ezra had an assembly, it rained, about mixed marriages.

Ezra 10:16 10m 1d The investigations started

Ezra 10:17 1m 1d The investigation was finished.