Billeder på siden
PDF
ePub

with brass; the form of it was square, and its centre was covered with a brass grating, through which the ashes fell. A slope led up to the altar, by which the priests ascended to offer the sacrifices.

The Tribe of Levi was selected to perform all the ordinary services required in the Tabernacle, but the charge of offering the sacrifices devolved exclusively upon the family of Aaron and their descendants; these latter were more properly denominated Priests, the others Levites. The dress of the Priests was rich and magnificent, suitable to the dignity and honour of their employment.

The high priest (see Plate) wore a long robe of fine linen reaching to the wrists. Over this he put on the robe of the ephod, a blue garment, without sleeves, and woven in one picce, an opening being left for the head, and two others for the arms. Round the edge of the border were pomegranates and golden bells, which sounded whenever the priest moved. Over the robe of blue was worn the ephod: this was of plain linen for the common priests, but the ephod of the High Priest was richly embroidered with purple, scarlet, blue, and gold; it was formed of two pieces, fastened on the shoulders by two large precious stones, having the names of the tribes inscribed upon them: six on one, and six on the other. The ephod was confined round the waist, by a girdle of needlework, richly and curiously embroidered.

[graphic][merged small]

The most sacred ornament of the High Priest was the breast-plate. This was a square piece of cloth of gold, in which were set twelve precious stones, in four rows. The names of the tribes were engraved upon them, in their order, one on each stone. Four small gold chains, attached to the four corners, fastened the breast-plate to the shoulders and the girdle. The sacred Urim and Thummim was contained in the breast-plate, by which the High Priest was enabled to learn the will of God; but in what manner this knowledge was communicated by it we do not know. A rich mitre, or turban, composed of folds of linen, completed the magnificent dress of the High Priest; in front, was a small plate of pure gold, bearing engraved upon it the words, "HOLINESS TO THE LORD."

The dresses of the common priests were less costly and splendid, though still rich and beautiful. (See Plate.) They wore a simple linen ephod, and on festivals an embroidered coat reaching to the feet, confined by a girdle wound two or three times round the body: their head dress was similar in form to the High Priest's, but without the gold plate. This dress the High Priest also wore, excepting on days of ceremony. All had sandals on their feet, which they took off whilst officiating.

THE SACRIFICES. Every morning and evening a lamb, without blemish, was offered on the altar of burnt offering, as a token of repentance and thanksgiving for the whole nation: a small

[graphic][merged small]
« ForrigeFortsæt »