How the Israelite Priesthood Really Developed

Who controlled religion in ancient Israel? The Israelite priesthood may look like a straightforward institution, but its history is anything but simple. This week, Nathan MacDonald joins the podcast to to trace the development of the ancient Israelite priesthood and present his reconstruction of how the Israelite priesthood developed, drawing on the Hebrew Bible and the broader history of ancient Israel. We explore competing priestly traditions, the role of the temple, and the struggle for religious authority to find how Israel’s priests became such an important part of its religious and political life.

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📚 Reading Recommendations ⁠

The Making of the Tabernacle and the Construction of Priestly Hegemony by Nathan MacDonald

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🎙️ Credits

Guest: Dr. Nathan MacDonald

Edited and Produced by Dr. Jordan Jones

Bible & Archaeology is a University of Iowa production. The views and opinions expressed on Bible & Archaeology belong solely to the individuals who share them. They do not represent the positions of the University of Iowa or the State of Iowa.