Table of Contents

List of Sidebars ix

Series Preface xi

Preface xv

Abbreviations xix

Part 1 Introduction

1 Priesthood and the Project of Catholic Exegesis 3

Hermeneutical Interlude: A Catholic Alrernative 23

Part 2 "The Sons of Aaron in Their Splendor"

2 "The Glory of the LORD Appeared" (Lev. 9:23): Priesthood as Theophany 39

Excursus 1 Purity and Holiness 69

Excursus 2 Levi, Levites, and the Priesthood 76

3 "Like People, like Priest" (Hosea 4:9): Priestly Sin and the Prophetic Critique 81

Excursus 3 The Corruption of Priests and Temple 105

Excursus 4 The Priesthood of Eli and Sons at Shiloh 111

4 "I Will Clothe You with Festal Apparel" (Zech. 3:4): The Promise of a New Priesthood 116

Excursus 5 David's Royal Priesthood 146

Excursus 6 Transfiguration of the Temple and the Future of Theophany 152

Part 3 "The Order of Melchizedek"

5 "Feed My Sheep" (John 21:17): The Inauguration of New Covenant Ordo 161

Excursus 7 Israel's Last Prophet 192

Excursus 8 The Language of Pastoral Order 202

6 "A Spiritual Temple, a Holy Priesthood" (1 Pet. 2:5): Priestly Sacrifice and the New Law 210

Excursus 9 The Laying On of Hands 237

Excursus 10 Priests in the Letter to the Hebrews 246

7 Conclusion: Jesus as Charismatic Founder of a Hierarchical Church 255

Suggested Resources 275

Selected Bibliography 277

Subject Index 285

Scripture and Other Ancient Sources Index 289