The Ordination of the Priests: The next portion of Leviticus is primarily a historical narrative of the ordination of the priests and the inauguration of the priestly cult of ancient Israel. These chapters pick up the story from the book of Exodus where God gives instructions for building the tabernacle and for ordaining the priests connected to the place of worship. The tabernacle is completed and accepted as a proper place of worship in Exodus 40:34–38. The ordination of the priests to offer sacrifice in the cult then takes place beginning in Leviticus 8. Chapters 8–10 legitimate not only the Jerusalem cult as reenacting the Sinai theophanic experience but also the Aaronide claim to priority in the priesthood. The chapters demonstrate continuity with the sacrificial legislation presented…