Assessment of Religious Knowledge (ARK) Practice Exam 2026 – Your All-in-One Guide to Exam Mastery

The primary role of a priest in the Old Testament was fundamentally centered around offering sacrifices on behalf of the people. This function was vital in the religious practice of ancient Israel, where priests were responsible for performing the daily and seasonal sacrifices prescribed in the Torah. The offerings varied from sin offerings to peace offerings, serving to atone for the sins of the community and to express gratitude or seek favor from God.

This sacrificial system was established as a means for the people to maintain their covenant relationship with God. Moreover, the priesthood was seen as a divinely appointed office, with priests coming from the lineage of Aaron, the brother of Moses, emphasizing the sanctity and importance of their role in spiritual leadership.

While priests did lead worship and teach the law, which are important aspects of their role, the act of offering sacrifices was singularly crucial, serving as the foundation for many other duties and practices within the religious life of Israel. The responsibilities of performing miracles and healing, or acting as representatives in government, were not part of the defining functions of the priesthood as outlined in the Old Testament.