Includes bibliographical references (pages 175-179) and index

1. The History of Israel's Priesthood. What Is a Priest? Priesthood Before the Monarchy. Factional Rivalries. Pre-exilic Puzzles, Post-exilic Compromise. Changing Roles and the High Priest. History and Theology -- 2. Israel's Culture Map. Structures of Reality. Setting Boundaries and Crossing Them. Clean/Unclean. Holy/Profane. Contagion and Cleansing. The Holy-Unclean Fusion Reaction. Maintaining Boundaries -- 3. Priestly Functions. Job Descriptions. Oracles. Torah. Blessing and Declaration. Administration. Installation and Vestments. The High Priest -- 4. Sacrifice. Ritual and Sacrifice. Sacrificial Transfer and Priestly Approach. Food and Gift. Social Balance. Structuralist Perspectives. Meal. Power. Drama. Purification. The Logic of Atonement. The Meaning of Sacrifice -- 5. Priesthood and Theology. Crossing Boundaries. Intermediaries. Faithful Custodians. Priesthood and Patriarchy. Yahweh's Gracious Gift. The Religious Value of Priesthood. Priestly Theology -- 6. Restoration and Utopian Vision. New Situations. Ezekiel 40-48. Reinforcing the Boundaries. Restricting the Priesthood. Zechariah 1-8. Purifying the High Priest. Joshua and Zerubbabel. The Priestly Writing. Safety in Ritual. Divine Acceptance and Human Obedience. 1 and 2 Chronicles. Background and Theology. Priests as Signs of Torah Obedience. Priests as Defenders of Spatial Holiness. Priests as Support for Theological Themes -- 7. Priesthood in the New Testament. Hebrews. The Readers' Problem and the Author's Solution. The Superior Priesthood of Jesus. The Cosmic Day of Atonement. Open Access to the Holy. Using and Distorting Culture Maps. 1 Peter. Identity and Reassessment. 1 Peter 2:9 -- A Regal Priesthood. 1 Peter 2:5 -- A Holy Priesthood. 1 Peter 2:5 -- A Spiritual Lineage. The Priesthood of All Believers -- 8. Priesthood and the Gospel Community. Dissolving Boundaries. Biblical Priesthood and Christian Ministry