In the context of the Bible, "sacrificers" refers to individuals who perform or offer sacrifices, a central aspect of worship and religious practice in ancient Israelite culture. Sacrifices were acts of offering something valuable to God, often involving the slaughter of animals, as a means of atonement, thanksgiving, or consecration.

Old Testament Context

The role of sacrificers is primarily associated with the Levitical priesthood, established by God through Moses. The tribe of Levi was set apart for religious duties, with Aaron and his descendants serving as priests. The book of Leviticus provides detailed instructions on various types of sacrifices, including burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings (Leviticus 1-7). These sacrifices were integral to maintaining the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

The priests, as sacrificers, were responsible for performing these rituals according to the laws given by God. They acted as mediators between God and the people, ensuring that the sacrifices were conducted in a manner pleasing to the Lord. The high priest, in particular, had the unique role of entering the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement to offer sacrifices for the sins of the nation (Leviticus 16).

Biblical Examples

One of the earliest examples of sacrifice in the Bible is found in Genesis 4, where Cain and Abel offer sacrifices to God. Abel's offering, made from the firstborn of his flock, was accepted by God, while Cain's was not, highlighting the importance of the sacrificer's heart and intention.

In 1 Samuel 15:22, the prophet Samuel emphasizes obedience over sacrifice, stating, "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams." This underscores the principle that the act of sacrifice is not merely ritualistic but must be accompanied by genuine devotion and obedience to God.

New Testament Perspective

With the advent of Jesus Christ, the role of sacrificers underwent a significant transformation. Jesus is portrayed as the ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling the sacrificial system of the Old Testament. Hebrews 10:10 states, "And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." His death on the cross is seen as the perfect and final atonement for sin, rendering the old system of animal sacrifices obsolete.

Believers are called to offer themselves as living sacrifices, as described in Romans 12:1: "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." This shift emphasizes a life of holiness and service as the new form of sacrifice.

Theological Significance

The concept of sacrificers in the Bible highlights the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement. It also points to the holiness of God and the necessity of approaching Him with reverence and purity. The transition from the Old Testament sacrificial system to the New Testament understanding of Christ's sacrifice reflects the continuity and fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

In summary, sacrificers in the biblical narrative serve as a vital link between humanity and the divine, illustrating the principles of atonement, obedience, and ultimately, the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice.

Deified Devilry
... CHAPTER XXI Deified Devilry. "Next to the sacrificers, they (the temple women)
are the most important persons about the temple. That ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xxi deified devilry.htm

Argument: the Story About Christians Drinking the Blood of an ...
... The Roman sacrificers buried living a Greek man and a Greek woman, a Gallic man
and a Gallic woman; and to this day, Jupiter Latiaris is worshipped by them ...
/.../felix/the octavius of minucius felix/chapter xxx argument the story about.htm

For we Offer Prayer for the Safety of Our Princes to the Eternal.. ...
... a polluted conscience, so that one wonders, when your victims are examined by these
vile priests, why the examination is not rather of the sacrificers than the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xxx for we offer.htm

Epistle Li. To Antonianus About Cornelius and Novatian.
... that I should write to you once more what heresy Novatian had introduced, or on
what grounds Cornelius holds communion with Trophimus and the sacrificers. ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle li to antonianus about.htm

On the Popish Mass
... consider, on this occasion, that which the papists declare to be the external and
properly called "expiatory sacrifice," in which the sacrificers offer Christ ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation lxv on the popish.htm

Of the Divine Providence in General.
... breadth, and height, so many porches and courts, so many windows and thus of all
the rest which belonged to the temple; then so many sacrificers, so many ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter iii of the divine.htm

The First of the Martyrs of Palestine was Procopius...
... Another, being taken up half dead, was cast aside as if already dead, and
released from his bonds, and counted among the sacrificers. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/church history/chapter i the first of.htm

Refutation of what Libanius the Sophist Said Concerning Julian.
... avow itself, viz. to have opportunity of consulting the sacrificers and
other impostors respecting his own destiny. I well remember ...
/.../chapter xxiii refutation of what libanius.htm

The City of God
... They were veritable scenes of butchery. For Heaven's sake let us forget the frieze
of the Parthenon, and its sacrificers with their graceful lines! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/ii the city of god.htm

Epistle Liv. To Cornelius, Concerning Fortunatus and Felicissimus ...
... dearest brother, you may now know the other falsehoods which desperate and abandoned
men have there spread about, that although, of the sacrificers, or of the ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle liv to cornelius concerning.htm

Sacrificers (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sacrificers (1 Occurrence). Hosea 13:2 And now
do they add to sin, And make to them a molten image of their ...
/s/sacrificers.htm - 6k

Zalmunna (9 Occurrences)
... on the Religion of the Semites, 2nd edition, 417, note) compares with this call
to Gideon's son the choice of young men or lads as sacrificers in Exodus 24:5 ...
/z/zalmunna.htm - 13k

Zebah (9 Occurrences)
... on the Religion of the Semites, 2nd edition, 417, note) compares with this call
to Gideon's son the choice of young men or lads as sacrificers in Exodus 24:5 ...
/z/zebah.htm - 13k

Calf-Idols (1 Occurrence)
... to them a molten image of their silver, By their own understanding -- idols, A work
of artizans -- all of it, Of them they say, who 'are' sacrificers among men ...
/c/calf-idols.htm - 6k

Artizans (3 Occurrences)
... to them a molten image of their silver, By their own understanding -- idols, A work
of artizans -- all of it, Of them they say, who 'are' sacrificers among men ...
/a/artizans.htm - 7k

Sacrificedst (1 Occurrence)

/s/sacrificedst.htm - 6k

Sacrifices (186 Occurrences)

/s/sacrifices.htm - 39k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus