The concept of priesthood did not originate
with the Bible. That may be where most of us first encounter priests, but priesthood
has existed in many other cultures throughout history.
Canaanite culture, for instance.
Abram met Melchizedek, king of Salem (later
called Jerusalem). Melchizedek was not only a priest; he was also likely a
citizen of one of the nations that several hundred years later God would
instruct Israel to exterminate from the face of the earth. That’s unless Chazalic literature is correct in asserting that Melchizedek was actually a nickname for Shem, son
of Noah, who we know outlived Abram. We have no scriptural evidence Shem was Melchizedek, but his exceptional age would certainly explain the respect Abram
extended to the “first priest”.
And this is the very first reference to a
priest in scripture.