The Corruption of the Priests

Testament of Levi 14:1–18:13

2nd Century BCE

Chapter 14

1And now, my children, I know from the writings of Enoch that in the end-time you will act impiously against the Lord, setting your hands to every evil deed; because of you, your brothers will be humiliated and among all the nations you shall become the occasion for scorn. 2For your father, Israel, is pure with respect to all the…
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In this passage, Levi predicts the corruption of the priests, which will lead to the destruction and desolation of the Temple and the lapsing of the priesthood. Ultimately, a new priest will arise, who will bring knowledge and peace to the world. Aspects of this text, which likely originated in the second century BCE, may reflect a critique of the Hasmonean priesthood. Later Christian editors reworked the text to include references to the priests’ complicity in Jesus’ death (see Mark 11:18; 14:1).

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