The Priestly Vestments

Josephus

The Jewish War 5.228–236

ca. 75

Those of priestly descent who could not officiate because of some physical defect were still allowed within the parapet along with their unblemished colleagues, and received the benefits to which they were entitled by birth, but wore laymen’s clothes. Only officiating priests could wear the sacred vestments. Priests who were free of defect went up…

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Josephus explains that the priests wear different clothing depending on their status and the occasion. Priests wear special garments only while officiating in the Temple, meaning that priests who are excluded from officiating because of a physical defect wear ordinary clothing. The high priest wears a more elaborate outfit when he enters the holy of holies on Yom Kippur.

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Temple and Priesthood in Ancient Judaism

4th Century BCE–6th Century CE
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Priestly Roles and Rules in Early Texts

1st–3rd Centuries

Creator Bio

Josephus

37–100

Flavius Josephus was born into a prominent Jewish priestly family and served as a general stationed in the Galilee during the First Jewish Revolt (66–73 CE). He was captured by the Romans and eventually integrated into the Flavian imperial aristocracy, who commissioned him to compose chronicles of the Jewish–Roman war and the history of the Jews. Josephus’ works, all written in Greek, include The Jewish War, Jewish Antiquities, Against Apion, and his autobiography, Life of Josephus. These writings provide important insights into the Judaisms of the Second Temple period and include one of the few surviving accounts of the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE.

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