Pagan Priests. The ancient nations had priests through whom they made approach to their gods. These men were reverenced by the people and always wielded great influence, generally being among the ruling class, or being close advisers to the rulers. The priesthood was the most educated class and generally held the people in ignorance. In this way they were able to prey on the superstition of the people and their fear of the unknown.

Disgusting practices of pagan priests. The Egyptian priests of Moses’ day opposed Moses before Pharaoh, trying to discredit Moses and his God Jehovah by the practice of magic. (Ex 7:11-13, 22; 8:7; 2Ti 3:8) But they were forced to bow in defeat and humiliation. (Ex 8:18, 19; 9:11) The worshipers of Molech of Ammon sacrificed their sons and daughters by burning them in the fire. (1Ki 11:5; 2Ki 23:10; Le 18:21; 20:2-5) Baal worshipers of the Canaanites followed the same detestable practice, also performing self-laceration and lewd, disgusting, immoral rites. (Nu 25:1-3; 1Ki 18:25-28; Jer 19:5) The priests of the Philistine god Dagon and the Babylonian priests of Marduk, Bel, and Ishtar practiced magic and divination. (1Sa 6:2-9; Eze 21:21; Da 2:2, 27; 4:7, 9) All of them worshiped images made of wood, stone, and metal.