First, the Priesthood obviously was a function of men from the tribe of Levi.
(Though Melchizedek predated the Aaronic Priesthood)
So, the first argument is - was Samuel a Levite or not.
Then, though his parents dedicated him to God, was he actually called by God to be a priest?
I have Biblical scholars I trust on both sides of this issue who disagree.
One group says, "No, he was an Ephraimite, but he was a prophet, and sometimes the prophets took upon themselves certain aspects of the priesthood".
Another group says, "Samuel was from the tribe of Levi through his father, but was mentioned as an Ephrathite, just because of the geographical location only, and was a prophet AND a priest".
(Though Melchizedek predated the Aaronic Priesthood)
So, the first argument is - was Samuel a Levite or not.
Then, though his parents dedicated him to God, was he actually called by God to be a priest?
I have Biblical scholars I trust on both sides of this issue who disagree.
One group says, "No, he was an Ephraimite, but he was a prophet, and sometimes the prophets took upon themselves certain aspects of the priesthood".
Another group says, "Samuel was from the tribe of Levi through his father, but was mentioned as an Ephrathite, just because of the geographical location only, and was a prophet AND a priest".
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