Nurmela investigates the development of the priesthood in ancient Israel as reflected in the Old Testament. The emergence of the Levites as a second-class priesthood is studied, particularly Ezekial 44 which describes the Levites' subordination to the Zadokite priests, because of their participation in an illegitimate worship. These Levites were descendants of the priests of Bethel, the national sanctuary of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which no longer existed. King Josiah's reform resulted in their being incorporated into the priesthood of Jerusalem, but as a clerus minor.
