Priests

Duties of the Priests

Although the duties of the hem-netcher were varied, they were also standard and consistent. The priest prepared offerings to the god and led processions and rituals devoted to the god. As keepers of the gates, they maintained order and discipline throughout the temple grounds, thus creating a spirit of piety. They were the only ones who could access the area of the divine image.

The high priest, or bem-netcber tepi, was in charge of the administration of large temples where there were many hem-netchers. This person was a high-ranking official usually associated with the per-aa (the pharaoh) in some respect. Variously, the high priests were the sons-in-law of the king, and at other times they were related to [Page 538]the royal family through blood. In effect, this was a political position of the highest stature. Thus, a vizier, next to the per-aa, might be seen running the post of high priest. No one wanted the high priest to fail in his responsibility because he was at the heart of the society, and those individuals who depended upon the proper administration of the temples, the per-aas, looked to the high priest for guidance.

Another function of the priest, at the level of wa'eb, was to clean the offering rooms and ensure that tools and equipment that would be used in ceremonies were clean and well placed so that the officiating priests would be able to find all the necessary accessories for the rituals. Actually, it was recommended that all priests learn the office of the wa'eb in the event that it became necessary for a higher ranking priest to perform the duties of the wa'eb. Making the ritual and ceremonial cloths and instruments ready for use became a major part of the priestly functions during the New Kingdom.

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