But the priests were too few, so that they were unable to skin all the burnt offerings; therefore their brothers the Levites helped them until the work was completed and until the other priests had consecrated themselves. For the Levites were more conscientious to consecrate themselves than the priests.The entire nation of Judah has brought sacrifices, for the first time in years. The Temple has just been sanctified after desecration and neglect, and sacrifices are starting again. With the entire people bringing sacrifices, the priests can't keep up. So the Levites are brought in to assist in duties they would otherwise not perform. The Levites have been careful to purity themselves, so they are ready when this call comes.
But one thing confuses me: why are the priests and Levites treated as separate groups here? Aren't the priests just a subset of the Levites? There are different roles that Levites might serve in, and priest is one of them. So why the separation? Are some of these priests not Levites? If so, why are they here at all? Or have the priests decided they're too good for the Levites, only to find that the Levites have been more faithful than they?
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