Melchizedek’s priesthood. Although Noah officiated at the altar on behalf of his family, there is no specific mention of a “priest” as acting on behalf of men in their approach to God until Melchizedek’s time. Melchizedek’s priesthood was recognized by Abraham, who “gave him a tenth of everything.” (Ge 14:18-20) Melchizedek is presented as a prophetic type of Christ Jesus at Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17, 25.

Abraham’s position qualified him to make supplication even on behalf of others (Ge 20:7), yet his deep respect is always manifest before Jehovah’s presence or his representative. (Ge 17:3; 18:23-33) Job, a distant relative of Abraham, acted as priest for his family, offering up burnt sacrifices for them (Job 1:5), and made supplication on behalf of his three “companions,” and “Jehovah accepted Job’s face.”​—Job 42:7-9.

As God’s appointed representative in the nation of Israel, Moses had unique access to Jehovah’s presence during his life, as Jehovah spoke “mouth to mouth” with him. (Nu 12:6-13; Ex 24:1, 2, 12-18; 34:30-35) Moses, like Melchizedek, served as a prophetic type of Christ Jesus.​—De 18:15; Ac 3:20-23.

Importance of approved approach stressed. Prior to the giving of the Law covenant, Jehovah instructed the entire nation of Israel to sanctify themselves for three days, washing their clothes. Bounds for approach were set and no one, man or beast, was to touch the mountain of Sinai under penalty of death. (Ex 19:10-15) Moses then “brought the people out of the camp to meet the true God,” stationing them at the base of the mountain, and he ascended the mountain to receive the covenant’s terms amid the thunder and lightning, smoke and fire, and trumpet sounds. (Ex 19:16-20) Moses was ordered not to let “the priests and the people break through to come up to Jehovah, that he may not break out upon them.” (Ex 19:21-25) “The priests” here mentioned were perhaps a principal male of each family of Israel and as such would “regularly come near to Jehovah,” like Job, on behalf of the family.