23:9 did not come up to the altar of the Lord. Deut. 18:6–8 allows local priests the option of joining the staff of the central sanctuary. However, the uncertain ancestry of these priests may have rendered them unfit for this task (1 Kin. 12:31; 13:33). They could aspire to a secondary role in the temple service.

ate unleavened bread. The priests from the high places were allowed a portion of the priestly provisions (Lev. 2:10; 6:16–20).