The term "high-priestly" pertains to the role, duties, and significance of the high priest in the religious and ceremonial life of ancient Israel, as outlined in the Old Testament. The high priest was the chief religious leader and held a position of great authority and responsibility within the Levitical priesthood, which was established by God through Moses.

Biblical Foundation and Role

The high priesthood was instituted by God as part of the covenantal relationship with Israel. Aaron, the brother of Moses, was appointed as the first high priest (Exodus 28:1). The high priest was responsible for overseeing the tabernacle (and later the temple) worship, performing sacrifices, and representing the people before God. The high priest wore special garments, including the ephod, breastplate, and turban, which signified his sacred duties (Exodus 28:4-39).

One of the most significant responsibilities of the high priest was to enter the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) to make atonement for the sins of the people. Leviticus 16:32-34 describes this solemn duty: "The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest is to make atonement. He is to put on the sacred linen garments and make atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting, and the altar, and for the priests and all the people of the assembly."

Symbolism and Typology

The high priest served as a mediator between God and the Israelites, prefiguring the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ. The New Testament book of Hebrews elaborates on this typology, presenting Jesus as the perfect and eternal High Priest. Hebrews 4:14-15 states, "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin."

High Priestly Prayer

The term "high-priestly" is also associated with Jesus' prayer in John 17, often referred to as the High Priestly Prayer. In this prayer, Jesus intercedes for His disciples and all future believers, asking for their protection, unity, and sanctification. John 17:1-3 records, "When Jesus had spoken these words, He lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, 'Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You. For You granted Him authority over all humanity, so that He may give eternal life to all those You have given Him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.'"

Historical Context and Transition

The high priesthood continued through the Second Temple period, with figures such as Caiaphas playing a role in the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion (Matthew 26:57). However, with the destruction of the Second Temple in AD 70, the traditional high priestly functions ceased. The New Testament emphasizes that Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection fulfilled and surpassed the old covenant priesthood, establishing a new covenant through His eternal priesthood (Hebrews 7:23-28).

In summary, the high-priestly role in the Bible is rich with theological significance, pointing to the ultimate mediation and atonement accomplished by Jesus Christ, the eternal High Priest.748. archieratikos -- high-priestly
... high-priestly. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: archieratikos Phonetic
Spelling: (ar-khee-er-at-ee-kos') Short Definition: high priestly, to which the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/748.htm - 6k

4892. sunedrion -- a sitting together, hence a council, spec. the ...
... a of leading Jews (Mk 13:9, Mt 10:17), or the (Aramaic form of ), , composed of
71 members comprising members of: high-priestly families, Pharisees learned in ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4892.htm - 8k

The Cleansing of the Temple - the Sign,' which is not a Sign.
... their orders' to minister in the Temple, but the permanent priestly officials, the
resident leaders of the priesthood, and especially the High-Priestly family. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v the cleansing of.htm

The Essence of Prayer.
... There is a great difference between the high-priestly prayer of the Lord Jesus and
the prayer of the Holy Spirit with groans that can not be uttered. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxix the essence of prayer.htm

Twenty-Seventh Lesson. Father, I Will;'
... We have understood that to pray in His Name is to pray in perfect unity with Himself:
the high-priestly prayer will teach all that the prayer in the Name of ...
/.../with christ in the school of prayer/twenty-seventh lesson father i will.htm

Jesus the Scapegoat.
... In the strange irony of events he was unconsciously using his high-priestly office
to lead forward that one Sacrifice which was for ever to take away sin, and ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xxiv jesus the scapegoat.htm

Twenty-Eighth Lesson. Father! not what I Will;'
... way through the rent veil. The high-priestly Father! I will,' in order of
time precedes the sacrificial Father! Not what I will;' but ...
/.../with christ in the school of prayer/twenty-eighth lesson father not what.htm

The Personal History of Herod - the Two Worlds in Jerusalem.
... The great-grandson of so noble a figure in Jewish history as Simon the Just (compare
Ecclus.1.) bought from the Syrians the High-Priestly office of his brother ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ii the personal history.htm

The Love of the Departing Christ
... the upper chamber there ensued the marvellous act of the foot-washing, the marvellous
discourses which follow, and the climax of all, that High-priestly prayer ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the love of the departing.htm

Under the Olive Trees.
... It is really, therefore, a sort of specimen of the praying for us in which He is
now engaged, and so is commonly called the intercessory or high-priestly prayer ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/under the olive trees.htm

The Lord's Prayer.
... of Aberdeen, outlines this remarkable prayer as follows: "The chapter on which we
now enter contains what is generally known as our Lord's High-priestly Prayer ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the lords prayer.htm

It is Shown How this Prophecy Suits the Christians.
... first-begotten Son, of the filthy garments, ie, of our sins; and being vehemently
inflamed by the word of His calling, we are the true high priestly race of God ...
/.../chapter cxvi it is shown how.htm

Sodomite (1 Occurrence)
... Hebrews 7:1). 2. The Priesthood and High-Priesthood of Jesus Christ: Only in Hebrews
is the activity of Jesus set forth as priestly and high-priestly, but in ...
/s/sodomite.htm - 101k

Prayers (99 Occurrences)
... 1. The Lord's Prayer 2. Christ's Doctrine of Prayer: Sacredness, Importunity,
Conditions 3. Prayers Offered by Christ (1) The High-priestly Prayer (2) The ...
/p/prayers.htm - 51k

Priesthood (30 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 7:1). 2. The Priesthood and High-Priesthood of Jesus Christ: Only in Hebrews
is the activity of Jesus set forth as priestly and high-priestly, but in ...
/p/priesthood.htm - 40k

High-priestly (2 Occurrences)
High-priestly. High-priesthood, High-priestly. High-sounding .
Multi-Version Concordance High-priestly (2 Occurrences). ...
/h/high-priestly.htm - 7k

Intercession (12 Occurrences)
... Christ's high-priestly prayer is the sublimest height of prayer to God and is
intercessory throughout (John 17); John 16:26 does not, as some have held, deny ...
/i/intercession.htm - 52k

Testaments
... satrap. As a matter of course, the high-priestly office became the object
of all Jewish ambition and it aroused the darkest passions. ...
/t/testaments.htm - 35k

Between (2624 Occurrences)
... satrap. As a matter of course, the high-priestly office became the object
of all Jewish ambition and it aroused the darkest passions. ...
/b/between.htm - 36k

Ornament (23 Occurrences)
... Ornaments in general would include finely embroidered or decorated fabrics, such
as the priest's dress or the high-priestly attire, and the richly wrought veil ...
/o/ornament.htm - 17k

Gerizim (4 Occurrences)
... In consequence of the dispute which arose over the marriage of Manasseh, who belonged
to the high-priestly family, with a daughter of Sanballat the Horonite ...
/g/gerizim.htm - 14k

Members (54 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Acts 4:6 with Annas the High Priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander,
and the other members of the high-priestly family. (WEY). ...
/m/members.htm - 21k

What is Jesus' High Priestly Prayer? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that Jesus is our High Priest? | GotQuestions.org

What was the biblical role of the high priest? | GotQuestions.org

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