Topical Encyclopedia The role of the High Priest in ancient Israel was a position of significant religious authority and responsibility, serving as the chief religious leader and the primary mediator between God and the people of Israel. The High Priest was a central figure in the religious life of the Israelites, particularly in the context of the Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem.Biblical Origins and Appointment The office of the High Priest was established by God through Moses, with Aaron, the brother of Moses, being appointed as the first High Priest (Exodus 28:1). The High Priest was to come from the tribe of Levi, specifically from the descendants of Aaron, as outlined in the book of Exodus: "Have your brother Aaron, with his sons, come to you from among the Israelites to serve Me as priests—Aaron and his sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar" (Exodus 28:1). Duties and Responsibilities The High Priest had numerous duties, the most significant of which was performing the rituals on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). On this day, the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies, the innermost part of the Tabernacle or Temple, to offer sacrifices for the atonement of the sins of the people. Leviticus 16 provides a detailed account of these duties: "He shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and take its blood behind the veil. He is to do with that blood as he did with the bull’s blood: He is to sprinkle it against the mercy seat and in front of it" (Leviticus 16:15). The High Priest also wore special garments, which included the ephod, breastplate, robe, tunic, turban, and sash, each with symbolic significance (Exodus 28:4-39). These garments were designed to reflect the holiness and dignity of the office. Symbolism and Typology The High Priest served as a type of Christ, the ultimate High Priest, who would offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of humanity. The Epistle to the Hebrews in the New Testament elaborates on this typology, stating, "But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands, that is, not of this creation" (Hebrews 9:11). Historical Context Throughout Israel's history, the role of the High Priest evolved, especially during the Second Temple period. The High Priest became not only a religious leader but also a political figure, particularly under foreign rule. The Hasmonean dynasty, for example, combined the roles of king and High Priest, which was a departure from the original Levitical priesthood. Notable High Priests Several High Priests are mentioned in the Bible, each playing a role in Israel's history. Aaron, the first High Priest, is noted for his leadership during the Exodus. Eli, another High Priest, served during the time of Samuel and is known for his failure to restrain his sons (1 Samuel 2:12-17). Caiaphas, the High Priest during the time of Jesus, played a pivotal role in the events leading to the crucifixion (John 18:13-14). Conclusion The High Priest was a vital figure in the religious and communal life of Israel, serving as a mediator between God and His people. The office foreshadowed the coming of Jesus Christ, the ultimate High Priest, who fulfilled the sacrificial system through His death and resurrection, providing eternal atonement for sin. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia High PriestHIGH PRIEST See PRIEST, HIGH. Greek 749. archiereus -- high priest ... high priest. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: archiereus Phonetic Spelling: (ar-khee-er-yuce') Short Definition: high priest, chief priest ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/749.htm - 7k 3124. Malchos -- Malchus, a slave of the high priest 452. Hannas -- Annas, a high priest 2533. Kaiaphas -- Caiaphas, an Israelite high priest 748. archieratikos -- high-priestly 2409. hiereus -- a priest 367. Ananias -- Ananias, the name of three Israelites 2369. thumiaterion -- altar of incense, a censer 223. Alexandros -- Alexander, a son of Simon of Cyrene, also a ... Strong's Hebrew 224. Urim -- part of the high priest's breastplate... 223b, 224. Urim. 225 . part of the high priest's breastplate. Transliteration: Urim Phonetic Spelling: (oo-reem') Short Definition: Urim. Word Origin pl. ... /hebrew/224.htm - 6k 4701. mitsnepheth -- turban (of the high priest) 3443. Yeshua -- a high priest after the Bab. captivity 8537. tom -- completeness, integrity, also part of the high ... 6472. paamon -- bell (on high priest's robe) 3087. Yehotsadaq -- "the LORD is righteous," father of Joshua the ... 5941. Eli -- a priest at Shiloh 8550. Tummim -- Thummim 646. ephod -- an ephod 7218. rosh -- head Library Conversion of a High Priest into a Christian Worker The Trial Before the High Priest. Christ Our High Priest. The Great High Priest The Great High-Priest. In the High Priest's Palace Our Compassionate High Priest The Real High Priest and his Counterfeit The High Priest's Prayer April 23. "An High Priest Touched with the Feeling of Our ... Resources What does it mean that Jesus is our High Priest? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is meant by High Church and Low Church? | GotQuestions.org What is Jesus' High Priestly Prayer? | GotQuestions.org High: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics High Places of the Canaanites to be Destroyed High Places used for Idolatrous Worship High Places: A Term Used to Describe Places of Worship High Places: Adorned With Tapestry High Places: Built By Jeroboam High Places: Built By Manasseh High Places: Built By People of Israel High Places: Built By People of Judah High Places: Destroyed: Asa, Partially High Places: Destroyed: Hezekiah High Places: Destroyed: Jehoshaphat High Places: Destroyed: Josiah High Places: Enchantments Used Upon High Places: God Sometimes Worshipped On High Places: Hezekiah Destroys High Places: Jehoshaphat Destroys High Places: Licentious Practices At High Places: Not Removed: Amaziah High Places: Not Removed: Azariah High Places: Not Removed: Jehoash High Places: Not Removed: Jotham High Places: Priests Ordained For High Places: Sacrifices and Incense offered to Idols Upon High Places: Signify a Place of Idolatrous Worship High Places: Surrounded With Groves High Places: The Idolatrous, to be Destroyed High Places: The Jews: Built, in all Their Streets High Places: The Jews: Built, in Their Cities High Places: The Jews: Condemned for Building High Places: The Jews: Provoked God With High Places: The Jews: Punished For High Places: The Jews: Threatened With Destruction of The High Priest was Called: God's High Priest The High Priest was Called: Ruler of the People The High Priest was Called: The Priest The High Priest were for Beauty and Ornament The High Priest: Assisted by a Deputy The High Priest: Consecrated to his office The High Priest: Duties of Appointing Priests to offices The High Priest: Duties of Bearing Before the Lord the Names of Israel for a Memorial The High Priest: Duties of Blessing the People The High Priest: Duties of Consecrating the Levites The High Priest: Duties of Enquiring of God by Urim and Thummim The High Priest: Duties of Lighting the Sacred Lamps The High Priest: Duties of Making Atonement in the Most Holy Place Once a Year The High Priest: Duties of Offering Gifts and Sacrifices The High Priest: Duties of Presiding in the Superior Court The High Priest: Duties of Taking Charge of Money Collected in the Sacred Treasury The High Priest: Duties of Taking the Census of the People The High Priest: Family of Eli Degraded from office of, for Bad Conduct The High Priest: Forbidden to Mourn for Any The High Priest: Inferior to Christ in Being Made Without an Oath The High Priest: Inferior to Christ in Being of the Order of Aaron The High Priest: Inferior to Christ in Entering Into Holiest Every Year The High Priest: Inferior to Christ in Needing to Make Atonement for his own Sins The High Priest: Inferior to Christ in not Being Able to Continue The High Priest: Inferior to Christ in Offering oftentimes the Same Sacrifices The High Priest: Made by Divine Wisdom Given to Bezaleel The High Priest: Needed to Sacrifice for Himself The High Priest: Next in Rank to the King The High Priest: Office of, Made Annual by the Romans The High Priest: Office of, Promised to the Posterity of Phinehas for his Zeal The High Priest: Often Exercised Chief Civil Power The High Priest: Sometimes Deposed by the Kings The High Priest: Sometimes Enabled to Prophesy The High Priest: Special Garments of Breastplate The High Priest: Special Garments of Broidered Coat The High Priest: Special Garments of Ephod With Its Curious Girdle The High Priest: Special Garments of Girdle The High Priest: Special Garments of Linen Mitre The High Priest: Special Garments of Plate or Crown of Gold The High Priest: Special Garments of Robe of the Ephod The High Priest: Specially Called of God The High Priest: The Deputy of Called the Second Priest The High Priest: The Deputy of had Oversight of the Levites The High Priest: The Deputy of had Oversight of the Tabernacle The High Priest: The office of, Hereditary The High Priest: To be Tender and Compassionate The High Priest: To Marry a Virgin of Aaron's Family The High Priest: Typified Christ in Alone Entering Into Most Holy Place The High Priest: Typified Christ in Bearing the Names of Israel Upon his Heart The High Priest: Typified Christ in Being Called of God The High Priest: Typified Christ in Being Liable to Temptation The High Priest: Typified Christ in Blessing The High Priest: Typified Christ in Compassion and Sympathy for the Weak and Ignorant The High Priest: Typified Christ in His Appointment The High Priest: Typified Christ in His Title The High Priest: Typified Christ in Holiness of office The High Priest: Typified Christ in Interceding The High Priest: Typified Christ in Making Atonement The High Priest: Typified Christ in Marrying a Virgin The High Priest: Typified Christ in Performing by Himself all the Services on Day of Atonement The High Priest: Typified Christ in Splendid Dress The High Priest: Wore the Ordinary Priest's Garments when Making Atonement In The High Priest: Worn at his Consecration The High Priest: Worn at his Consecration: Descended to his Successors The High Priest: Worn at his Consecration: Worn Seven Days After Consecration Related Terms |
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