The role of the High Priest in the Bible is a significant and multifaceted position, deeply rooted in the religious, cultural, and social life of ancient Israel. The High Priest served as the chief religious leader and was central to the worship and sacrificial system established by God through Moses. This entry explores the various aspects of the High Priest's role, duties, and significance as outlined in the Scriptures.

Divine Appointment and Lineage

The High Priest was divinely appointed, beginning with Aaron, the brother of Moses, as the first High Priest. This appointment is recorded in Exodus 28:1: "Next, have your brother Aaron brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, so that they may serve Me as priests." The office of the High Priest was hereditary, passed down through Aaron's descendants, specifically from the tribe of Levi.

Sacrificial Duties

One of the primary responsibilities of the High Priest was to oversee the sacrificial system, which was central to Israel's worship. The High Priest was responsible for offering sacrifices on behalf of the people to atone for their sins. Leviticus 16 details the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the most significant day in the Jewish calendar, when the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies to make atonement for himself and the nation: "He shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and take its blood behind the veil, into the Holy of Holies. He is to sprinkle it on the mercy seat and in front of it" (Leviticus 16:15).

Intercessory Role

The High Priest also served as an intercessor between God and the people. He bore the names of the tribes of Israel on the breastpiece of judgment over his heart when he entered the Holy Place, symbolizing his role in representing the people before God (Exodus 28:29). This intercessory function foreshadowed the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who intercedes for believers before the Father (Hebrews 7:25).

Custodian of the Law

The High Priest was also a custodian of the Law, responsible for teaching and interpreting it to the people. He played a crucial role in maintaining the spiritual and moral standards of the nation. Malachi 2:7 highlights this aspect: "For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts."

Symbol of Holiness and Purity

The High Priest's garments, as described in Exodus 28, were elaborate and symbolic, signifying holiness and purity. The attire included the ephod, breastpiece, robe, tunic, turban, and sash, each with specific symbolic meanings. The golden plate on the turban, inscribed with "Holy to the LORD," emphasized the High Priest's role in maintaining the sanctity of worship and the community.

Judicial Authority

In addition to religious duties, the High Priest held a position of judicial authority. He was involved in making important decisions and judgments, particularly in cases that required divine guidance. Numbers 27:21 illustrates this role: "He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who will obtain decisions for him by inquiring of the Urim before the LORD."

Transition to the New Covenant

The role of the High Priest finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is described as the Great High Priest in the New Testament. Hebrews 4:14 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." Christ's once-for-all sacrifice and eternal intercession render the earthly high priesthood obsolete, as He mediates a new and better covenant.

The High Priest's role in the Old Testament was a vital component of Israel's religious life, serving as a mediator between God and His people, a custodian of the Law, and a symbol of holiness. Through the High Priest, the people of Israel were reminded of God's holiness, their need for atonement, and the promise of a coming Messiah who would fulfill the law and establish a new covenant.