The High Priest
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The High Priest in ancient Israel held the most significant religious position within the Levitical priesthood, serving as the chief mediator between God and the people. This role was established by divine command and was integral to the religious and ceremonial life of the Israelites.

Biblical Foundation

The office of the High Priest was instituted by God through Moses, as recorded in the Book of Exodus. Aaron, the brother of Moses, was appointed as the first High Priest (Exodus 28:1). The High Priest was required to be a descendant of Aaron, ensuring a hereditary line within the tribe of Levi (Exodus 29:9).

Duties and Responsibilities

The High Priest had numerous responsibilities, primarily centered around the Tabernacle, and later the Temple. He was tasked with overseeing the sacrificial system, maintaining the sanctity of the holy places, and ensuring the proper conduct of worship. The most significant duty was performed on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), when the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sins of the nation (Leviticus 16:32-34). This was the only time anyone was permitted to enter the innermost sanctuary, and it was done with great solemnity and ritual.

Garments and Symbolism

The High Priest's garments were distinct and richly symbolic, as described in Exodus 28. They included the ephod, breastplate, robe, tunic, turban, and sash. The breastplate contained twelve stones, each representing one of the tribes of Israel, signifying the High Priest's role in bearing the people before God (Exodus 28:29). The turban bore a gold plate inscribed with "Holy to the LORD" (Exodus 28:36), emphasizing the consecration required for this sacred office.

Spiritual Significance

The High Priest served as a type of Christ, the ultimate High Priest, as articulated in the New Testament. The Epistle to the Hebrews expounds on this typology, presenting Jesus as the perfect High Priest who offers Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 4:14-16; 9:11-12). Unlike the Levitical High Priests, who needed to offer sacrifices repeatedly, Christ's sacrifice was once for all, providing eternal redemption.

Historical Context

Throughout Israel's history, the role of the High Priest evolved, especially during the Second Temple period. The office became increasingly politicized, particularly under foreign rule, such as during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. This led to instances of corruption and the appointment of High Priests by secular authorities, which deviated from the original divine mandate.

Key Figures

Several High Priests are notable in biblical history, including Aaron, the first High Priest; Eli, who served during the time of Samuel; and Caiaphas, who presided over the Sanhedrin during the trial of Jesus (John 18:13-14). Each played a significant role in the unfolding narrative of Israel's religious life.

Scriptural References

· Exodus 28:1-43: Instructions for the priestly garments and the consecration of Aaron and his sons.
· Leviticus 16:32-34: The High Priest's duties on the Day of Atonement.
· Hebrews 4:14-16: Jesus as the great High Priest.
· Hebrews 9:11-12: Christ's superior priesthood and sacrifice.

The High Priest's role was central to the covenant relationship between God and Israel, serving as a precursor to the ultimate mediation accomplished through Jesus Christ.
Subtopics

High

High Day

High Gate or Gate Of Benjamin

High Place

High Places

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: Arnon

High Places: Asa Destroys

High Places: Aven

High Places: Baal

High Places: Bamah

High Places: Built By Ahaz

High Places: Built By Jehoram

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: Built By Solomon

High Places: Destroyed: Asa, Partially

High Places: Destroyed: Hezekiah

High Places: Destroyed: Jehoshaphat

High Places: Destroyed: Josiah

High Places: Enchantments Used Upon

High Places: Gibeon

High Places: God Sometimes Worshipped On

High Places: Hezekiah Destroys

High Places: Jehoshaphat Destroys

High Places: Josiah 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

High Places: Tophet

High Places6813 Priest

High Priest

High Things

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

Lord'the (1 Occurrence)

Is'the (1 Occurrence)

The (669438 Occurrences)

Oak-the (1 Occurrence)

Saying'the (1 Occurrence)

Jok'the-el (1 Occurrence)

The-oph'ilus (2 Occurrences)

The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence)

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)

Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences)

Zin (9 Occurrences)

Zarephath (4 Occurrences)

Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences)

Vintage (14 Occurrences)

Kore (4 Occurrences)

Knives (12 Occurrences)

Zidonians (11 Occurrences)

Kareah (14 Occurrences)

Vegetation (18 Occurrences)

Kanah (3 Occurrences)

Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences)

Vicinity (18 Occurrences)

Zeboim (7 Occurrences)

Kadeshbarnea (9 Occurrences)

Kare'ah (14 Occurrences)

Volition

Kol

Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences)

Vashti (10 Occurrences)

Zabdi (17 Occurrences)

Knitted (9 Occurrences)

Kids (12 Occurrences)

Killeth (23 Occurrences)

Vial (12 Occurrences)

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)

Home-born (14 Occurrences)

Kingship (17 Occurrences)

Kadesh-barnea (9 Occurrences)

Zealot (4 Occurrences)

Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Victorious (17 Occurrences)

Zacchaeus (3 Occurrences)

Zenas (1 Occurrence)

Kneel (10 Occurrences)

Zachariah (6 Occurrences)

Kebar (8 Occurrences)

Kerethites (9 Occurrences)

Zeeb (3 Occurrences)

Zoheleth (1 Occurrence)

Zarethan (4 Occurrences)

Kinnereth (7 Occurrences)

Knowledge

Knelt (20 Occurrences)

Visible (12 Occurrences)

Zeus (3 Occurrences)

Ziph (9 Occurrences)

Zebadiah (9 Occurrences)

Zorah (10 Occurrences)

Kenite (9 Occurrences)

Kick (8 Occurrences)

Kedar (11 Occurrences)

Zichri (12 Occurrences)

Ko'rahites (6 Occurrences)

Zeru'iah (24 Occurrences)

Kei'lah (16 Occurrences)

24000 (10 Occurrences)

Vapor (6 Occurrences)

Vanished (13 Occurrences)

Verdict (7 Occurrences)

Violated (23 Occurrences)

Knop (4 Occurrences)

Visiting (10 Occurrences)

Zaphon (4 Occurrences)

Zephani'ah (10 Occurrences)

Zaccur (10 Occurrences)

Koz (5 Occurrences)

Kadmiel (8 Occurrences)

The High Places in the Cities of Samaria
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