Topical Bible: The High Priest: Office of, Made Annual by the Romans

Bible > Topical > The High Priest

◄ The High Priest: Office of, Made Annual by the Romans ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The office of the High Priest in ancient Israel was a position of significant religious and political authority, central to the spiritual life of the nation. The High Priest was the chief religious leader, responsible for performing sacrifices, entering the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement, and serving as an intermediary between God and the people of Israel. The role was established by divine command, with Aaron, the brother of Moses, being the first to hold the office (Exodus 28:1).

Biblical Background

The High Priest was traditionally a lifelong position, passed down through the lineage of Aaron, as outlined in the Torah. The High Priest wore special garments, including the ephod, breastplate, and turban, as described in Exodus 28. The most solemn duty of the High Priest was to enter the Holy of Holies once a year on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:32-34).

Changes Under Roman Rule

With the Roman conquest of Judea in the first century B.C., significant changes were imposed on the governance of the region, including the administration of the High Priesthood. The Romans, seeking to maintain control over the Jewish population, altered the traditional structure of the office. The position of High Priest, once held for life, became subject to annual appointment by the Roman authorities or their appointed local rulers, such as Herod the Great and his successors.

This shift in the appointment process was a significant departure from the biblical tradition. The Romans used the office as a political tool, often selecting High Priests who were sympathetic to Roman interests or who could be easily influenced. This led to a period of instability and frequent changes in the High Priesthood, as seen in the New Testament era.

New Testament Context

During the time of Jesus, the High Priesthood was marked by political maneuvering and corruption. The Gospels and Acts mention several High Priests, including Annas and Caiaphas, who played pivotal roles in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus (John 18:13-24, Matthew 26:57). Caiaphas, in particular, served as High Priest from A.D. 18 to 36, a notably long tenure during this period of frequent turnover, indicating his political acumen and ability to navigate the complexities of Roman rule.

The New Testament reflects the tension between the traditional religious role of the High Priest and the political realities of Roman occupation. Hebrews 9:7-8 highlights the limitations of the earthly High Priesthood, contrasting it with the eternal priesthood of Jesus Christ, who entered the heavenly sanctuary once for all.

Impact on Jewish Society

The Roman manipulation of the High Priesthood had profound effects on Jewish society. It contributed to the growing disillusionment with the religious leadership among the Jewish populace, as many viewed the High Priests as collaborators with the occupying forces. This discontent is evident in the writings of contemporary Jewish historians, such as Josephus, who documented the corruption and political machinations of the period.

The annual appointment of the High Priest by the Romans underscores the broader theme of foreign domination and the loss of religious autonomy experienced by the Jewish people during this era. Despite these challenges, the hope for a divinely appointed and eternal High Priest persisted, ultimately fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ, as articulated in the New Testament.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 11:49-51
And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said to them, You know nothing at all,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 4:6
And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Sanhedrim in Session.
... a crafty, powerful, unscrupulous man, who was high priest in all ... ad18 to ad36, an
unusual tenure of office in those times when the Romans made and unmade ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the sanhedrim in session.htm

Machinations of the Enemies of Jesus.
... But they seem to think that Jesus made it by coming from Galilee to Jerusalem ... He
was still called "high priest," although he was out of office,[2] and he ...
/.../renan/the life of jesus/chapter xxii machinations of the.htm

Caiaphas
... that year' should such a person fill such an office! 'Being high priest he prophesied ...
of this unworthy, selfish, unspiritual, unscrupulous, cruel priest so used ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/caiaphas.htm

The Work of Christ.
... first passage tells of the propitiation He made for the ... fitted while on earth for
this great office work. ... He can be a merciful and faithful high priest and as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the work of christ/ii the work of christ.htm

John Chapter xi. Jan-54
... resided the supreme power, was infirmity made use of at ... according to the custom of
the priest's office, his lot ... for it was lawful for the high priest alone to ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xlix john chapter xi.htm

The New Covenant.
... 186] The offering, it is true, was made by Christ ... Moreover, if He fills the office
of Priest in heaven ... The entering of the high-priest into the holiest place ...
/.../chapter viii the new covenant.htm

Appendix iv. An Abstract of Jewish History from the Reign of ...
... land over which Hyrcanus II., as High-Priest, was left ... xiv.5.2-4). The office of
Hyrcanus was now ... cause of the victor of Pharsalus, but made himself eminently ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix iv an abstract of.htm

Alexandria and Rome - the Jewish Communities in the Capitals of ...
... least, very doubtful, whether the High-Priest at Leontopolis ... 282] Another, probably
Roman, office, though for ... and emigrated under an apostate priest, Moses; or ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v alexandria and rome.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... The high-priest was the equal and the director of the king, and the king himself
was a priest, and the ... privilege of sharing with the king the office of limmu ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

Notes
... the crib, recognise the Master and be made worthy of ... and it has passed into the Office
for Epiphany ... in the frankincense, consider the great high priest: in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/notes.htm