Topical Encyclopedia The role of the High Priest in ancient Israel was a position of immense spiritual significance and responsibility, uniquely ordained by God. The High Priest served as the chief religious leader and was the only one permitted to enter the Most Holy Place, or Holy of Holies, in the Tabernacle and later the Temple, to make atonement for the sins of the people. This sacred office was established by divine command and was integral to the religious life of Israel.Divine Appointment and Anointing The High Priest was specially called and appointed by God, beginning with Aaron, the brother of Moses, as recorded in the Book of Exodus. God instructed Moses, "Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting and wash them with water. Then take the garments and clothe Aaron with the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod itself, and the breastpiece. Fasten the ephod on him by its skillfully woven waistband. Put the turban on his head and attach the holy diadem to the turban" (Exodus 29:4-6). This consecration ceremony underscored the divine selection and sanctification of the High Priest. Garments and Duties The High Priest wore distinctive garments that symbolized his holy office, including the ephod, breastplate, robe, tunic, turban, and sash. Each piece held symbolic meaning, reflecting the High Priest's role as mediator between God and the people. The breastplate, for instance, contained twelve stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel, signifying the High Priest's duty to bear the people before God. The primary duty of the High Priest was to perform the annual Day of Atonement rituals, as described in Leviticus 16. On this solemn day, he entered the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifices for his own sins and the sins of the nation. "He shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and take its blood behind the veil, into the Most Holy Place. He is to sprinkle it on the mercy seat and in front of it" (Leviticus 16:15). This act of atonement was central to maintaining the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The Lineage of Aaron The office of the High Priest was hereditary, passed down through the lineage of Aaron, as stipulated in the Mosaic Law. This hereditary succession ensured continuity in the priestly functions and preserved the sanctity of the office. The Book of Numbers reaffirms this divine ordinance: "Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him. They are to perform duties for him and for the whole community at the Tent of Meeting by doing the work of the tabernacle" (Numbers 3:6-7). The High Priest in the New Testament In the New Testament, the role of the High Priest is fulfilled and transcended in the person of Jesus Christ. The Epistle to the Hebrews presents Christ as the ultimate High Priest, who, unlike the Aaronic priests, offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice. "But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God" (Hebrews 10:12). Jesus' priesthood is described as being in the order of Melchizedek, emphasizing its eternal and superior nature. Significance and Legacy The High Priest's role was foundational to the religious and communal life of Israel, serving as a constant reminder of God's holiness and the need for atonement. The office pointed forward to the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who provides a new and living way to God. The High Priest's duties, garments, and lineage all underscore the divine calling and sacred responsibility inherent in this unique position, as ordained by God. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 28:1,2And take you to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons. Torrey's Topical Textbook Hebrews 5:4 Library A Soul Gazing on God Paul a Prisoner On Actual Sins Daniel Thirtieth Day. The Unction from the Holy One. Whether the Ceremonies of the Old Law are Suitably Divided into ... Of the Popish Mass. How it not Only Profanes, but Annihilates the ... John Chapter xi. Jan-54 The Epistle to the Hebrews Letter viii. To Demophilus, Therapeutes. About Minding Ones Own ... 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 The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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