Topical Encyclopedia The office of the High Priest in ancient Israel holds significant importance within the religious and cultural framework of the Old Testament. The High Priest served as the chief religious leader, responsible for performing sacred rituals, particularly on the Day of Atonement, and acting as an intermediary between God and the people of Israel.Hereditary Nature of the Office The role of the High Priest was established as a hereditary position, originating from the line of Aaron, the brother of Moses. Aaron was appointed by God as the first High Priest, and his descendants were designated to inherit this sacred office. This hereditary succession is rooted in the divine command given to Moses, as recorded in the Book of Exodus: "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 with its woven waistband" (Exodus 29:4-5). The hereditary nature of the High Priesthood is further emphasized in the Book of Leviticus, where God instructs Moses regarding the consecration of Aaron and his sons: "The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest is to make atonement. He is to wear the sacred linen garments" (Leviticus 16:32). This passage underscores the expectation that the office would pass from father to son, maintaining the continuity of the priestly line. Duties and Responsibilities The High Priest held the highest religious authority among the Israelites and was entrusted with numerous responsibilities. Chief among these was the annual observance of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, during which the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people. This solemn duty is detailed in Leviticus 16, where the High Priest is instructed to make atonement for himself, his household, and the entire assembly of Israel. In addition to the Day of Atonement, the High Priest was responsible for overseeing the functions of the Tabernacle (and later the Temple), including the offering of daily sacrifices, maintaining the sacred fire on the altar, and ensuring the proper conduct of the priesthood. The High Priest also played a crucial role in interpreting the Law and providing spiritual guidance to the nation. Significance in Israelite Society The High Priest was not only a religious figure but also held a position of considerable influence within the broader society of Israel. As a spiritual leader, the High Priest was often consulted on matters of national importance and served as a symbol of the covenant between God and His people. The hereditary nature of the office reinforced the stability and continuity of religious leadership, ensuring that the sacred traditions and laws were preserved and passed down through generations. The lineage of the High Priesthood continued through the descendants of Aaron until the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD, marking the end of the traditional priestly functions. Despite this, the legacy of the High Priesthood remains a central element of Jewish history and theology, reflecting the enduring significance of the office as established in the Old Testament. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 29:29And the holy garments of Aaron shall be his sons' after him, to be anointed therein, and to be consecrated in them. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The High Priests of the Jews under whom Christ Taught. Acts IV Machinations of the Enemies of Jesus. The Copies of Things in the Heavens Appendix iv. An Abstract of Jewish History from the Reign of ... Entire Sanctification in Type. The Unjust Steward - Dives and Lazarus - Jewish Agricultural Notes ... Babylonia and Assyria The Genuine Acts of Peter. Matt. xxiv. 1, 2 Resources Why did Solomon worship at a high place? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a high Sabbath? | GotQuestions.org Did the high priest have a rope tied to him when he entered the Holy of Holies? | 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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