Topical Encyclopedia The role of the High Priest in the Old Testament is a profound typology of Jesus Christ, illustrating His divine appointment and mediatorial work. The High Priest was the supreme religious leader among the Israelites, responsible for performing sacrifices, entering the Holy of Holies, and interceding on behalf of the people. This sacred office was established by God and is detailed extensively in the Pentateuch, particularly in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers.Divine Appointment The High Priest was divinely appointed, a concept that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. Aaron, the brother of Moses, was the first to be consecrated as High Priest, as recorded in Exodus 28:1: "And bring near to you your brother Aaron and his sons with him from among the Israelites to serve Me as priests—Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar." This appointment was not based on personal merit but on God's sovereign choice, prefiguring Christ's own divine appointment as our eternal High Priest. Anointed for Service The High Priest was anointed with oil, symbolizing the Holy Spirit's empowerment for service. Leviticus 8:12 states, "He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him." This anointing set the High Priest apart for his sacred duties, just as Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit at His baptism (Matthew 3:16-17), marking the commencement of His public ministry and His role as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity. Mediator and Intercessor The High Priest served as a mediator between God and the Israelites, a role that Christ fulfills perfectly. Hebrews 5:1-5 explains, "Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins... So also Christ did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest, but He was called by the One who said to Him, 'You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.'" This passage highlights that Christ's priesthood was not self-assumed but divinely ordained, emphasizing His unique qualification to intercede for humanity. Sacrificial Role Central to the High Priest's duties was the offering of sacrifices, particularly on the Day of Atonement, when he entered the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16). This act foreshadowed Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Hebrews 9:11-12 declares, "But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands... He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption." Eternal Priesthood Unlike the Levitical priests, whose service was temporary and limited by death, Christ's priesthood is eternal. Hebrews 7:23-24 states, "Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office. But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood." This eternal priesthood underscores the sufficiency and permanence of Christ's mediatorial work, offering believers continual access to God. Conclusion The High Priest's role in the Old Testament serves as a profound typology of Christ, illustrating His divine appointment, anointing, mediatorial work, sacrificial role, and eternal priesthood. Through these typological elements, the Scriptures reveal the depth and richness of Christ's work as our ultimate High Priest, fulfilling the law and providing a new and living way to God. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 61:1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on me; because the LORD has anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; Torrey's Topical Textbook John 1:32-34 Library The Great High-Priest. Scriptural Types. The Epistle to the Hebrews Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals. The Two Covenants: their Relation The Typical Significance of the Scriptures Declare their Divine ... The Altar of Incense Faustus Willing to Believe not Only that the Jewish but that all ... Messiah Suffering and Wounded for Us Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ... 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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