Topical Bible: The High Priest: Worn at his Consecration: Descended to his Successors

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The role of the High Priest in ancient Israel was of paramount importance, serving as the chief religious leader and the primary mediator between God and the people. The High Priest's garments, worn at his consecration, were not only significant in their symbolism but also in their function, as they were passed down to his successors, ensuring continuity in the priestly office.

Consecration of the High Priest

The consecration of the High Priest was a sacred ceremony, detailed in the Book of Exodus. The garments worn during this consecration were divinely ordained, as God instructed Moses on Mount Sinai. These garments were designed "for glory and for beauty" (Exodus 28:2), signifying the dignity and sanctity of the office.

The High Priest's attire included several key components: the ephod, the breastpiece, the robe, the tunic, the turban, and the sash. Each piece held specific symbolic meanings and functions. The ephod, for instance, was made of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen, and it was adorned with two onyx stones engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel (Exodus 28:6-12). This represented the High Priest bearing the people of Israel before the Lord.

The breastpiece of judgment contained the Urim and Thummim, used for discerning God's will (Exodus 28:15-30). The robe of the ephod was entirely blue, with pomegranates and golden bells on its hem, signifying the fruitfulness and the sound of the High Priest's service (Exodus 28:31-35).

Descent to His Successors

The garments of the High Priest were not merely personal attire but were considered holy vestments, to be worn by successive High Priests. This practice ensured that the sanctity and the divine appointment of the office were maintained through generations. The Book of Leviticus outlines the process of passing these garments to the next High Priest, emphasizing the continuity of the priestly lineage: "The son who is to succeed him as priest and enter the Tent of Meeting to minister in the Holy Place is to wear them for seven days" (Leviticus 8:35).

The transfer of these garments symbolized the transfer of authority and responsibility. It was a tangible reminder of the enduring covenant between God and Israel, as well as the perpetual nature of the priestly service. The High Priest, clothed in these sacred garments, stood as a living representation of the people's relationship with God, a role that was to be preserved and honored by each successor.

Significance in Israel's Religious Life

The High Priest's garments, worn at consecration and passed down through generations, were integral to the religious life of Israel. They were a constant reminder of the holiness required of those who served in the presence of God and the sacred duty of the High Priest to intercede on behalf of the people. The continuity of these garments underscored the unbroken line of priestly service, reflecting the eternal nature of God's covenant with His chosen people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 29:29
And 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

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... the listening crowd with wonder: "The high places of ... that Hosea must have been a
priest from the ... independence had exhausted their resources and worn out the ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
... the lion can now be traced in his weather-worn body ... to set out to war, to forbid
him risking his life in ... with the dreams of Sabaco and of the high priest Sethos ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm