Topical Bible: The High Priest was Called: God's High Priest

Bible > Topical > The High Priest was Called

◄ The High Priest was Called: God's High Priest ►

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

Topical Encyclopedia

The role of the High Priest in ancient Israel was a position of immense spiritual significance and authority, serving as the primary mediator between God and His people. The High Priest was often referred to as "God's High Priest," emphasizing the divine appointment and sacred duties associated with the office.

Biblical Foundation

The institution of the High Priesthood is rooted in the Mosaic Law, where Aaron, the brother of Moses, was appointed as the first High Priest. This appointment is detailed in the Book of Exodus: "Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests" (Exodus 28:1). The High Priest was consecrated to serve in the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, performing sacrifices and rituals to atone for the sins of the people.

Duties and Responsibilities

The High Priest held the highest religious office in Israel and was responsible for overseeing the priestly functions, maintaining the sanctity of the Temple, and ensuring the proper conduct of worship. One of the most significant duties was entering the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) to offer sacrifices for the atonement of the nation's sins. Leviticus 16:32-34 describes this solemn responsibility: "The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest is to make atonement. He is to put on the sacred linen garments and make atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting, and the altar, and for the priests and all the people of the assembly."

Symbolism and Significance

The High Priest served as a living symbol of the covenant between God and Israel. His garments, described in detail in Exodus 28, were rich with symbolism, representing purity, holiness, and the twelve tribes of Israel. The breastplate, adorned with twelve stones, signified the High Priest's role in bearing the people before God.

The Messianic Fulfillment

In Christian theology, the role of the High Priest finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is considered the eternal High Priest. The Epistle to the Hebrews elaborates on this theme, presenting Christ as the perfect mediator of a new covenant: "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, that is to say, not a part of this creation" (Hebrews 9:11). Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection are seen as the ultimate atonement for sin, rendering the old sacrificial system obsolete.

Historical Context

Throughout Israel's history, the High Priesthood was a hereditary position, passed down through the line of Aaron. However, during the Second Temple period, political influences often affected the appointment of the High Priest, leading to instances of corruption and deviation from the original divine mandate.

Conclusion

The High Priest, as God's appointed mediator, played a crucial role in the spiritual life of Israel, embodying the holiness and justice of God while interceding for the people. This office, with its rich symbolism and profound responsibilities, points to the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who fulfills and transcends the ancient priestly system.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 23:4
And they that stood by said, Revile you God's high priest?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The High Priest's Prayer
... THE HIGH PRIEST'S PRAYER. ... The disciples are not now called 'them that should believe
on Me,' but ... which He had in the pouring out on Him of God's love 'before ...
/.../the high priests prayer.htm

The Great High-Priest.
... But the Epistle to the Hebrews teaches that God appoints a high-priest. ... which no
man takes upon himself, but accepts when called thereunto by God.[79 ...
/.../chapter iv the great high-priest.htm

Concerning John of Gischala. Concerning the Zealots and the High ...
... die before I had seen the house of God full of ... the vestments of the high priesthood,
and am called by that most venerable name [of high priest], still live ...
/.../chapter 3 concerning john of.htm

Epistle Lxiv. To Rogatianus, Concerning the Deacon who Contended ...
... that humility which taught us also to be humble, He still called him a priest whom
He ... blow, and it was said to Him, "Answerest thou the high priest so?" He ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxiv to rogatianus concerning.htm

God's Providence
... discard all the dignities and privileges of a high priest and become ... work together
for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to ...
/.../chapter vi gods providence.htm

Ninth Day. Holiness and Mediation.
... the bells of the horses, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.' The high priest's motto shall ... O my
God and Father ... way and Thy grace is with those whom Thou hast called 'Holy in ...
/.../murray/holy in christ/ninth day holiness and mediation.htm

All the Apostles Urge the Observance of the Order of the Church.
... offer sacrifice without the prophet and high priest Samuel, [3758 ... and he that madly
coveted after the high-priesthood was ... 3760] but he only who is called of God ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec v all the apostles urge.htm

Epistle Lxviii. To Florentius Pupianus, on Calumniators.
... 1. Cyprian, who is also called Thascius, [2784] to ... Although the Lord God says in
Deuteronomy, "And the ... to Him, "Answerest thou the high priest so?" guarding ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxviii to florentius pupianus.htm

God's Love Magnified in Christ's Death.
... Ho could not keep silence before the High Priest, unless He meant ... this universal
lot, to which He was called by the ... in which the faith in the Son of God had to ...
/.../selected sermons of schleiermacher/xxii gods love magnified in.htm

The Character of Christ's People
... a thing as being "not of the world," from a high order of ... No; he will say, "I am
a priest unto my God. The office unto which I am called, is to be the salt of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the character of christs people.htm