Meaning of HIGH PRIEST

HIGH PRIESTHOOD. The high priest was the highest religious dignitary, representative of the nation before the Lord. Aaron was appointed to this position after the proclamation of the covenant at Sinai and the order to build the Tabernacle (Ex. 27:21; 28).

At first, Aaron had been only the spokesman, the "prophet" of Moses (Ex. 4:14-16; 7:1); he fulfilled the command about the cup of manna surely later (Ex. 16:33-34); He went up to Sinai with his sons and the elders of Israel (Ex. 24:1, 9).

Moses, at this time, was the only one admitted into the very presence of God, either on the mountain or in the tabernacle of testimony (Ex. 19:3, 19; 20:21; 24:12-18; 33:7 -11; 40:35).

But once the tabernacle was raised and ready to receive the sacrifices, a permanent priesthood became necessary.

Then Aaron was consecrated, along with his sons, purified, anointed, and clothed in priestly vestments (Lev. 8). Having offered the first sacrifices for himself, his house, and Israel, Aaron solemnly blessed the people (Lev. 9).

The Lord expressed his approval by manifesting his glory and consuming the offerings by fire from heaven (Lev. 9:23-24). The fact of the association of Aaron's sons with his father suggested that the latter's position would become hereditary (Ex. 28:43).

Eleazar, Aaron's son, actually came to succeed him (Num. 20:25-26). From then on, the legal head of the house of Aaron was invested with the high priesthood.

In the house of Aaron it is possible that the right of succession was given by the right of birthright, except if the successor was ruled out due to illness or mutilation provided for by the Law (Lev. 21:16-23).

Also, theocratic-political considerations often had a great influence on the election (1 Kings 2:26, 27, 35).

Tradition had set the age for beginning duties at 20 years; However, Aristobulus acceded to the high priesthood at the age of 17 (Ant. 15:3, 3). There were special laws that determined the conduct of the high priest (Lev. 21:1-15).

(a) Function. The most important function of the high priest was to make atonement once a year for all the sins of the people (see ATONEMENT, ATONEMENT [DAY OF THE]).

Carrying the atoning blood, protected by the cloud of perfume around him, he passed through the veil that separated the Holy place from the Holy of Holies, and stood before the mercy seat (see MERCHANTRY).

He made atonement for himself, for his house, for the sanctuary, and for all the people (Lev. 16:11-19). Then he would go out and confess all the iniquities of Israel on the head of the escaped goat, and the animal would be led into the wilderness, carrying the sins away from the presence of Jehovah (Lev. 16:20-22).

In all of this, Aaron acted as a type of Christ (see end of this article). In charge of the high priest was also the general supervision of the sanctuary, of those who carried out the service, and of the treasury (2 Kings 12:7 ff.; 22:4).

It was he who had to consult God through the Urim and Thummim (Ex. 28:30; Num. 27:21; Deut. 33:8). In addition to this, he had the right to exercise any priestly function.

He used to offer sacrifices on the Sabbath day, the new moon, and the annual festivals (Wars 5:5, 7). He presided over the Sanhedrin when this council had to debate religious issues (Mt. 26:57; Acts 5:21).

(b) his clothing. In addition to the tunic of fine white linen, the clothing of all priests, he had an official clothing consisting of: (A) The breastplate; square, made of gold, blue, purple, crimson thread, and fine twisted linen; It had four rows of three precious stones each, engraved, bearing the name of each tribe.

The Urim and the Thummim were found inside the breastplate (see URIM). (B) The ephod, a garment embroidered with colored threads, and made of the same precious fabric as the breastplate.

Its two pieces, which covered the back and chest, were joined at the shoulders by two onyx stones, each bearing the names of six tribes. The ephod, which had the breastplate in front, was tied around the waist with a belt woven from the same materials.

(C) The mantle of the ephod was longer than the ephod, and was worn underneath, all blue, sleeveless, adorned at its lower edge with pomegranates of blue, purple, crimson, and twisted linen alternating with bells of pure gold (see CHIMES).

(D) The miter was a turban of fine linen. In a later period there was another white headdress on top of the latter, crowned all by a triple gold crown.

The gold plate on which was engraved: HOLINESS TO JEHOVAH (Ex. 28; cf. Eclo. 45:8-13; Ant. 3:7, 16; 1 Mac. 10:20) was fixed with a blue cord. (See MITRA). The high priest dressed in this official clothing to fulfill his particular obligations.

(c) Consecration. For the consecration of the high priest, among other ceremonies, the anointing oil was poured on his head (Ex. 29: 7; Lev. 8:12; Ps. 133: 2); To characterize him, he is called an “anointed priest” (Lev. 4:3, 4, 16; 21:10; Num. 35:25).

The difference between the consecration of high priests and that of ordinary priests is not fully specified (Ex. 29:21; Lev. 8:30); but the tradition of the rabbis resides this distinction in the amount of oil that was used.

While it was poured abundantly on the head of the high priest, it was poured sparingly on that of an ordinary priest.

At first, the office of the high priest was for life, but Herod, and after him the Romans, jealous of the authority that could grant a position for life, appointed and dismissed them at will.

(d) Typology. Aaron was the type of Jesus in his office as high priest of the faith we profess (Heb. 3:1-3). Aaron, and his successors, were sinful men, and were forced to first make atonement for their own sins.

Furthermore, they could only offer animal sacrifices, unable to erase sins. Finally, they were mortal, and their priesthood was constantly interrupted.

In intense contrast, Christ is eternal in the manner of Melchizedek; absolutely blameless, he offered one efficacious sacrifice, living ever since, so that his untransmissible priesthood is sufficient to save us perfectly (Heb. 4:14-5:6; 7:21-8:6; 9 : 11-14; 10: 11-14).

Jesus, having pierced the veil and entered heaven itself with his own blood, now intercedes for us before the Father. From there he will return to give us eternal blessing (Heb. 9: 2428). (See HEBREWS (EPISTLE TO THE).) For the expression "chief priests,"