In the Bible, the high priest held a central religious role in ancient Israelite society. As the highest-ranking member of the priestly class, the high priest served as the chief administrator of the sacrificial system centered around the Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem. The high priest also mediated between God and the people through various rituals and offerings. Here is an overview of the key aspects of the biblical high priest’s role and duties:
Mediator Between God and People
One of the high priest’s primary roles was to serve as a mediator between God and the Israelite people. On the annual Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the high priest would enter the Most Holy Place in the Tabernacle to make atonement for his own sins and the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:11-17). This was the only time during the year that anyone could enter the Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. The high priest served as a representative of the entire nation as he made sacrifices and offerings to atone for sins.
In addition to the Day of Atonement rituals, the high priest wore special vestments and a breastplate engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel whenever he entered God’s presence (Exodus 28:15-30). This symbolized his role as the mediator and intercessor for the entire nation of Israel before God.
Oversaw Temple Worship and Sacrifices
The high priest was in charge of overseeing the complex religious rituals centered around the Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem. He supervised the other priests and Levites in their duties, which included offering sacrifices, burning incense, performing purification rites, playing music, and tending to the lampstands and bread of the Presence (Exodus 27:20-21; Numbers 4:16).
The high priest was the only one allowed to enter the Most Holy Place and only on the Day of Atonement could he utter God’s name (YHWH) as he made atonement for Israel (Leviticus 16:2-3). The high priest also inspected the sacrifices to ensure they met the requirements of the law and performed important sacrificial duties like sprinkling blood on the altar (Leviticus 1:5-11).
In addition, the high priest wore special garments that set him apart and glorified his office as he carried out his duties (Exodus 28). These included a breastplate, ephod, robe, tunic, turban and sash.
Religious and Civil Leader
As the highest religious authority, the high priest also held an influential leadership position in ancient Israelite society alongside prophets and kings. The high priest represented continuity and stability as he supervised the priestly system through successive generations. People looked to him to teach God’s law and offer guidance concerning holy days, rituals, sacrifices, and matters of purity and holiness (Leviticus 10:10-11; Ezekiel 22:26).
At times throughout Israel’s history, most notably during the Second Temple period, the high priest also held political power and authority. For instance, the priestly Hasmonean dynasty ruled Judea from 152 to 63 BC. The high priest served as both religious leader and king during their reign.
Qualifications and Consecration
The high priest had to meet specific requirements to be consecrated into the office. According to Leviticus 21, he had to be free of any physical defects or disabilities. He also had to avoid ritual impurity from contact with dead bodies except in the case of close family members (Leviticus 21:10-12). In addition, the high priest could only marry a woman who was a virgin (Leviticus 21:13-14).
The Bible traces the hereditary priesthood back to Moses’ brother Aaron of the tribe of Levi (Exodus 28:1). Aaron and his descendants were set apart and consecrated to serve as priests. The high priest was generally the eldest living son of the priestly family. He served in office until his death (Numbers 20:22-29).
The consecration ceremony for the high priest lasted seven days and involved extensive offerings, rituals and ablutions (Leviticus 8). The purpose was to ceremonially cleanse and ordain the high priest to make atonement for the sins of the people as a mediator between God and Israel.
Garments of the High Priest
As part of his sacred office, the high priest wore special ceremonial garments that were prescribed by God and detailed in Exodus 28. These vestments set apart the high priest and glorified his ministry as he carried out his duties and entered God’s presence:
- The ephod – an apron-like garment with gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread and held together by shoulder straps. It had two engraved onyx stones on the shoulders inscribed with the names of the 12 tribes.
- The breastplate – square pouch made of embroidered fabric with 12 precious stones engraved with the names of the 12 tribes. Urim and Thummim stones inside for discerning God’s will.
- The robe – blue robe worn underneath the ephod.
- The tunic – linen garment worn under the robe.
- The sash – long embroidered sash wrapped around the waist.
- The turban – head covering made of linen wrapped with a gold plate engraving “Holiness to the Lord.”
These vestments visually represented the high priest’s role as mediator and intercessor for Israel before God. Their materials, colors and engravings symbolized consecration to the Lord as well as bearing the names of the 12 tribes.
Restrictions and Purity Laws
The high priest was held to stricter standards of ritual purity and holiness compared to ordinary priests and Israelites. God gave detailed laws restricting the high priest in Leviticus 21:16-24:
- He could not become ritually impure from contact with the dead, except for his closest relatives.
- He had to marry a virgin.
- He could not have any physical defects or disabilities.
- He could not enter the Most Holy Place while ritually impure.
These restrictions highlighted the sacred nature of the high priest’s mediating role between God and the people. He had to avoid anything that symbolized death, imperfection or impurity as he represented the people before the holy God.
Aaronic Priesthood and High Priests in the Bible
Here is an overview of some of the key high priests mentioned in the Old Testament as part of the Aaronic priestly line:
- Aaron – Brother of Moses and first high priest appointed by God (Exodus 28:1). Died on Mount Hor (Numbers 20:22-29).
- Eleazar – Aaron’s son and successor as high priest after Aaron’s death (Numbers 20:28). He oversaw the distribution of land (Joshua 14:1).
- Phinehas – Eleazar’s son. Stopped the plague sent by God (Numbers 25:7-13). Led the battle against the Midianites (Numbers 31:6).
- Eli – Served as both high priest and judge over Israel. His sons Hophni and Phinehas were wicked and disqualified from priesthood (1 Samuel 1-4).
- Ahimelech – High priest when Saul was king. Helped David by giving him consecrated bread and the sword of Goliath (1 Samuel 21:1-9). Killed by Saul (1 Samuel 22:11-18).
- Abiathar – Son of Ahimelech. Escaped Saul’s massacre and supported David during his exile from Saul. Remained loyal to David during Absalom’s rebellion (1 Samuel 22-2 Samuel 15).
- Zadok – Joined David after Saul’s death and served as high priest in Jerusalem. Remained loyal to David during Absalom’s revolt (2 Samuel 15:24-29). Anointed Solomon as king (1 Kings 1:38-40).
- Jehoiada – Father-in-law of King Joash. Led coup against wicked Queen Athaliah and installed Joash as rightful king (2 Kings 11). Had Joash repair the Temple (2 Kings 12:4-16).
- Azariah – Opposed King Uzziah for usurping priestly duties. Later made high priest by Uzziah’s son Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 26:16-23).
- Hilkiah – High priest who helped King Josiah renew the covenant and implement reforms (2 Kings 22-23, 2 Chronicles 34-35). Found the Book of the Law in the Temple.
- Ezra – Scribe and priest who led exiles back to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. Studied, practiced and taught the Law (Ezra 7-10).
This lineage of high priests served a vital role mediating God’s presence among the Israelite people until the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD. Jesus is presented in Hebrews as the new and greater High Priest in the order of Melchizedek whose sacrifice achieved eternal atonement.
Jesus Christ as the Greater High Priest
The entire book of Hebrews in the New Testament extensively compares and contrasts Jesus to the Aaronic high priests. While the old high priests offered repeated sacrifices that could not completely atone for sins, Jesus’ sacrificial death as the perfect High Priest achieved eternal redemption:
But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God…For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified (Hebrews 10:12, 14).
Other key ways Jesus serves as superior High Priest compared to the old covenant priests:
- Appointed by God with an everlasting priesthood (Hebrews 5:5-6, 7:23-25).
- Sinless and blameless sacrifice (Hebrews 7:26-27).
- Mediator of a better, new covenant based on his blood (Hebrews 8:6-7, 12:24).
- Entered the greater, heavenly tabernacle once for all (Hebrews 9:11-12, 24-26).
- Offered himself as the ultimate atoning sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 9:25-28).
- Source of eternal salvation as the eternal High Priest (Hebrews 5:8-10).
This extensive typology presents Jesus as the fulfillment of all that the old high priesthood foreshadowed. His atoning work accomplished what the repeated sacrifices of animals never could. Through Christ, believers have direct access to the throne of grace to find mercy and grace in their time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Conclusion
In summary, the high priest in ancient Israel held a prestigious, influential position as the top mediator between God and the people. His duties revolved around administering the sacrificial system and making atonement for sins on behalf of the nation. The elaborate consecration rituals and strict purity laws surrounding the high priestly office emphasized its sacred, set apart nature. While the old covenant high priests were imperfect and their sacrifices could not completely atone for sins, Jesus fulfilled the priestly role as the ultimate High Priest and perfect sacrifice. Through his shed blood, Jesus provided access to God for all who put their faith in Him.
