In the religious life of ancient Israel, the high priest was the supreme religious figure who acted as the primary mediator between God and the people. While many priests served in the Temple, only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement to offer sacrifices for the sins of the nation. This role was a position of immense spiritual authority that pointed forward to the ultimate work of Jesus Christ.
The Origin and Lineage of the High Priest
God established the office of the high priest during the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. He chose Aaron, the brother of Moses, to be the first high priest. This office was designed to be hereditary, meaning it passed down through the male descendants of Aaron’s family within the tribe of Levi. God gave specific instructions for the consecration of these men, setting them apart from the rest of the community through unique rituals and clothing.
The high priest represented the entire nation before God. Because of this, the requirements for the office were incredibly strict. He had to maintain a higher level of ritual purity than other priests or common citizens. For example, he was forbidden from mourning the dead or coming into contact with a corpse, even that of a close relative. These rules emphasized that the high priest served a holy God who is the source of all life.
The Unique Duties of the High Priest
While ordinary priests performed daily sacrifices and maintained the Temple grounds, the high priest held responsibilities that no one else could fulfill. His most significant duty occurred on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. On this day, the high priest removed his ornate robes, washed himself, and put on simple white linen clothing. He then entered the Most Holy Place, the innermost chamber of the Tabernacle or Temple, to sprinkle blood on the Ark of the Covenant.
This act was the only time anyone was permitted to enter the immediate presence of God’s glory. The high priest made atonement first for his own sins and then for the sins of all the people of Israel. Beyond this annual ritual, the high priest also served as a spiritual leader and a judge. He often used the Urim and Thummim—sacred objects kept in his breastpiece—to discern the will of God when the nation faced difficult decisions.
The Symbolic Garments of the Office
The high priest wore distinctive clothing that set him apart and carried deep symbolic meaning. These “garments of splendor and beauty” included a blue robe, an ephod (a vest-like garment), and a breastpiece set with twelve precious stones. Each stone was engraved with the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. This meant that whenever the high priest went into the presence of the Lord, he literally carried the names of the people on his heart.
“In this way, Aaron will carry the names of the tribes of Israel on the sacred breastpiece over his heart when he enters the Holy Place. This will be a continual reminder that he represents the people when he comes before the Lord.” (Exodus 28:29)
He also wore a special turban with a gold plate fastened to the front. The plate was engraved with the words “Holy to the Lord.” This served as a constant reminder of the high priest’s primary mission: to maintain the holiness required to stand in God’s presence on behalf of a sinful people.
The Political Shift in the New Testament
By the time of the New Testament, the nature of the high priesthood had changed significantly due to Roman occupation. The office was no longer strictly hereditary or lifelong as God originally intended. Instead, Roman authorities often appointed or removed high priests based on political loyalty. This led to a period where multiple men might be called “high priest” at the same time, such as Annas and Caiaphas during the trial of Jesus.
During the life of Jesus, the high priest also served as the head of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish supreme court. While the office still held religious significance, it had become deeply entangled with power struggles and corruption. This tension is evident in the Gospels, where the religious establishment viewed Jesus as a threat to their authority and status. Despite this human failing, the theological purpose of the office remained a central part of the Jewish faith.
Jesus as Our Great High Priest
The New Testament book of Hebrews explains that the earthly high priest was actually a “shadow” or a preview of a much greater reality. All the sacrifices and rituals performed by the high priest in Judaism were temporary. They had to be repeated year after year because they could never fully remove sin. However, the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is the ultimate High Priest who offered a perfect, once-and-for-all sacrifice.
“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:14-15)
Unlike the priests of the Old Covenant, Jesus does not need to offer sacrifices for His own sins because He is sinless. Furthermore, His priesthood is eternal. He does not serve in an earthly building but stands in the very presence of God in heaven, where He continually prays for those who follow Him. Because of Jesus, believers no longer need an earthly mediator to reach God; they can “come boldly to the throne of our gracious God” (Hebrews 4:16) themselves.
The Takeaway
The high priest in Judaism was the essential link between a holy God and a sinful people. From the first appointment of Aaron to the complex political figures of the first century, this office reminded Israel of their need for atonement and mediation. While the earthly office ended with the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD, its purpose was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. As our Great High Priest, Jesus has opened the way for everyone to have a direct, personal relationship with God.
