What is the biblical definition and role of a high priest?

The role of the high priest in the Bible is a multifaceted and deeply significant one, rooted in the ancient traditions of the Israelites and extending into the theological concepts of the New Testament. To understand the biblical definition and role of a high priest, we need to delve into the rich tapestry of the Old Testament, particularly the book of Leviticus, and explore how this role is reinterpreted in the New Testament through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

The High Priest in the Old Testament

The high priest in the Old Testament was the chief religious leader of the Israelites, a position established by God through Moses. The high priesthood is first introduced in the book of Exodus, where Aaron, the brother of Moses, is appointed as the first high priest (Exodus 28:1). The book of Leviticus, however, provides the most comprehensive details about the duties, responsibilities, and significance of the high priest.

Appointment and Qualifications

The high priest was chosen from the tribe of Levi, specifically from the descendants of Aaron. This hereditary office required the individual to meet stringent qualifications, including physical perfection (Leviticus 21:17-23) and adherence to strict purity laws. The high priest was consecrated through a detailed ceremony involving washing, anointing with oil, and the offering of sacrifices (Leviticus 8).

Duties and Responsibilities

The primary role of the high priest was to act as a mediator between God and the people of Israel. This mediatorial role is exemplified in the high priest's unique responsibilities, particularly on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), described in Leviticus 16. On this holiest day of the Jewish calendar, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies, the innermost sanctuary of the Tabernacle (and later the Temple), to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people. This involved the following key actions:

1. Sacrificial Offerings: The high priest would first offer a bull as a sin offering for himself and his household, acknowledging his own need for atonement (Leviticus 16:6, 11). He would then take two goats, one to be sacrificed as a sin offering for the people and the other to be sent into the wilderness as the scapegoat, symbolically carrying away the sins of the nation (Leviticus 16:7-10).

2. Entering the Holy of Holies: The high priest would enter the Holy of Holies only once a year, carrying the blood of the sacrificial animals to sprinkle on the mercy seat, the cover of the Ark of the Covenant, thus making atonement for the sins of Israel (Leviticus 16:14-15).

3. Intercession: The high priest also wore special garments, including the ephod and the breastplate with twelve stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel (Exodus 28:15-30). This symbolized his role in bearing the people before God in intercession.

The high priest's role extended beyond the Day of Atonement. He was responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the Tabernacle (and later the Temple), teaching the Law, and ensuring the ritual purity of the community.

The High Priest in the New Testament

The New Testament reinterprets the concept of the high priest through the lens of Jesus Christ, presenting Him as the ultimate and eternal high priest. This theological development is most explicitly articulated in the Epistle to the Hebrews.

Jesus as the High Priest

The author of Hebrews presents Jesus as the fulfillment of the high priestly role, emphasizing His superiority over the Levitical priesthood. Several key aspects highlight this fulfillment:

1. Divine Appointment: Just as Aaron was appointed by God, Jesus was appointed by God to be the high priest. Hebrews 5:5-6 quotes Psalm 2:7 and Psalm 110:4 to affirm this divine appointment: "You are my Son; today I have begotten you" and "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."

2. Perfect Sacrifice: Unlike the Levitical high priests who had to offer sacrifices for their own sins and repeatedly for the sins of the people, Jesus offered Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice. Hebrews 7:27 states, "He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself."

3. Eternal Priesthood: The Levitical priests were mortal and their priesthood was temporary. In contrast, Jesus holds an eternal priesthood. Hebrews 7:24-25 declares, "But he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."

4. Heavenly Sanctuary: While the Levitical high priests ministered in an earthly sanctuary, Jesus ministers in the heavenly sanctuary. Hebrews 9:11-12 explains, "But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption."

5. Mediator of a New Covenant: Jesus, as the high priest, mediates a new and better covenant. Hebrews 8:6 states, "But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises."

Theological Implications

The role of the high priest, as redefined in the New Testament, carries profound theological implications for Christians. Jesus' high priesthood assures believers of direct access to God, unmediated by earthly priests. Hebrews 4:14-16 encourages believers to approach the throne of grace with confidence, knowing that Jesus, our high priest, sympathizes with our weaknesses and intercedes on our behalf.

Furthermore, the concept of Jesus as the high priest underscores the completeness and sufficiency of His atoning work. The sacrificial system of the Old Testament, with its repeated and imperfect sacrifices, pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who accomplished what the blood of bulls and goats could not (Hebrews 10:1-4). This provides believers with the assurance of forgiveness and the hope of eternal redemption.

Conclusion

The high priest in the Bible serves as a vital link between God and His people, a role that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, the high priest was the mediator who offered sacrifices and interceded on behalf of the Israelites. This role was characterized by strict qualifications, detailed rituals, and a profound sense of holiness and responsibility.

In the New Testament, Jesus is presented as the eternal high priest who, through His perfect sacrifice, mediates a new covenant and grants believers direct access to God. His priesthood is marked by divine appointment, eternal intercession, and the assurance of complete redemption.

Understanding the biblical definition and role of the high priest enriches our appreciation of God's plan of salvation and deepens our faith in the work of Jesus Christ, our ultimate high priest.