The role of the High Priest was, and to the surprise of many, is essential in the administration of the temple and the performance of various spiritual duties, including sacrifices, atonement, and intercession on behalf of the people. This role is administrated by Yeshua (Jesus) from the beginning of time in a unique and transcendent manner.
- Hebrews 10:11-12 “And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;”
- Hebrews 7:25 “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
According to the Law, the High Priest was appointed by God and had to be from the lineage of Aaron,
the brother of Moses (Exodus 28:1). He had to meet specific requirements, including moral character,
ritual purity, and physical wholeness (Leviticus 21:16-23). The High Priest served as the mediator
between God and the people of Israel, representing them before God and offering sacrifices for their
sins and atonement.
- Leviticus 16:11-17 “And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which is for himself: And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the Lord, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail: And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not: And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times. Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat: And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness. And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel.”
On the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the High Priest performed special rituals for the atonement
of the sins of the people. He entered the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle or temple to make
atonement for the nation (Leviticus 16). The High Priest also interceded on behalf of the people,
offering prayers and petitions to God for their well-being and forgiveness (Exodus 28:12).
Yeshua is uniquely described as the eternal High Priest who fulfills the role of mediator between God
and humanity. He is not limited by the temporal lineage of Aaron but holds an eternal and divine
priesthood after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:6-10; 7:17). We have already discovered the
depths of the King of Righteousness, who was, and who is, The King of Jerusalem.
• Genesis 14:18 “And Melchizedek* king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the
priest of the most high God.”
Salem is a shortened version of Jerusalem in like manner as Indianapolis being called ‘Indy’, this is an example of a Hebrew cliche.
Unlike the earthly High Priests who offered animal sacrifices repeatedly, Yeshua offered Himself as
the perfect and eternal sacrifice for the sins of humanity. His death on the cross accomplished
complete atonement, providing forgiveness and reconciliation with God (Hebrews 9:11-14; 10:10-14).
Through Yeshua, believers have direct access to God without the need for a human mediator. He
tore the veil in the temple symbolizing the separation between God and humanity, granting direct
access to God’s presence (Matthew 27:51; Hebrews 10:19-22). Yeshua continues to intercede on
behalf of believers before God’s throne. He is described as the great High Priest who sympathizes
with our weaknesses and understands our human struggles (Hebrews 4:14-16).
The Law of the High Priest in the Old Testament foreshadowed and pointed to the ultimate fulfillment
of this role in Yeshua, the divine and eternal High Priest. From the beginning of time, Yeshua’s role
as the mediator, perfect sacrifice, and eternal intercessor was part of God’s redemptive plan for
humanity. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Yeshua became the ultimate High Priest,
providing complete atonement and reconciliation with God for all who believe in Him. He stands as
the eternal mediator, granting believers direct access to the Father, and continues to intercede on
their behalf, offering grace, mercy, and compassion.
The consecration of the High Priest in ancient Israel was a sacred and elaborate process prescribed
by God in the Torah (Old Testament). It involved specific rituals, purification, anointing, and the
donning of special garments. The consecration served to set the High Priest apart for his holy duties
and to symbolize his role as the mediator between God and the people. While the New Testament
does not provide a detailed account of a formal consecration of Yeshua as the High Priest, we can
see symbolic elements and parallels in His life and ministry that align with the consecration of the
High Priest. Let’s explore these connections of the Consecration of the High Priest in the Old
Testament:
Washing and Purification: The consecration process began with washing and purification. The High
Priest had to be cleansed with water, symbolizing his need to be ritually clean before God. Exodus
29:4 “And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation,
and shalt wash them with water.”
Yeshua’s baptism by John in the Jordan River can be seen as a symbolic washing and purification,
paralleling the consecration process. Although Yeshua was sinless, His baptism signified His
identification with humanity and His willingness to fulfill all righteousness.
- Matthew 3:13-17 “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Is this not the goal of all of mankind? That God would consider us beloved and to be well pleased
with our actions. The popular bracelet asked ‘What Would Jesus Do?’ when the reality is we are to
‘DO What Yeshua Did!’
The High Priest was dressed in special garments, including the ephod, breastplate, robe, and turban
(Exodus 29:5-6). Each garment had specific symbolic significance related to his role and function as
the mediator. Yeshua’s garments may not have been as bedazzled as that of the earthly priesthood,
but it did have another value. Power! Look at the story of Yeshua in the crowd.
- Matthew 9:20-22 “And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.”
- Luke 8:43-46 “And a woman who had suffered a chronic flow of blood for twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak (Tzitzi), and immediately her bleeding stopped. And Jesus said, “Who is the one who touched Me?” And while they were all denying it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing in on You.” But Jesus said, “Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had left Me.”
After washing and dressing, the High Priest was anointed with holy anointing oil. The anointing
signified his consecration and empowerment by the Holy Spirit for the sacred office.
- Exodus 29:7 “Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him.”
- Acts 10:38 “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”
A sin offering was made to atone for the sins of the High Priest and to purify him for his role. The
blood of the offering was applied to the High Priest and the altar as a symbol of atonement (Exodus
29:10-14). Yeshua’s sacrificial death on the cross fulfilled the ultimate sin offering and atonement for
humanity’s sins. His blood, shed for the forgiveness of sins, mirrors the blood ritual of the High
Priest’s consecration (Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 9:11-14).
Berean Breadcrumbs 
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