HIGH PRIEST One in charge of the temple (or tabernacle) worship. A number of terms are used to refer to the high priest: the priest (Exod. 31:10); the anointed priest (Lev. 4:3); the priest who is chief among his brethren (Lev. 21:10); chief priest (2 Chron. 26:20); and high priest (2 Kings 12:10).

Responsibilities and Privileges The high priesthood was a hereditary office based on descent from Aaron (Exod. 29:29–30; Lev. 16:32). Normally, the high priest served for life (Num. 18:7; 25:11–13; 35:25, 28; Neh. 12:10–11), though as early as Solomon’s reign a high priest was dismissed for political reasons (1 Kings 2:27).

A special degree of holiness was required of the high priest (Lev. 10:6, 9; 21:10–15). This meant he had to avoid defilement by contact with the dead, even in the case of his own parents, and was forbidden to show any outward sign of mourning. He could not leave the sanctuary precincts. Such legislation identified the high priest as one totally dedicated to the Lord, always ritually pure and ready to serve the Lord.

If the high priest sinned, he brought guilt upon the whole people (Lev. 4:3). The sin offering for the high priest (Lev. 4:3–12) was identical to that required “if the whole congregation of Israel commits error” (4:13–21 NASB).

The consecration of the high priest was an elaborate seven-day ritual involving special baths, putting on special garments, and anointing with oil and with blood (Exod. 29:1–37; Lev. 6:19–22; 8:5–35). The special garments of the high priest included a blue robe with an ornate hem decorated with gold bells and embroidered pomegranates, an ephod of fine linen with colorful embroidered work and shoulder straps bearing stones engraved with the names of the twelve tribes, a breastplate with twelve precious stones engraved with the names of the 12 tribes, and a linen turban with a gold plate inscribed “Holy to Yahweh” (Exod. 28:4–39; 39:1–31; Lev. 8:7–9). The engraved plate and the stones engraved with the tribal names highlight the role of the high priest as the holy representative of all Israel before the Lord (Exod. 28:12, 29). In his “breastpiece of judgment,” the high priest kept the sacred lots, the Urim and Thummim, which were used to inquire of the Lord (Exod. 28:29–30; Num. 27:21). See Breastpiece of the High Priest; Ephod; Lots; Urim and Thummim.

The high priest shared in general priestly duties. Only the high priest, however, was allowed to enter the holy of holies and then only on the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:1–25). See Day of Atonement.

The death of the high priest marked the end of an epoch. One guilty of involuntary manslaughter was required to remain in a city of refuge until the death of the high priest (Num. 35:25, 28, 32; Josh. 20:6). The expiatory death of the high priest removed bloodguilt that would pollute the land (cp. Num. 35:33).

The challenge to approach God’s throne of grace is an admonition to persistent, confident prayer that is based particularly on Jesus’ own experience of sufferings and trials, and his consequent ability to empathize with our weaknesses (v. 15).