Who was the high priest in the Bible?

Origin and Purpose of the High Priest

The high priest’s role was instituted in the Old Testament when Aaron, the brother of Moses, was first appointed by divine command. According to Exodus 28:1, “Then bring near to yourself your brother Aaron from among the Israelites, along with his sons, so that they may minister as priests to Me.” This marked the beginning of a sacred office reserved for a chosen lineage, entrusted with representing the people before God and officiating specific duties, such as making atonement for the sins of the community.

The high priest was uniquely set apart within the priesthood. He held the highest spiritual authority under the Old Covenant, wearing special garments and carrying out divinely mandated rituals. His role was foundational to worship in ancient Israel, reflecting the importance of mediation before a holy God.

Requirements and Qualifications

The high priest had to be of the tribe of Levi and, specifically, from the line of Aaron (Leviticus 8:1–9). He was expected to maintain an exemplary lifestyle, remaining ceremonially pure and upholding the commands of the Law to a high standard. Leviticus 21:10 emphasizes the holiness of this office: “The priest who is highest among his brothers... is not to uncover his head or tear his garments.”

Additionally, the high priest wore distinctive garments described in Exodus 28–29 and Leviticus 8, which included the ephod, breastpiece (bearing the Urim and Thummim), robe, tunic, and turban. These items symbolized purity and the gravity of his ministry. Ancient references outside the Bible, such as the writings of the first-century historian Flavius Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, Book III), confirm the uniqueness of these vestments and the significance attributed to them.

Historical Line of High Priests in Scripture

1. Aaron: The first to serve in this office (Exodus 28; Leviticus 8).

2. Eleazar and Ithamar: Aaron’s sons who succeeded him (Numbers 20:25–28; 1 Chronicles 6:3).

3. Phinehas: Known for his zeal, he inherited this role (Numbers 25:11–13).

4. Zadok: Served under King David and King Solomon; Zadok’s line continued well into the First Temple period (1 Kings 2:35).

5. Jehoiada: Instrumental in preserving the royal line by protecting the child king Joash (2 Kings 11:9–12).

6. Hilkiah: Rediscovered the Book of the Law during repairs of the Temple (2 Kings 22:8).

7. Joshua (Jeshua) son of Jehozadak: High priest during the return from Babylonian exile (Ezra 3:2; Zechariah 3:1).

References to these individuals are corroborated partly by archaeological evidence (for example, references to priestly families in the Elephantine Papyri from the 5th century BC) and ancient Jewish tradition recorded in the Talmud.

Duties and Significance

The high priest held responsibility for the spiritual well-being of Israel. This was especially evident on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). As Leviticus 16:2 states, “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil... otherwise, he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.” On this solemn day, the high priest alone entered the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifices for himself and for the nation. This singular act of entering God’s immediate presence illustrated the seriousness of sin and underscored the necessity of a holy mediator.

Besides atonement, the high priest directed Temple worship, taught the Law, and judged matters of ceremonial purity. He was a unifying figure, reminding the people of their covenant relationship with God.

High Priests in the Second Temple Period

After the return from exile, the priestly system was restored under leaders such as Zerubbabel, Joshua (the high priest), and later Ezra the scribe. During this era (roughly 516 BC to AD 70), the high priesthood continued as the focal point of Jewish worship.

Greek, Persian, and Roman interactions brought both external pressures and internal political shifts, leading to changes in how the high priest was selected or deposed. Nevertheless, the office continued to be acknowledged by both Scripture and external sources. The Dead Sea Scrolls, for instance, include references to the priestly class and emphasize faithfulness to the Temple system.

The High Priest in the Time of Jesus

In the Gospels, two significant figures appear: Annas and Caiaphas. Caiaphas, in particular, played a pivotal role surrounding the events of Jesus’ trial (John 18:13–14: “They led Him first to Annas... then Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year”). Although Roman authorities heavily influenced appointments to the high priesthood during that period, the position retained religious weight and authority within Jewish society.

The involvement of Caiaphas in the crucifixion narrative showcases how the high priest took part in major religious and historical events, underscoring the office’s continuing significance up to the time of the Second Temple’s destruction in AD 70.

Jesus as the Great High Priest

New Testament writings, particularly the Book of Hebrews, underscore a transformative shift: “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God” (Hebrews 4:14). While earthly high priests had to repeatedly offer sacrifices, Jesus offered Himself once for all (Hebrews 7:27). This completed and fulfilled the high priestly function in a final, perfect manner.

Scripture thus presents the office of high priest as a foreshadowing of a greater priestly ministry. Jesus’ resurrection and ascension established Him as an eternal mediator, rendering the repeated Levitical sacrifices unnecessary. In revealing Jesus as the culmination of the high priestly role, the Bible brings the office’s primary purpose—reconciliation between humanity and God—to its ultimate fulfillment.

Conclusion

The high priest in the Bible originated with Aaron’s appointment and continued through a line of successors serving in both the First and Second Temple periods. Historical documents, alongside archaeological and textual evidence, affirm that this vital office guided spiritual worship, upheld the Law, and symbolized the need for atonement and mediation.

Ultimately, the New Testament reveals how the sacrificial system points to Jesus, who serves as the supreme High Priest forever. In this way, the biblical high priesthood is both a historical reality and a theological signpost, highlighting God’s design in providing a perfect mediator and underscoring His plan of redemption.