(Exodus chapters 28:1-2)

This picture shows the high priest in his “holy garments for ministering in the Holy Place” (Exodus 39:1). Aaron was the first high priest; he was Moses’ brother. After Aaron died, subsequent high priests were his descendants, the sons of Aaron.

The high priest was responsible for the Tabernacle, its daily offerings and functions and also its regular Feasts, three times in the year: at Passover, at Pentecost and at Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement (which was followed by a week of joy in the Feast of Tabernacles), as seen from Leviticus chapter 23.

On the Day of Atonement, it was uniquely the high priest’s responsibility to take the blood of the sacrificed goat into the Holy of Holies on behalf of all God’s people, for forgiveness of their sins.

This awesome responsibility required a sanctified person (Exodus 29), the high priest, dressed in “holy garments”. The uppermost holy garment is apron-like and is called the Ephod. On top of the Ephod there is the square breastplate, with twelve precious stones. On the shoulders are two additional precious stones. The blue garment is called the robe, under which the high priest wore a white fine linen woven tunic. On his head is the white fine linen turban. Round the base of the turban is the crown of gold, saying “HOLY TO THE LORD”.

All of these garments and items have a wonderful significance. Once we understand what these tell us about the heavenly High Priest, Jesus, we will find a deep-seated thankfulness rising up from within our spirit, and an encouragement to draw near to God with a purified heart in full assurance of faith (Hebrews 13:15; 10:22).

THE HIGH PRIEST
• Specially called of God. Exodus 28:1-2; Hebrews 5:4
• Consecrated to his office. Exodus 40:13; Leviticus 8:12

WAS CALLED.
• The priest. Exodus 29:30; Neh. 7:65
• God’s high priest. Acts 23:4
• Ruler of the people. Exodus 22:28; Acts 23:5
• The office of, hereditary. Exodus 29:29
• Next in rank to the king. Lament. 2:6
• Often exercised chief civil power. 1 Samuel 4:18

DUTIES OF
• Offering gifts and sacrifices. Hebrews 5:1
• Lighting the sacred lamps. Exodus 30:8; Numbers 8:3
• Making atonement in the most holy place once a year. Leviticus 16:1-34; Hebrews 9:7
• Bearing before the Lord the names of Israel for a memorial. Exodus 28:12, 29
• Enquiring of God by Urim and Thummim. 1 Samuel 23:9-12; 1 Samuel 30:7-8
• Consecrating the Levites. Numbers 9:11-21
• Appointing priests to offices. 1 Samuel 2:36
• Taking charge of money collected in the sacred treasury. 2 Kings 12:10; 2 Kings 22:4
• Presiding in the superior court. Matthew 26:3, 57-62; Acts 5:21-28; Acts 23:1-5
• Taking the census of the people. Numbers 1:3
• Blessing the people. Leviticus 9:22-23
• Sometimes enabled to prophesy. John 11:49-52
• Assisted by a deputy. 2 Samuel 15:24; Luke 3:2

THE DEPUTY OF
• Called the second priest. 2 Kings 25:18
• Had oversight of the tabernacle. Numbers 4:16
• Had oversight of the Levites. Numbers 3:32
• To marry a virgin of Aaron’s family. Leviticus 21:13-14
• Forbidden to mourn for any. Leviticus 21:1-12
• To be tender and compassionate. Hebrews 5:2
• Needed to sacrifice for himself. Hebrews 5:1-3

SPECIAL GARMENTS OF
• Ephod with its curious girdle. Exodus 28:6-7
• Girdle. Exodus 28:4, 39
• Broidered coat. Exodus 28:4, 39
• Robe of the ephod. Exodus 28:31-35
• Breastplate. Exodus 28:15-29
• Linen mitre. Exodus 28:4, 39
• Plate or crown of gold. Exodus 28:36-38
• Made by divine wisdom given to Bezaleel. Exodus 28:3; Exodus 36:1; Exodus 39:1
• Were for beauty and ornament. Exodus 28:2
• Worn at his consecration. Leviticus 8:7, 9
• Worn seven days after consecration. Exodus 29:30
• Descended to his successors. Exodus 29:29
• Wore the ordinary priest’s garments when making atonement in the holy place. Leviticus 16:4
• Office of, promised to the posterity of Phinehas for his zeal. Numbers 25:12-13
• Family of Eli degraded from office of, for bad conduct. 1 Samuel 2:27-36
• Sometimes deposed by the kings. 1 Kings 2:27
• Office of, made annual by the Romans. John 11:49-51; Acts 4:6

TYPIFIED CHRIST IN
• Being called of God. Hebrews 5:4-5
• His title. Hebrews 3:1
• His appointment. Isaiah 61:1; John 1:32-34
• Making atonement. Leviticus 16:33; Hebrews 2:17
• Splendid dress. Exodus 28:2; John 1:14
• Being liable to temptation. Hebrews 2:18
• Compassion and sympathy for the weak and ignorant. Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 5:1-2
• Marrying a virgin. Leviticus 21:13-14; 2 Cor. 11:2
• Holiness of office. Leviticus 21:15; Hebrews 7:26
• Performing by himself all the services on day of atonement. Leviticus 16:1-34; Hebrews 1:3
• Bearing the names of Israel upon his heart. Exodus 28:29; Song 8:6
• Alone entering into most holy place. Hebrews 9:7, 12, 24; Hebrews 4:14
• Interceding. Numbers 16:43-48; Hebrews 7:25
• Blessing. Leviticus 9:22-23; Acts 3:26

INFERIOR TO CHRIST IN
• Needing to make atonement for his own sins. Hebrews 5:2-3; Hebrews 7:26-28; Hebrews 9:7
• Being of the order of Aaron. Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 7:11-17; Hebrews 8:4-5, 1-2, 6
• Being made without an oath. Hebrews 7:20-22
• Not being able to continue. Hebrews 7:23-24
• Offering oftentimes the same sacrifices. Hebrews 9:25-26, 28; Hebrews 10:11-12, 14
• Entering into holiest every year. Hebrews 9:7, 12, 25