Page 296 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

HIGH PRIEST

is the compassionate high priest who is touched with 13:14). The girdle represents Jesus as the Servant of
the feelings of our infirmities. He knows our frame and God and man.
remembers that we are dust. The Ephod. The ephod (Ex. 28:6-14) was placed over
The Priestly Garments. Let us briefly consider the the head and shoulders of the high priest and was made
garments for the high priest, which represent the Person of fine linen with gold, blue, purple, and scarlet colors
and work of the Son of God. All of the garments were woven in it (Ex. 28:6; 39:2-5). The gold represents
made with fine white linen, with blue, purple, scarlet, Christ’s deity; the blue, His heavenly origin; the purple,
and gold thread (Ex. 28:5). The white linen speaks of His royalty; the scarlet, His sacrificial atonement; the
Christ’s purity and sinlessness (1 Pe. 2:22). The blue white linen, His pure, sinless nature (He. 7:26).
thread speaks of Christ’s heavenly origin and present The Onyx Stones. On the shoulders of the ephod were
position at the right hand of the Father (1 Co. 15:47). two onyx stones set in gold with the names of the tribes
The purple thread speaks of Jesus’ royalty; He is King of of Israel engraved therein (Ex. 28:9-12; 39:6-7). This
kings. The scarlet thread speaks of Christ’s blood represented the truth that God’s people are kept secure
atonement; He is the Saviour. The gold speaks of by Christ’s divine strength. We rest in Christ’s power, not
Christ’s deity; Jesus Christ is God (1 Ti. 3:16). The our own (1 Pe. 1:2, 5; Mt. 11:28; 1 Pe. 5:7).
garments as a whole symbolize Christ in His three The Breastplate. Upon the ephod was bound the
offices: Priest (ephod), Prophet (Urim and Thummin), breastplate, which was placed over the priest’s chest
and King (mitre and crown). [See Colors.] upon his heart (Ex. 28:15-29). On the breastplate were
The Robe. The robe of the ephod was the main twelve precious stones set in four rows of three each,
covering for the high priest—a long robe all of blue with a name of one of the tribes of Israel engraved
color (Ex. 28:31-35). This pictures the truth that though thereon. This pictures Christ’s great love for His people.
Christ became a man and is still a man (Ac. 17:31; 1 Ti. They are permanently engraved upon His heart (Jn.
2:5), He originated from heaven and is the Lord from 13:1). Each of the tribes of Israel had its own place
heaven (1 Co. 15:47). He is not of this creation, and upon the heart of the high priest, and each believer
those who receive Him are translated from this old today has a special place in Christ’s heart (Ep. 3:17-19).
creation and placed into a new creation (2 Co. 5:17). As the names of Israel were always upon the priest’s
They, too, are no longer of this world (Ga. 6:14). shoulders and heart, each individual believer is forever
Though believers still live in the world, they are even preserved and loved by Christ. The names were set in
now citizens of heaven (Jn. 17:6, 14-17; Ph. 3:20-21; precious stones to illustrate the value God’s people have
Col. 3:1-4). in His eyes (Mal. 3:16-17).
Pomegranates. Upon the hem of the robe were sewn Urim and Thummim. The Urim and Thummin were
blue, purple, and scarlet pomegranates. This is a fruit objects which were placed in a pouch in the breastplate
and symbolizes the fruitfulness of Christ. Through the and used in discerning God’s will (Nu. 27:21; De. 33:8;
atonement He made for sin and by His present work of 1 Sa. 28:6; Ezr. 2:63). The appearance of these objects
world evangelism, He is drawing multitudes to Himself. is not described in Scripture. The words “Urim and
Bells. Between the pomegranates were sewn gold Thummin” mean “lights and perfections.” The Urim and
bells which rang as the high priest went about his Thummim picture the perfection of Christ’s revelation to
labors. These bells related particularly to the high men. Everything Jesus speaks is absolute truth. Those
priest’s work in the Holy Place so that the people who desire to know the truth about God and life must
outside the Tabernacle, though unable to see the priest, hear Jesus Christ.
could hear the bells and be assured that he was busy in The Crown. Upon the high priest’s head was placed a
their behalf and that God was accepting his labors. This holy crown, or mitre, made of fine white linen (Ex.
beautifully fits this present age, during which Jesus, our 28:36-39). This represented Christ as King. Upon the
great High Priest, has gone into heaven and is not front of the mitre was attached a golden plate engraved
visible to human eyes on earth. The bells represent the with the words “Holiness to the Lord,” picturing the
testimony of the Holy Spirit as He witnesses to men of absolute dedication of Christ to the will of the Father.
Jesus’ existence and work (Jn. 16:12-15). The Holy “Holy” means set apart to God, and the Lord Jesus was
Spirit has given us the Scriptures which plainly tell us of indeed this. His every thought and desire was to do the
Christ, and He also abides in God’s people to witness will of the Father who had sent Him. Ex. 28:38 says the
personally of the things of Christ (1 Jn. 2:20, 27). golden plate was always upon Aaron’s forehead in order
The Girdle. To secure the robe, a girdle was used (Ex. that the people might be accepted before God. Thus we
28:39). The girdle was used in service, as when Jesus see that believers are not accepted before God because
girded Himself to wash the feet of the disciples (Jn. of their own holiness, but because of the holiness of

296 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity