High Priest

The high priest (Hebrew kōhēn haggādôl, "the great priest") was the supreme religious official of Israel under the Mosaic covenant, holding a unique and irreplaceable role in the sacrificial system and in Israel's covenant relationship with God. Aaron was the first high priest, consecrated with an elaborate ceremony of anointing and investiture (Ex. 29; Lev. 8). The high priest wore distinctive garments including the breastplate of twelve gemstones, the ephod, the blue robe with bells, the mitre, and the golden plate inscribed "Holy to the LORD." He alone entered the Holy of Holies on the annual Day of Atonement to make expiation for Israel's sins by sprinkling blood on the mercy seat (Lev. 16). The office was hereditary through Aaron's son Eleazar and his descendants. In the New Testament, the Epistle to the Hebrews presents Christ as the supreme and final High Priest — "a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek" (Heb. 6:20) — whose one offering of himself has rendered the repeated animal sacrifices permanently obsolete (Heb. 9:11–14; 10:11–14). Caiaphas and Annas held the high-priestly office at the time of Jesus' trial.