Priests and High Priests: Foreshadowing Jesus Christ

Priestly Office

Aaron’s sons held a priestly office (Num. 16:3–10, 40).

Christ is a “faithful high priest” (Heb. 2:17).

Called of God

Aaron (and sons) were called of God (Num. 16:5; Heb 5:4).

Jesus was “called of God an high priest” (Heb. 5:10).

Holiness

“Ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation” (Ex. 19:6).

Jesus Christ, “an high priest . . . who is holy, harmless” (Heb. 7:26).

Undefiled

Priests and high priests shall not “be defiled for the dead” (Lev. 21:1).

Jesus was “undefiled, separate from sinners” (Heb. 7:26).

Daily Sacrifices

High priests and priests offered daily sacrifices (Lev. 6:19–23).

Jesus “needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice” (Heb. 7:27), rather Jesus offered a sacrifice “once, when he offered up himself” (Heb. 7:27).

Tabernacle

Priests served in the tabernacle, which was made according to “the pattern shewed to [Moses] in the mount” (Heb. 8:5). This was called a “worldly sanctuary” (Heb. 9:1) and “first tabernacle” (Heb. 9:8).

Jesus is the “true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man” (Heb. 8:2); His was “a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands” (Heb. 9:11).

Types and Shadows

Priests are “the example and shadow of heavenly things” (Heb. 8:5).

Jesus is the fulfillment of the ancient priests’ example.

Blood

High priest offered the blood of goats and a bullock.

Jesus’s sacrifice was “neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood” (Heb. 9:12).

Two Covenants

The first covenant, the law of Moses, was a type and shadow.

The second covenant was Christ’s higher law; it was a “better covenant,” had “better promises,” and was “faultless” (Heb. 8:6­–7).

Written Law

Part of the law of Moses was written on stone tablets.

The higher law: “I will put my laws into their mind and write them in their hearts” (Heb. 8:10).