What Responsibilities Did Aaron Have as High Priest in the Tabernacle?
The ministry of Aaron as the first high priest of Israel was central to the worship and spiritual life of God’s covenant people. Appointed by God and consecrated through sacred ceremony, Aaron served as the mediator between the holy God and sinful Israel. His work in the tabernacle was both a privilege and a weighty responsibility, for it carried life-and-death significance and pointed forward to the greater priesthood of Christ.
1. Consecration to the High Priestly Office
Before Aaron could serve in the tabernacle, he had to be set apart through a process of consecration (Exodus 29:1–9). This involved ceremonial washing, clothing with priestly garments, and anointing with holy oil. These actions symbolized purification, divine calling, and empowerment for ministry.
The consecration was not merely about ritual formality. It declared that Aaron belonged entirely to the Lord, devoted to serving Him on behalf of the people. This consecration foreshadowed the truth that all acceptable service to God begins with His initiative and is sustained by His grace.
2. Offering Sacrifices for Sin
One of Aaron’s central responsibilities was to present sin offerings—first for himself, then for the congregation (Leviticus 9:7). As a sinner himself, Aaron had to atone for his own sins before representing Israel before God.
This requirement demonstrated that no human priest was inherently worthy to stand before God. It also highlighted the need for a perfect priest who would not need to offer sacrifices for His own sin—a role fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7:26–27).
3. Serving on the Day of Atonement
The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) was the most sacred day of Israel’s calendar (Leviticus 16). On this day, Aaron entered the Holy of Holies—the innermost sanctuary of the tabernacle—once a year to make atonement for the sins of the nation.
He sprinkled the blood of a sin offering on the mercy seat above the ark of the covenant and performed the scapegoat ritual, symbolically transferring the sins of the people onto the goat, which was sent away into the wilderness. This annual act was a vivid picture of God’s mercy, covering sin and removing guilt, while also pointing to the once-for-all atonement accomplished by Christ.
4. Maintaining the Daily Worship of God
Aaron’s service was not limited to annual events. He entered the Holy Place morning and evening to burn incense on the golden altar (Exodus 30:7–8). This fragrant offering represented the prayers of God’s people rising before Him.
He was also responsible for tending the seven-branched lampstand, ensuring its lamps remained lit (Exodus 27:20–21). This act symbolized the continual presence and light of God in the midst of His people.
5. Wearing the Sacred Garments of the High Priest
Aaron’s distinctive attire was rich in symbolism (Exodus 28). It included:
Blue robe – representing heaven and the divine calling.
Ephod with onyx stones – bearing the names of the twelve tribes on his shoulders, signifying that he carried the people before God.
Breastplate with twelve precious stones – over his heart, symbolizing his love and representation of the tribes.
Turban with gold plate inscribed “Holy to the LORD” – declaring that he was set apart for God’s service.
These garments were a constant reminder that Aaron was not serving in his own authority but as a divinely appointed mediator.
6. Seeking God’s Will Through the Urim and Thummim
The high priest used the Urim and Thummim, placed within the breastplate, to discern God’s guidance in certain judicial or national matters (Numbers 27:21). While Scripture does not explain their exact function, they symbolized God’s willingness to direct His people through His appointed mediator.
This practice reminded Israel that true wisdom and direction come from the Lord, not from human reasoning alone.
7. Pronouncing Priestly Judgments
Aaron held authority to make final rulings in matters under priestly jurisdiction (Deuteronomy 17:8–12). This could include disputes regarding ceremonial law, ritual purity, or other issues tied to God’s covenant commands.
In this role, the high priest upheld God’s law and ensured the community’s life was shaped by His holiness. This judicial aspect of the priesthood reinforced that God’s covenant touched every area of Israel’s existence.
8. Bearing the People Before God
Every aspect of Aaron’s work as high priest—from sacrifices to intercession—was about carrying Israel before God. The names on his shoulders and over his heart, the incense symbolizing prayer, and the atoning blood all testified that Israel’s life depended on the ministry of a mediator.
This truth reaches its fullness in Christ, who “always lives to make intercession” for His people (Hebrews 7:25). Through Him, believers have direct access to God without fear of condemnation.
9. Teaching the People God’s Law
The high priest also had a teaching role (Leviticus 10:8–11). He was to instruct the people in the difference between the holy and the common, the clean and the unclean. Aaron’s position carried not only ceremonial duties but also the responsibility to form the spiritual understanding of the nation.
This teaching ministry ensured that worship and daily life were consistent with God’s revealed will, fostering a community shaped by His truth.
10. Pointing to the Greater High Priest
Aaron’s priesthood was temporary and imperfect. His need for personal atonement, his eventual death, and the repeated nature of his sacrifices showed that a greater priesthood was needed.
In Christ, the shadows of Aaron’s ministry become substance. Jesus entered the true Holy of Holies in heaven, not with the blood of animals but with His own, securing eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11–12). The responsibilities of Aaron find their ultimate fulfillment in Him, and through Christ’s priesthood, the church becomes a “royal priesthood” called to declare the excellencies of God (1 Peter 2:9).
Bible Verses Related to Aaron’s High Priestly Role in the Tabernacle
Exodus 28:1 – “Have Aaron your brother brought to you… so he may serve me as priest.”
Exodus 28:29 – “Aaron will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart when he enters the Holy Place.”
Exodus 30:7–8 – “Aaron must burn fragrant incense… every morning and… at twilight.”
Leviticus 9:7 – “Offer your sin offering and your burnt offering and make atonement for yourself and the people.”
Leviticus 16:2 – “Tell your brother Aaron not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place… or else he will die.”
Leviticus 16:34 – “This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the Israelites.”
Numbers 27:21 – “He is to stand before Eleazar the priest, who will obtain decisions for him by inquiring of the Urim before the LORD.”
Deuteronomy 17:9 – “Go to the priests… Inquire of them and they will give you the verdict.”
Hebrews 7:25 – “He always lives to intercede for them.”
Hebrews 9:11–12 – “He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.”
