1. THE LAW, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF BIBLICAL PEOPLE GROUPS
JoLynn Gower
Fall 2018
Lesson 11

2. VERSE FOR THE JOURNEY
2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
Exodus 28:1-3  "Then bring near to yourself Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the sons of Israel, to minister as priest to Me—Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons. You shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. You shall speak to all the skillful persons whom I have endowed with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister as priest to Me.”
Wisdom: chokmah: knowing; skillful in the use of knowledge

3. THE EPHOD In addition to the clothing of a regular priest:
Exodus 28:5-8 "They shall take the gold and the blue and the purple and the scarlet material and the fine linen. They shall also make the ephod of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen, the work of the skillful workman. It shall have two shoulder pieces joined to its two ends, that it may be joined. The skillfully woven band, which is on it, shall be like its workmanship, of the same material: of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen.
Exodus 28:9-10 "You shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel,  six of their names on the one stone and the names of the remaining six on the other stone, according to their birth. To

4. THE TUNIC OF THE EPHOD
Exodus 28:11-12  "As a jeweler engraves a signet, you shall engrave the two stones according to the names of the sons of Israel; you shall set them in filigree settings of gold. You shall put the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of memorial for the sons of Israel, and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD on his two shoulders for a memorial.
These stones were at the shoulder point where the back and front of the ephod joined together
The robe (tunic) under the ephod was slightly longer than the ephod; it was blue; it was seamless
John 19:23 …took His outer garments and made four parts, a part to every soldier and also the tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece.

5. THE HIGH PRIEST

6. BREASTPIECE
Exodus 28:15-21 "You shall make a breastpiece of judgment, the work of a skillful workman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it: of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen you shall make it. It shall be square and folded double, a span in length and a span in width. You shall mount on it four rows of stones; the first row shall be a row of ruby, topaz and emerald; and the second row a turquoise, a sapphire and a diamond; and the third row a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst; and the fourth row a beryl and onyx and an a jasper; they shall be set in gold filigree. The stones shall be according to the names of the sons of Israel: twelve, according to their names; they shall be like the engravings of a seal, each according to his name for the twelve tribes.

7. BREASTPIECE (of judgment)
One span, folded double
so that the top was open
making a pocket for the
Urim and Thummim
Fastened at the top to
the ephod by gold chains
attached to gold rings and
at the bottom by blue cords attached to gold rings
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Napthali
Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Benjamin
The Sash: Exodus 28:8 "The skillfully woven band, which is on it, shall be like its workmanship, of the same material: of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen.

8. THE TURBAN
Both Josephus and Philo say that the turban was an ordinary priest’s cap with a dark blue turban over it. On its front was a gold plaque that said “Holy to the Lord”
Exodus 28:36-38 "You shall also make a plate of pure gold and shall engrave on it, like the engravings of a seal, 'Holy to the LORD.‘ You shall fasten it on a blue cord, and it shall be on the turban; it shall be at the front of the turban. It shall be on Aaron's forehead, and Aaron shall take away the iniquity
of the holy things which the sons of
Israel consecrate, with regard to all
their holy gifts; it shall always be on
his fore-head, that they may be
accepted before the LORD.

9. DUTIES AND SUPPORT
His support came from the same sources as other priests; some indications that he received double
He was required to be married and only to a virgin
The office acquired a great deal more pomp after the return from Babylonian captivity
He uniquely presented the sin offering for the nation and for himself
He uniquely presented the atoning sacrifice and burnt offering on the Day of Atonement
He uniquely consulted the Urim and Thummim
He could perform any of the priestly duties; history indicates that some High Priests officiated every Sabbath; all officiated on every High Holy Day
He seems to have been full-time in Jerusalem

10. DAY OF ATONEMENT
Seven days before, on Tishrei 3, the High Priest left his home and went to the Palhedrin Chamber (also known as the Chamber of the Lords); the name change happened when the position became a paid government position
The Substitute (Sagan) was also prepared in case the High Priest became ill or unclean; R. Jehuda also says that a substitute wife was set apart for him!
The belief was that on Rosh Hashanah, God determined the fate of each person for the coming year; on Yom Kippur the fate was actually sealed in heaven
During the week, the High Priest studied the service and was sprinkled with spring water and the ashes of the Red Heifer for purification

11. ON THE DAY FOR THE PEOPLE: 1. No eating or drinking
2. No bathing or washing
3. No wearing leather shoes
4. No anointing with perfume or lotion
5. No sex
The day of atonement only availed for those who repent
Hebrews 9:6-7 Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests are continually entering the outer tabernacle performing the divine worship, but into the second, only the high priest enters once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance.

12. ADAM’S SIN WAS INTENTIONAL
Adam’s sin, passed to all humans, was intentional
Galatians 3:21-22  Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.  
THE HIGH PRIEST’S ROLE POINTED TO CHRIST
Hebrews 9:24-25  For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own.