Adam as the First High Priest in the Bible
The concept of Adam as the "first high priest" is not explicitly stated in the biblical text, which typically identifies Aaron as the first high priest [1, 4]. However, some interpretations consider Adam's original role in the Garden of Eden to possess priestly characteristics.
In the Old Testament, the role of a priest (Hebrew: kohen) is generally understood as one who offers sacrifices and acts as a mediator between God and humanity [2, 5]. This office was formally established with Aaron and his descendants under the Levitical law [1, 4, 5]. Before the Levitical priesthood, the head of a family often performed priestly duties, such as Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob [5]. Melchizedek is also identified as a "priest of God Most High" in Genesis 14:18 [7].
The idea of Adam as a "first father" is mentioned in some interpretations of Isaiah 43:27, though this passage is often understood to refer to ancient ancestors or chief religious ministers rather than Adam specifically [10]. The New Testament identifies Jesus Christ as the "Apostle and High Priest of our confession" [3], a "great high priest" [11], who did not glorify himself but was appointed by God to this office [9]. Jesus is also referred to as the "Second Adam" [6].
While the Bible does not explicitly call Adam a high priest, the functions associated with the Garden of Eden narrative can be seen to parallel priestly duties. Adam was placed in a sacred space, the Garden, which some scholars view as a primordial sanctuary. His task to "work and keep" the garden (Genesis 2:15) can be interpreted as a priestly service, maintaining the sanctity of God's dwelling place on earth. This perspective suggests that Adam's original state involved a direct relationship with God and a responsibility for the sacred, which are hallmarks of the priestly office. However, the formal institution of the high priesthood, with its specific vestments and sacrificial duties, began with Aaron [1, 8].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: High priest — Aaron was the first who was solemnly set apart to this office (Ex. 29:7; 30:23; Lev. 8:12). He wore a peculiar dress, which on his death passed to his successor in office (Ex. 29:29, 30). Besides those garments which he wore in common with all priests, there were four that were peculiar to himself as high priest: (1.) The "robe" of the ephod, all of blue, of "woven work," worn immediately under the ephod. It was without seam or sleeves. The hem or skirt was ornamented with pomegranates and golden bells, seventy-two of each in alternate order. The soundi”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Priest — The English word is derived from the Greek presbyter, signifying an "elder" (Heb. cohen). Origin.--The idea of a priesthood connects itself in all its forms, pure or corrupted, with the consciousness, more or less distinct of sin. Men feel that they have broken a law. The power above them is holier than they are, and they dare not approach it. They crave for the intervention of some one of whom they can think as likely to be more acceptable than themselves. He must offer up their prayers, thanksgivings, sacrifices. He becomes their representative in "things p”
- Hebrews “Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Jesus; -- Hebrews 3:1”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: High Places6813 Priest — The first distinct separation of Aaron to the office of the priesthood, which previously belonged to the first-born was that recorded (Exodus 28:1) ... We find from the very first the following characteristic attributes of Aaron and the high priests his successors, as distinguished from the other priests: Aaron alone was anointed, (Leviticus 8:12) whence one of the distinctive epithets of the high priest was "the anointed priest." (Leviticus 4:3,5,16; 21:10) see (Numbers 35:25) The anointing of the sons of Aaron, i.e. the common priests seems ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Priest — The Heb. kohen, Gr. hierus, Lat. sacerdos, always denote one who offers sacrifices. At first every man was his own priest, and presented his own sacrifices before God. Afterwards that office devolved on the head of the family, as in the cases of Noah (Gen. 8:20), Abraham (12:7; 13:4), Isaac (26:25), Jacob (31:54), and Job (Job 1:5). The name first occurs as applied to Melchizedek (Gen. 14:18). Under the Levitical arrangements the office of the priesthood was limited to the tribe of Levi, and to only one family of that tribe, the family of Aaron. Certain laws”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Titles and Names of Christ — Adam, Second -- 1Co 15:45. Almighty -- Re 1:18. Amen -- Re 3:14. Alpha and Omega -- Re 1:8; 22:13. Advocate -- 1Jo 2:1. Angel -- Ge 48:16; Ex 23:20,21. Angel of the Lord -- Ex 3:2; Jdj 13:15-18. Angel of God's presence -- Isa 63:9. Apostle -- Heb 3:1. Arm of the Lord -- Isa 51:9; 53:1. Author and Finisher or our faith -- Heb 12:2. Blessed and only Potentate -- 1Ti 6:15. Beginning of the creation of God -- Re 3:14. Branch -- Jer 23:5; Zec 3:8; 6:12. Bread of Life -- Joh 6:35,48. Captain of the Lord's hosts -- Jos 5:14,15. Captain of salvat”
- Genesis “Genesis 14:18 (YLT) — And Melchizedek king of Salem hath brought out bread and wine, and he <FI>is<Fi> priest of God Most High;”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 8, section 1: . Of The Priesthood Of Aaron. 1. When what has been described was brought to a conclusion, gifts not being yet presented, God appeared to Moses, and enjoined him to bestow the high priesthood upon Aaron his brother, as upon him that best of them all deserved to obtain that honor, on account of his virtue. And when he had gathered the multitude together, he gave them an account of Aaron's virtue, and of his good-will to them, and of the dangers he had undergone for their sakes. Upon which, when they had given testimony to him in a”
- Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 5:5: Christ glorified not himself - The man Jesus Christ, was also appointed by God to this most awful yet glorious office, of being the High Priest of the whole human race. The Jewish high priest represented this by the sacrifices of beasts which he offered; the Christian High Priest must offer his own life: Jesus Christ did so; and, rising from the dead, he ascended to heaven, and there ever appeareth in the presence of God for us. Thus he has reassumed the sacerdotal office; and because he never dies, he can never have a successor. He can have no vicars, either in hea”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 43:27: first father--collectively for "most ancient ancestors," as the parallelism ("teachers") proves [MAURER]. Or, thy chief religious ministers or priests [GESENIUS]. Adam, the common father of all nations, can hardly be meant here, as it would have been irrelevant to mention his sin in an address to the Jews specially. Abraham is equally out of place here, as he is everywhere cited as an example of faithfulness, not of "sin." However, taking the passage in its ultimate application to the Church at large, Adam may be meant. teachers--literally, "interpr”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 4:13: Seeing then that we have a great high priest,.... That Christ is a priest, and an high priest, has been observed already, in Heb 2:1 but here he is called a great one, because of the dignity of his person, as follows, and the virtue of his sacrifice; and because of the place where he now officiates as a priest, heaven and with respect to the continuation of his priesthood; and likewise because he makes others priests unto God; and this great high priest is no other than the Word of God before spoken of: so the divine Logos, or Word, is often called a priest, and an h”