Olney Hymns · Chapter
The True Aaron explained
This poem draws a parallel between Aaron, the high priest of Israel, and Jesus Christ as the true and greater High Priest.
What happens
This poem draws a parallel between Aaron, the high priest of Israel, and Jesus Christ as the true and greater High Priest. It describes Aaron's priestly garments and duties, then applies them typologically to Christ, who intercedes for believers in heaven, bearing their names on His heart and offering His own blood and prayers.
Themes in this chapter
Grace and Unmerited Favor
The poem emphasizes that salvation and intercession are gifts of grace, as Christ's sacrifice and priesthood are for sinners who are weak and vile.
Hope of Heaven and Eternal Life
The believer finds rest and assurance in Christ's heavenly intercession, looking forward to the Father's smile.
Characters to notice
- Jesus Christ
The true and greater Priest who pleads above the skies, bearing the names of His saints and offering His own blood and prayers.
- Moses
Implied as the one who consecrated Aaron, though not directly named in the excerpt.
- The Saints
Those whose names are engraved on Christ's heart and for whom He intercedes.
Key passages
“I See Aaron, God’s anointed priest, Within the veil appear, In robes of mystic meaning dress’d, Presenting Isr’el’s pray’r.”
I see Aaron, the priest chosen by God, entering the holy place behind the curtain, wearing symbolic garments, and offering up the prayers of the people of Israel.
Describes Aaron's role as mediator, foreshadowing Christ's intercession.
“The plate of gold which crowns his brows His holiness describes; His breast displays, in shining rows, The names of all the tribes.”
The golden plate on his forehead signifies his consecration to God, and the breastplate bears the names of the twelve tribes in gleaming rows.
Highlights the priestly attire and its symbolic meaning.
“With the atoning blood he stands Before the mercy-seat; And clouds of incense from his hands Arise with odour sweet.”
He stands before the mercy seat with the blood of atonement, and fragrant incense rises from his hands.
Depicts the Day of Atonement rituals, pointing to Christ's sacrifice.
“Urim and Thummim near his heart, In rich engravings worn, The sacred light of truth impart, To teach and to adorn.”
The Urim and Thummim, worn near his heart with intricate engravings, give divine guidance and truth, serving both to instruct and to beautify.
References the mysterious objects used for seeking God's will.
“Through him the eye of faith descries A greater Priest than he:— Thus Jesus pleads above the skies For you, my friends, and me.”
By looking at Aaron, faith sees a greater priest—Jesus, who intercedes in heaven for all of us.
The central typological connection between Aaron and Christ.
“He bears the names of all his saints Deep on his heart engraved, Attentive to the state and wants Of all his love has saved.”
He carries the names of all his holy ones engraved deeply on his heart, always mindful of the condition and needs of those he has saved.
Christ's constant intercession and care for believers.