Up until the later part of the Second Temple period, the position of the High Priest was a life nomination, passed down from father to son. Highest in rank among the priests, only he was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies, and even he only once a year - on Yom Kippur. In a cases where the son was too young or the High Priest bore no son, the position was passed on to another priestly family.

The wardrobe of the High Priest consisted of splended garments, including a turban that bore God's name. These clothes were guarded in a special room, to be worn on Yom Kippur and on the three holidays of pilgrimage � Pessah (Passover), Succoth (Tabernacles) and Shavu`ot (Pentecost). During the rest of the year the High Priest wore a more modest outfit.

Since the temple was the religious center during the Second Temple period, the position of the High Priest reached far beyond the religious domain and incorporated a political status as well. Herod himself was well aware of the High Priest's great power. Since he could not become a priest himself, he took the liberty of appointing and replacing High priests at will and in this way weakened the position of the High Priesthood.