Type/antitype 1902–1936

Aaron

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Also known as Aaron the High Priest · High Priest Aaron

The interpretation of Aaron changed several times. In 1880 Aaron, robed and anointed, could represent the entire Christ, Jesus and his Church, while in specific parts of the Atonement Day drama he represented first Jesus and later the complete Christ. By 1902 Aaron as the typical high priest was identified more specifically with Christ Jesus. Under Rutherford this identification was first retained, then broadened in some statements to the sacrificing priesthood, and in 1927 the direct identification was explicitly rejected: Aaron was said not to be a type of Jesus, but to foreshadow a work that Jesus would do. Other passages used Aaron contextually for the faithful remnant. In 1936 the direct identification was restored, with Aaron again called a type of Christ Jesus. From 1942 onward the interpretation became consistently focused on Aaron as the sacrificing high priest foreshadowing Christ Jesus as Jehovah's High Priest. This identification was repeatedly restated in 1943, 1945, 1946, 1951, 1953, 1955, 1963, 1976, 1978 and 1979. No later change was found through 1980.

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Russell

Charles Taze Russell · 1877–1916

1 reading
  1. 1902 Narrowed

    The typical high priest Aaron was identified specifically with Christ Jesus, the greater High Priest.

    1 quote
    As the typical house had a high priest, Aaron, so the antitypical house has a greater high priest, Christ Jesus our Lord, the high priest of our profession.
    The Watchtower, March 15, 1902

Rutherford

Joseph F. Rutherford · 1917–1942

3 readings
  1. 1921 Broadened

    Aaron was applied more broadly to the sacrificing priesthood, including the Church during its earthly career.

    1 quote
    These are also designated members of the royal priesthood. (1 Peter 2:9,10) During their earthly career they are counted as members of the sacrificing priesthood, of which Aaron was a type. Aaron and his sons were required to serve before the Lord in the ceremonies in connection with the tabernacle in the wilderness. Two of Aaron’s sons were stricken dead because they offered strange fire before the Lord.
    The Harp of God, 1921
  2. 1927 Reversal

    The former direct identification was explicitly rejected. Aaron was said not to be a type of Jesus personally, but to foreshadow a work that Jesus performed.

    1 quote
    Aaron therefore was not a type of Jesus, but Aaron foreshadowed a work which Jesus would do and which he did.
    The Watchtower, March 15, 1927
  3. 1936 Reversal

    The 1927 rejection was reversed: Aaron was once again directly called a type of Christ Jesus, Jehovah's High Priest.

    1 quote
    Aaron, the high priest, presented the two goats, bringing them into the court before the tabernacle. In this Aaron was a type of Christ Jesus, the high priest of Jehovah. These two he-goats described in Leviticus 16: 5 were selected from amongst the goats in possession of the Israelites. The antitypical great High Priest, Christ Jesus, began the selection of the two antitypical goats in the day of the apostles.
    The Watchtower, May 15, 1936