High priest — Meaning in the Bible
The chief priest of Israel, who alone entered the most holy place once a year on the Day of Atonement. Aaron was the first.
What it means
Aaron wore special garments, including the ephod and the breastpiece, and once a year entered the most holy place to make atonement for the nation. The office passed to his son Eleazar. Exodus 28:1–4Leviticus 16:32–34Numbers 20:25–28
In the Gospels the high priest Caiaphas questions Jesus. Hebrews calls Jesus the great high priest who entered heaven itself. Matthew 26:57–65Hebrews 4:14–16Hebrews 9:11–12
Key passages
- Leviticus 16:1–34 — The Day of Atonement.
- Numbers 20:22–29 — Office passes from Aaron to Eleazar.
- Matthew 26:57–68 — Jesus before Caiaphas.
- Hebrews 4:14–16 — A great high priest.
Original language
ἀρχιερεύς archiereus
Greek · Strong’s G749 · gloss: “high-priest”
The Greek word archiereus, high (chief) priest. Hebrews 4:14
A Strong’s number is a reference identifier, not a complete definition: what a word means in a passage depends on its context. Lexical data: STEPBible.org, based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).
Study further
- Leviticus 16 The high priest's yearly task.
- Hebrews 9 Hebrews explains Christ's priesthood.