Understanding ἀρχιερεύς (archiereus) Strong’s G749: The Sacred Office of High Priest Pointing to Our Ultimate Mediator

Pronunciation Guide: ar-khee-er-yooce’

Basic Definition

Strong’s G749: The ἀρχιερεύς was the chief priest or high priest in ancient Israel, serving as the supreme religious authority and intermediary between God and the people. This official held the highest rank in the Jewish priesthood, being uniquely responsible for the Day of Atonement ritual and other sacred duties. The term combines ἄρχω (to rule) and ἱερεύς (priest), literally meaning “chief priest” or “ruling priest.”

Etymology and Morphology

• Compound word from ἄρχω (archō, “to rule”) and ἱερεύς (hiereus, “priest”)
• Noun used primarily in historical narrative and theological discourse
• Frequent usage in priestly and sacrificial contexts
• Common in both Septuagint and New Testament literature
• Primary usage in formal, religious, and legal contexts

ἀρχιερεύς Morphology:

• ἀρχιερεύς (nominative singular) – high priest
• ἀρχιερέως (genitive singular) – of the high priest
• ἀρχιερεῖ (dative singular) – to/for the high priest
• ἀρχιερέα (accusative singular) – the high priest
• ἀρχιερεῖς (nominative plural) – high priests
• ἀρχιερέων (genitive plural) – of the high priests

Origin & History

The term ἀρχιερεύς emerged in classical Greek literature to designate religious leaders of various cults and temples. Herodotus, in his “Histories” (2.37), uses it to describe Egyptian chief priests. The Septuagint translators adopted this term to render the Hebrew כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל (kohen gadol), establishing its specific Jewish theological significance.

In the Second Temple period, the role gained unprecedented political importance. Josephus, in his “Antiquities of the Jews” (20.10), documents how the office became increasingly politicized under Roman rule, with high priests being appointed and deposed by political authorities rather than inherited through the traditional Aaronic lineage.

The early church fathers, particularly Clement of Rome in his “First Epistle to the Corinthians” (40-41), used ἀρχιερεύς extensively in drawing parallels between the Levitical priesthood and the Messiah’s eternal high priesthood.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Supreme religious authority in the Jewish temple system
• Mediator between God and the people through sacrificial worship
• Political-religious leader in Second Temple Judaism
• Type and shadow of the Messiah’s eternal priesthood

ἀρχιερεύς Translation Options:

• “High Priest” – Most common translation, emphasizing official position
• “Chief Priest” – Highlighting administrative authority
• “Supreme Priest” – Stressing hierarchical supremacy
• “Principal Priest” – Emphasizing leadership role within priesthood

Biblical Usage

The term ἀρχιερεύς appears significantly in both historical narratives and theological discourse throughout the New Testament. In the Gospels, it often refers to Caiaphas and other members of the priestly aristocracy who opposed Jesus. The book of Hebrews elevates the term to its ultimate theological significance by applying it to Jesus as the perfect and eternal High Priest.

The Septuagint uses ἀρχιερεύς to translate references to Aaron and his successors, establishing the connection between the Levitical priesthood and its ultimate fulfillment in the Messiah.

• “And when he had gathered all the chief priests [ἀρχιερεύς] and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where the Messiah should be born.” Matthew 2:4
• “Seeing then that we have a great high priest [ἀρχιερεύς], that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.” Hebrews 4:14
• “For such an high priest [ἀρχιερεύς] became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.” Hebrews 7:26
• “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest [ἀρχιερεύς], who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.” Hebrews 8:1
• “But the high priest [ἀρχιερεύς] alone enters the second room, and that only once a year, and never without blood.” Hebrews 9:7

Cultural Insights

The high priest’s garments were rich with symbolism, including the breastplate containing twelve precious stones representing the tribes of Israel. On Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, wearing simple white linen garments symbolizing purity. This annual event was so sacred that a rope was tied to his ankle in case he died in God’s presence, allowing his body to be pulled out without others entering the sacred space.

The high priest’s role in Second Temple Judaism became increasingly political, with the Romans often appointing multiple high priests simultaneously, contrary to the biblical mandate of a single lifetime appointment. This corruption of the office serves as a powerful backdrop to the New Testament’s presentation of Jesus as the true and eternal High Priest.

Theological Significance

The office of ἀρχιερεύς reaches its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus the Messiah. Unlike the Levitical high priests who had to offer sacrifices for their own sins before serving as mediators for the people, Jesus serves as the perfect High Priest because of His sinless nature and divine-human identity.

The book of Hebrews particularly emphasizes how Jesus’ high priesthood transcends and fulfills the Aaronic priesthood. His priesthood, after the order of Melchizedek, is eternal and based on the power of an indestructible life rather than legal requirement. This transformation of the high priestly office reveals God’s progressive revelation and the superiority of the New Covenant.

Through His high priestly ministry, Jesus combines perfectly the roles of both priest and sacrifice, offering Himself once for all time. This demonstrates God’s wisdom in providing complete redemption through one perfect mediator.

Personal Application

Understanding Jesus as our ἀρχιερεύς transforms our approach to worship and prayer. Just as ancient Israelites relied on the high priest’s mediation for access to God, we now have direct access to the Father through our eternal High Priest, Jesus. This truth should embolden us to “approach the throne of grace with confidence” (Hebrews 4:16).

Moreover, Jesus’ role as High Priest assures us of His constant intercession on our behalf. When we struggle with sin or feel unworthy to approach God, we can rest in knowing that our High Priest sympathizes with our weaknesses and ever lives to make intercession for us.

Related Words

• ἱερεύς (hiereus, hee-er-yooce’) – priest, one who offers sacrifices and performs other sacred duties, distinguished from ἀρχιερεύς by level of authority. See G2409
• λειτουργός (leitourgos, lay-toorg-os’) – minister, public servant, especially in sacred duties. See G3011
• ἱεράτευμα (hierateuma, hee-er-at’-yoo-mah) – priesthood, body of priests. See G2406
• ἱερατεία (hierateia, hee-er-at-i’-ah) – priestly office or service. See G2405

Did you Know?

• The high priest’s golden crown bore the inscription “Holy to יהוה (Yahweh)” in Hebrew, symbolizing his unique consecration to divine service and his role in bearing the iniquity of the holy things the Israelites consecrated.
• During the Second Temple period, the high priest’s garments were kept under Roman guard in the Antonia Fortress and only released for use on festivals, showing the political control over religious affairs that characterized this era.
• The tradition of the high priest wearing a rope around his ankle during the Day of Atonement service, while widely believed, is not mentioned in biblical or early rabbinic sources but emerges in later Jewish tradition, highlighting the awesome responsibility and danger associated with entering God’s presence.

Remember This

Jesus the Messiah serves as our eternal ἀρχιερεύς, perfectly fulfilling and transcending the ancient high priestly office through His once-for-all sacrifice and ongoing intercession, granting us direct access to the Father’s presence.