Greek: ἀρχιερεύς (archiereus, G0749) "chief priest" OT background: Aaron + sons + descendants as Levitical high priests (Exodus 28-29; Leviticus 8-9; Leviticus 16 Day of Atonement); Melchizedek as alternate, older priestly order (Genesis 14:18-20; Psalm 110:4). Peak treatment: Hebrews 4:14-10:18, extended Christological argument that Jesus is the great High Priest who supersedes the Levitical system.
The Hebrews Christology, three-step argument
- Christ as great High Priest who sympathizes with our weakness (Hebrews 4:14-16), superior in his sinless humanity that nevertheless was tempted in every way.
- Christ as priest after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5; Hebrews 7), citing Psalms 110:4. Melchizedek's priesthood is older than Aaron's, royal-priestly combined, and without recorded genealogy (Hebrews 7:3). Jesus's priesthood is on this older, superior pattern.
- Christ as the once-for-all sacrificial High Priest who offers himself (Hebrews 8-10), entering not the earthly tabernacle but heaven itself; offering not the blood of bulls and goats but his own blood; not annually but once forever.
Key passages
| Passage | Substance |
|---|---|
Hebrews 2:17 | "in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people" |
Hebrews 3:1 | "the Apostle and High Priest of our confession" |
Hebrews 4:14-16 | Great High Priest who sympathizes; come boldly to the throne of grace |
Hebrews 5:5-10 | Christ's appointment via Psalms 110:4, priest forever, order of Melchizedek |
Hebrews 6:20 | Jesus entered the heavenly Holy of Holies as "forerunner" |
Hebrews 7:11-28 | Sustained argument for Melchizedek-order superiority over Levitical |
Hebrews 8:1-2 | "we have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens" |
Hebrews 9:11-14 | "Christ having come as a high priest of the coming good things… through his own blood, entered in once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption" |
Hebrews 9:24-28 | Once-for-all priestly self-offering; appearing a second time without sin |
Hebrews 10:11-14 | Levitical priests sacrifice repeatedly; Christ "offered one sacrifice for sins forever" |
Theological framing
Lamb-Priest identification, Christ is uniquely both the High Priest who offers AND the Lamb who is offered. The two titles (+ this one) are converse aspects of the same atoning event.
Once-for-all atonement, Hebrews 10:14 anchors traditional Protestant rejection of repeated sacrificial efficacy (esp. in eucharistic theology debates with traditional RC). Roman Catholic theology distinguishes between the once-for-all bloody sacrifice on Calvary and the unbloody re-presentation in the Mass; Protestant traditions vary.
Threefold-office connection, High Priest is the priestly office in the prophet/priest/king Christology (cross-link).
Intercessory ministry, Hebrews 7:25 "he lives forever to make intercession for them" links the title to Christ's present ministry, not just past atonement.