Greek · G749 · unreviewed

ἀρχιερεύς

High-priest

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

ἀρχιερεύς G749

Pronunciation archiereús

What does ἀρχιερεύς (archiereús) mean in the Bible?

ἀρχιερεύς (archiereús) is a Greek word meaning "high-priest". ἀρχιερεύς, -έως, ὁ, [in LXX for כּ'' הָרֹאשׁ,כּ'' הַגָּדוֹל ,כּהֵן ;] __1. Identifies Jesus as the supreme mediator. This term runs through the canonical themes of Priesthood.

Full entry for ἀρχιερεύς (G749) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

high-priest

Extended definition

Singular or plural office representing the Jewish priesthood's apex; includes ex-high-priests and aristocratic priestly families.

1high-priest: Mrk.2:26 14:47, al.; of Christ: Heb.2:17 3:1, al.

2In pl., chief priests, including ex-high-priests and members of high-priestly families: Mat.2:4, Mrk.8:31, al. (Cremer, 294; DCG, i, 297f.; MM, see word).

Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith

Why This Word Matters

Identifies Jesus as the supreme mediator. Acts 22:30-23:5

Represents official religious leadership confronting Paul. Hebrews 4:14-16

Grammatical Forms

How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.

Nominative · Plural · Masculine Matt 21:15 · Matt 21:23 · Matt 21:45 · Matt 26:3 · Matt 26:59 · Matt 27:1 · Matt 27:6 · Matt 27:20 · Matt 27:41 · Matt 27:62 · Mark 11:18 · Mark 11:27 · Mark 14:1 · Mark 14:53 · Mark 14:55 · Mark 15:1 40×

Nominative · Singular · Masculine Matt 26:62 · Matt 26:63 · Matt 26:65 · Mark 14:60 · Mark 14:61 · Mark 14:63 · John 11:49 · John 11:51 · John 18:13 · John 18:19 · Acts 4:6 · Acts 5:17 · Acts 5:21 · Acts 5:27 · Acts 7:1 · Acts 22:5 28×

Genitive · Singular · Masculine Matt 26:3 · Matt 26:51 · Matt 26:58 · Mark 2:26 · Mark 14:47 · Mark 14:54 · Mark 14:66 · Luke 3:2 · Luke 22:50 · Luke 22:54 · John 18:10 · John 18:15 · John 18:16 · John 18:26 · Acts 19:14 · Heb 13:11 16×

Genitive · Plural · Masculine Matt 16:21 · Matt 26:47 · Matt 27:12 · Mark 8:31 · Mark 14:43 · Luke 9:22 · John 18:3 · Acts 9:14 · Acts 26:10 · Acts 26:12 10×

Dative · Plural · Masculine Matt 20:18 · Matt 27:3 · Matt 28:11 · Mark 10:33 · Luke 22:4 · Acts 23:14 6×

Dative · Singular · Masculine John 18:15 · John 18:22 · Acts 9:1 3×

Accusative · Plural · Masculine Matt 2:4 · Matt 26:14 · Mark 14:10 · Luke 22:52 · Luke 23:4 · Luke 23:13 · John 7:45 · Acts 9:21 · Acts 22:30 · Heb 7:28 10×

Accusative · Singular · Masculine Matt 26:57 · Mark 14:53 · John 18:24 · Acts 23:4 · Heb 3:1 · Heb 4:14 · Heb 4:15 · Heb 5:5 · Heb 8:1 9×

Canonical Themes

Priesthood

Biblical Occurrences

Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.

New Testament Witnesses

Acts 22:30-23:5 High Priest archiereús Accusative · Plural · Masculine

Chief priestly authority.

Hebrews 4:14-16 ἀχιεες archiereús Accusative · Singular · Masculine

high priest

Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

Acts 23 — The Lord Stands Near Paul and Preserves His Witness John 18 — The Arrested King: Betrayal, Sovereign Surrender, Denial, Trial, and the Kingdom Not of This World Mark 11 — The King Comes to Jerusalem: Fig Tree, Temple Judgment, Faith, Forgiveness, and Authority Mark 14 — The Son of Man Handed Over: Anointing, Supper, Gethsemane, Betrayal, Trial, and Denial Mark 15 — The Crucified King: Condemnation, Mockery, Death, Confession, and Burial Mark 8 — Seeing Jesus Clearly: Bread, Blindness, Confession, Cross, and Discipleship Matthew 16 — The Confession of the Christ, the Church Christ Builds, and the Cross-Shaped Way of Discipleship Matthew 2 — The Messiah Worshiped, Threatened, Preserved, and Called Out of Egypt Matthew 20 — The First-Last Kingdom, the Ransom-Giving Son of Man, and Mercy for the Blind Matthew 21 — The King Enters Jerusalem, Judges Fruitless Religion, and Exposes Rejected-Son Leadership Matthew 28 — The Resurrection of Jesus and the Great Commission of the Risen King

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources

MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain

Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0

Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0

STEPBible Data — CC BY 4.0

Full license details