The high priest held the top religious office in Israel. He was responsible for the main sacrifice on the Day of Atonement. The book of Hebrews also calls Jesus (Yeshua‘) a priest but in Hebrews 10:21 “great priest” is a literal translation of cohen hagadol, the Hebrew term for the high priest.
Jesus brought a new covenant and was also both the priest and the sacrifice necessary to implement it. He succeeded where the old priesthood and sacrifices were inadequate (Heb. 10:1, 12). To be the prefect priest Jesus had to be perfectly human and perfectly divine. Hebrews emphasizes a third qualification, that He is of the order of Melchizedek (instead of Levi), without genealogy, and that God appointed Him to the office (Heb. 5:5-6). Jesus’ work as high priest continues now and forever in intercession (Heb. 7:25; 9:24).
High Priest in the Greek text of Hebrews 3:1.
High Priest in Greek:
Archiereus
Strong’s Concordance number: 749
Bible references: Heb. 2:17; 3:1; 4:14-15; 5:10; 7:26; 8:1; 9:11; 10:21 (KJV)
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. (Hebrews 3:1)
Other names of Jesus emphasize what He does in His priestly role. He is the Mediator of a new covenant and a minister in the sanctuary.
