High Priest
Peopleâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
The high priest served as the chief religious official of the Second Temple period, responsible for overseeing temple operations, conducting the annual Yom Kippur sacrifices, and acting as the primary mediator between the Israelite community and the divine.
What is the meaning of High Priest in the Bible?
The high priest served as the chief religious official of the Second Temple period, responsible for overseeing temple operations, conducting the annual Yom Kippur sacrifices, and acting as the primary mediator between the Israelite community and the divine.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the high priest's role clarifies the biblical emphasis on ritual purity, the exclusivity of atonement, and the theological framework that underpins New Testament portrayals of Jesus as the ultimate high priest.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention High Priest in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does High Priest clarify?
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.