English

Alternative forms

• highpriest

Noun

high priest ‎(plural high priests)

1. A clergyman with a higher function than a normal priest.
2. In the history of the Hebrew Testament (Tanakh), the male person who was responsible for making the annual sacrifice on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). Always a descendant of Aaron the older brother of Moses.
3. Jesus Christ.
4. (Mormonism) The second-lowest office in the Melchizedek priesthood.

   Jake was ordained a high priest when he was called to be a counselor in a bishopric.

5. A person holding a position of power or influence; an authority in a field of study, doctrine, art or a movement.
   • 2011, Robert Skidelsky, The Keynes-Hayek Rematch:

     The global economic collapse of 2007-2008 discredited “rational expectations” economics (though its high priests have yet to recognize this) and brought both Keynes and Hayek back into posthumous contention.

6. (Wicca) A third degree (sometimes forth degree) male witch in Wicca.

Derived terms

• highpriesthood
• highpriestly
• highpriestship

Coordinate terms

• high priestess

Translations

References

"High Priest," Bible Dictionary, The Official Scriptures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2006.