### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adjective ἀρχιερατικός (archieratikós), `{{G748}}`, is a compound term derived from ἀρχή (archē, `{{G746}}`), meaning "chief" or "first," and a derivative of ἱερός (hieros, `{{G2413}}`), meaning "sacred" or "holy." Specifically, it is formed from the noun ἀρχιερεύς (archiereus, `{{G749}}`), "high priest," with the adjectival suffix -ικός. Therefore, ἀρχιερατικός literally means "pertaining to the high priest" or "of the high-priestly office/family." Its semantic range is narrow, exclusively describing something that belongs to, relates to, or is characteristic of the high priest or the high-priestly institution. It does not denote the high priest himself, but rather a quality or relationship connected to that office.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἀρχιερατικός occurs only once in the New Testament, in the book of Acts:
* **[[Acts 4:6]]**: "and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem."
* In this passage, the phrase is "τοῦ ἀρχιερατικοῦ γένους" (tou archieratikou genous), which translates to "of the high-priestly family" or "of the high-priestly lineage." The context is the gathering of the Sanhedrin, specifically the ruling council, to interrogate Peter and John after the healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate. Annas is identified as the high priest, and Caiaphas was his son-in-law and the acting high priest. The inclusion of "those of the high-priestly family" emphasizes the broad influence and hereditary nature of the priestly aristocracy in Jerusalem at that time. This verse highlights the consolidated power and authority wielded by this specific aristocratic class, who were deeply invested in maintaining the religious and social order. Their presence underscores the official, institutional opposition faced by the nascent Christian movement.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is the noun ἀρχιερεύς (archiereus, `{{G749}}`), "high priest," from which ἀρχιερατικός is derived. Other related terms include:
* ἱερεύς (hiereus, `{{G2409}}`): A priest, a broader term for any priest, not just the chief.
* ἱερός (hieros, `{{G2413}}`): Holy, sacred, the root concept for priesthood.
* ἀρχή (archē, `{{G746}}`): Chief, beginning, rule, indicating the preeminence of the high priest.
* Concepts associated with ἀρχιερατικός include the Levitical priesthood, the temple service, the Sanhedrin, religious authority, hereditary succession within the priestly families, and the Old Covenant system of worship. The term implicitly stands in contrast to the New Covenant's understanding of priesthood, particularly the unique and eternal high priesthood of Jesus Christ, which is "not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life" ([[Hebrews 7:16]]).
### Theological Significance
While ἀρχιερατικός itself is a descriptive adjective with a specific, limited usage, its theological significance derives from what it describes: the established human institution of the high priesthood in the Second Temple period. In [[Acts 4:6]], the term points to the collective power and influence of the priestly aristocracy, who represented the apex of Jewish religious and political authority under Roman rule. This group, particularly the Sadducees, was largely responsible for the condemnation of Jesus and continued to oppose His followers.
The high-priestly office, though divinely instituted under the Mosaic Covenant, had become, by the time of Christ, a position often influenced by political appointment and worldly power. The "high-priestly family" represented a closed, hereditary caste that guarded its privileges and traditions. Their opposition to Peter and John, who preached resurrection and healing in Jesus' name, illustrates the clash between the rigid, institutionalized religion and the dynamic, Spirit-empowered message of the Gospel. The term thus serves to highlight the human, earthly authority that stood against God's new work in Christ, implicitly setting the stage for the theological contrast between the temporary, Levitical priesthood and the eternal, perfect priesthood of Christ ([[Hebrews 7:11-28]]).
### Summary
ἀρχιερατικός (`{{G748}}`) is a Greek adjective meaning "pertaining to the high priest" or "of the high-priestly family/office." Its sole New Testament occurrence in [[Acts 4:6]] describes the "high-priestly family" present at the Sanhedrin's interrogation of Peter and John. The term underscores the hereditary and institutional authority of the Jewish priestly aristocracy, who represented the established religious order and opposed the early Christian message. While descriptively narrow, its usage highlights the human, Old Covenant-era religious power structure that stood in contrast to the new spiritual authority of Jesus Christ and His apostles, implicitly foreshadowing the theological shift from the temporary Levitical priesthood to Christ's eternal high priesthood.
TRV