The Holy of Holies, also known as the Most Holy Place, is the innermost and most sacred area of the ancient Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem. It is a central element in the religious life of Israel as described in the Hebrew Scriptures. The Holy of Holies was the dwelling place of the divine presence of God, known as the Shekinah glory, and was separated from the rest of the Tabernacle or Temple by a veil.

Biblical Description and Significance

The Holy of Holies is first described in the Book of Exodus as part of the instructions given to Moses for the construction of the Tabernacle. It was a perfect cube, measuring ten cubits on each side in the Tabernacle (Exodus 26:33-34). In Solomon's Temple, the dimensions were expanded to twenty cubits (1 Kings 6:20). The veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place was made of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim worked into it by a skilled craftsman (Exodus 26:31).

Ark of the Testimony

The primary and most significant item contained within the Holy of Holies was the Ark of the Testimony, also known as the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was a sacred chest made of acacia wood, overlaid with pure gold inside and out, and it featured a gold lid known as the Mercy Seat (Exodus 25:10-22). The Ark contained the two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, which were given to Moses on Mount Sinai, representing God's covenant with Israel (Exodus 25:16).

The Ark of the Testimony was not only a physical representation of God's covenant but also a symbol of His presence and guidance. Above the Mercy Seat were two cherubim with outstretched wings, and it was here that God would meet with Moses and communicate His will for the people of Israel (Exodus 25:22).

Rituals and Access

Access to the Holy of Holies was highly restricted. Only the High Priest could enter, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). On this day, the High Priest would enter to make atonement for the sins of the people, sprinkling the blood of a sacrificial animal on the Mercy Seat (Leviticus 16:2-34). This ritual underscored the holiness of God and the need for purification and atonement for sin.

Theological Implications

The Holy of Holies and the Ark of the Testimony hold profound theological significance. They emphasize the holiness and separateness of God, the seriousness of sin, and the necessity of atonement. The veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the Temple symbolized the barrier between a holy God and sinful humanity.

In the New Testament, the tearing of the veil at the moment of Jesus' death (Matthew 27:51) is seen as a powerful symbol of the new access to God made possible through Christ's atoning sacrifice. This event signifies the removal of the barrier between God and humanity, allowing believers direct access to the divine presence through faith in Jesus Christ.

The Holy of Holies, with the Ark of the Testimony, remains a profound symbol of God's covenant, presence, and the ultimate reconciliation between God and humanity through the work of Jesus Christ.Exodus 26:33
And you shall hang up the veil under the clasps, that you may bring in thither within the veil the ark of the testimony: and the veil shall divide to you between the holy place and the most holy.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 40:3,21
And you shall put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the veil.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ...
... as already observed (ad 4), the inner tabernacle, called the Holy of Holies, signified
the ... For the ark contained the tables of the Law, in order to prevent ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sufficient reason can be.htm

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
... Egyptian arks contained symbols of their gods, degrading, bestial, and often impure;
but ... in verse 3 was that which hung between the holy of holies and the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the copies of things in.htm

Scriptural Types.
... From the very nature of the offering, this act of presentation contained an
acknowledgment of guilt that needed ... In respect to the holy of holies, we have ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

Folly of the Arguments Derived by the Heretics from Numbers ...
... Each table which he received from God contained five [3181] commandments. The
veil covering [3182] the holy of holies had five pillars. ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxiv folly of the arguments.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... Besides the outer court, which contained the altar of burnt-offering, the tabernacle ...
676) and he looked within the inner veil, upon the holy of holies. ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /23 what is the sanctuary.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... Besides the outer court, which contained the altar of burnt offering, the tabernacle ...
11:19), and he looked within the inner veil, upon the holy of holies. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 23 what is the.htm

Letter Xlvi. Paula and Eustochium to Marcella.
... The Jews of old reverenced the Holy of Holies, because of the things contained in
it ... we venerate the tombs of the martyrs; we apply their holy ashes to our ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xlvi paula and eustochium.htm

Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna
... of the law, rested in the Holy of holies upon the ... in brief: "The Lord is in His holy
temple;" [3021 ... the heaven that contains Him who can be contained of none? ...
/.../the writings of methodius fragments/oration concerning simeon and anna.htm

The Object of Theology
... and the accusing, convincing, and condemning power of the law which was contained
in that ... which you wish to know, is sacred"nay, it is the holy of holies. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/oration i the object of.htm

Of Immediate Revelation.
... The whole strength of the argument is contained in the apostle's words before-mentioned;
which ... Again: Under the law there was the holy of holies, into which ...
/.../proposition ii of immediate revelation.htm

What does it mean that God is holy, holy, holy? | GotQuestions.org

What were the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place in the temple / tabernacle? | GotQuestions.org

Can you lose the Holy Spirit? | GotQuestions.org

Holy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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