Topical Encyclopedia
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 the place where the presence of God was believed to dwell, and it was separated from the rest of the Tabernacle or Temple by a veil. Only the High Priest was permitted to enter the Holy of Holies, and this occurred only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), as described in
Leviticus 16.
Biblical Description and SignificanceThe Holy of Holies housed the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod that budded, and a golden jar of manna (
Hebrews 9:4). The Ark was considered the earthly throne of God, and the mercy seat atop the Ark was where the High Priest would sprinkle the blood of the sacrificial offering to atone for the sins of the people.
Golden CenserThe Golden Censer is mentioned in the context of the Holy of Holies in the New Testament, specifically in the Book of Hebrews.
Hebrews 9:3-4 states, "Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant."
The mention of the Golden Censer in Hebrews has led to some debate among scholars, as the Old Testament primarily associates the altar of incense with the Holy Place, not the Holy of Holies. However, the reference in Hebrews may indicate the censer's use by the High Priest on the Day of Atonement when he would take coals from the altar of incense and bring them into the Holy of Holies, along with incense, to create a cloud of smoke that would cover the mercy seat (
Leviticus 16:12-13).
Theological ImplicationsThe presence of the Golden Censer in the Holy of Holies underscores the importance of prayer and intercession in the relationship between God and His people. The incense represents the prayers of the saints, as seen in
Revelation 5:8 : "And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."
The Holy of Holies, with its sacred contents, including the Golden Censer, symbolizes the holiness and inaccessibility of God, as well as the need for a mediator. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is presented as the ultimate High Priest who, through His sacrifice, has entered the heavenly Holy of Holies once for all, securing eternal redemption for believers (
Hebrews 9:11-12). This act tore the veil, granting believers direct access to God (
Matthew 27:51), thus fulfilling the symbolic role of the Golden Censer in mediating between God and humanity.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Hebrews 9:4Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
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
The Ark of his Covenant
... Reflect also, beloved brethren, that the promises contained in the covenant change
not. ... no temple, no holy court, no inner shrine, the holy of holies. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 41 1895/the ark of his covenant.htm
The Copies of Things in the Heavens
... Egyptian arks contained symbols of their gods, degrading, bestial ... which hung between
the holy of holies and the ... that, in coming from the most holy place, the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the copies of things in.htm
Interpretation of Holy Scripture. --Inspired Interpretation. --The ...
... once a year, into the Holy of Holies, not without ... have but to weigh well what the
Holy Spirit hath ... Priesthood, from the very brief narrative contained in the ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon v interpretation of holy.htm
The New Covenant.
... which is called the Holy of holies; having a ... necessary to enumerate in detail what
the tabernacle contained. ... Moreover, between the holy place and the holiest ...
/.../chapter viii the new covenant.htm
Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... but that the temple and its services contained many types ... looked to the west toward
the holy of holies. ... was but thirty cubits high, and the most holy but twenty ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm
The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
... earth, but in the holy of the holies, or after ... The Holy Ghost, in my mind, thus
signifying that grace ... and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the saints privilege and profit.htm
part ii
... Lady, the Mother of God, was sanctified from Her early childhood, from Her mother's
womb, and afterwards the Lord sanctified Her in the Holy of Holies with the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm
Resources
What are some of the symbols of the Holy Spirit in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWill the Holy Spirit ever leave a believer? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I live a holy life? | GotQuestions.orgHoly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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