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 Old Testament. The Holy of Holies was the dwelling place of the presence of God, symbolized by 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 construction of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, as detailed in the book of Exodus. It was a perfect cube, measuring ten cubits on each side in the Tabernacle (Exodus 26:33-34) and later expanded to twenty cubits in Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 6:20). The 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 pot of manna (Hebrews 9:4).

The Mercy-Seat

The Mercy-Seat, or kapporet in Hebrew, was the gold cover placed on top of the Ark of the Covenant. It was flanked by two cherubim, also made of gold, with their wings spread upward, overshadowing the Mercy-Seat (Exodus 25:17-22). The Mercy-Seat served as the symbolic throne of God, where He would meet with Moses and communicate His will for the people of Israel. The Lord said to Moses, "There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will command you regarding the Israelites" (Exodus 25:22).

Ritual 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 solemn day, the High Priest would enter with the blood of a sacrificial animal to atone for his sins and the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:2-34). The blood was sprinkled on the Mercy-Seat, symbolizing the atonement and reconciliation between God and His people.

Theological Implications

The Holy of Holies and the Mercy-Seat hold profound theological significance. They represent the holiness and unapproachable nature of God, as well as His desire to dwell among His people. The Mercy-Seat, in particular, is a powerful symbol of God's grace and mercy, foreshadowing the ultimate atonement through Jesus Christ. The New Testament book of Hebrews draws a parallel between the High Priest's annual entry into the Holy of Holies and Christ's once-for-all sacrifice, stating, "But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands, that is, not of this creation" (Hebrews 9:11).

Destruction and Fulfillment

The Holy of Holies in the First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC, and the Second Temple's Holy of Holies was desecrated and ultimately destroyed by the Romans in AD 70. According to Christian theology, the tearing of the Temple veil at the moment of Christ's death (Matthew 27:51) signifies the end of the old covenant and the establishment of a new covenant, granting believers direct access to God through Jesus Christ, the ultimate High Priest.Exodus 26:34
And you shall put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in the most holy place.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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

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

The Veil Rent
... trim the lamps; and the Holy of Holies, where only ... barred, because it is impossible
that a holy and righteous ... the grace of sacrament comes, is contained in the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the veil rent.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"the cherubim, the mercy-seat, the ark of the covenant, the manna ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xlvi paula and eustochium.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

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 Spiritual Life
... were was called the Holy of holies, within which ... the Word is from Him, and is therefore
holy, that there ... to the Divine commandments, which are contained in a ...
/.../swedenborg/spiritual life and the word of god/part firstthe spiritual life.htm

The New Covenant.
... which is called the Holy of holies; having a ... in once for all into the holy place,
having ... it necessary to enumerate in detail what the tabernacle contained. ...
/.../chapter viii the new covenant.htm

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