Topical Bible: Holy of Holies: The High Priest: Entered, not Without Blood of Atonement

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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 was the earthly dwelling place of the presence of God, represented by the Ark of the Covenant. Access to this sacred space was highly restricted, emphasizing the holiness of God and the separation between God and humanity due to sin.

Biblical Description and Significance

The Holy of Holies was separated from the rest of the Tabernacle or Temple by a veil, symbolizing the barrier between God and man. Only the High Priest was permitted to enter this sacred space, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). This annual event was a profound expression of the need for atonement and reconciliation with God.

The Role of the High Priest

The High Priest served as the mediator between God and the people of Israel. On the Day of Atonement, he entered the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sins of the nation. This was a solemn and sacred duty, underscoring the gravity of sin and the necessity of divine forgiveness.

Entered, Not Without Blood

The entry of the High Priest into the Holy of Holies was not a casual or routine act. According to the Law, he could not enter without the blood of a sacrificial offering. This blood was essential for making atonement for himself and for the people. The Book of Hebrews in the New Testament reflects on this practice, stating, "But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance" (Hebrews 9:7).

The blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled on the mercy seat, the cover of the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing the appeasement of God's wrath and the covering of the people's sins. This act foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who, as the Great High Priest, entered the heavenly Holy of Holies once for all, offering His own blood for the eternal redemption of humanity (Hebrews 9:11-12).

Theological Implications

The requirement of blood for atonement in the Holy of Holies highlights the seriousness of sin and the holiness of God. It underscores the biblical principle that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" (Hebrews 9:22). This sacrificial system pointed forward to the perfect and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood provides a complete and sufficient atonement for sin.

In the New Covenant, the veil of the Temple was torn at the moment of Christ's death (Matthew 27:51), symbolizing the removal of the barrier between God and humanity. Believers now have direct access to God through the blood of Christ, who has entered the true Holy of Holies in heaven on their behalf.

The Holy of Holies and the role of the High Priest in entering it with the blood of atonement serve as profound reminders of the cost of sin, the necessity of atonement, and the grace of God in providing a way for reconciliation through Jesus Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 16:14,15
And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 9:7
But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

In the Holy of Holies.
... holy place, until he come out."(712) So when Christ entered the holy of holies to
perform ... When in the typical service the high priest left the holy on the ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /24 in the holy of.htm

In the Holy of Holies
... So when Christ entered the holy of holies to perform the closing work of the atonement ...
When in the typical service the high priest left the holy on the Day ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 24 in the holy.htm

The Rent Veil
... was the vestibule of the Holy of Holies, was for ... he come not at all times into the
holy Place within ... You might suppose that the high priest of old brought the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/the rent veil.htm

Scriptural Types.
... In respect to the holy of holies, we have the express statement of inspiration:
"But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

The Ark of his Covenant
... in the Jewish temple; that was but the symbol of the true holy of holies. ... Nor yet
that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 41 1895/the ark of his covenant.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... within the inner veil, upon the holy of holies. ... the congregation, went into the most
holy place with ... ascension, our Saviour began His work as our high priest. ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /23 what is the sanctuary.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... within the inner veil, upon the holy of holies. ... the congregation, went into the most
holy place with ... ascension our Saviour began His work as our high priest. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 23 what is the.htm

Christ's Priestly Office
... Christ our high priest exactly answered to this type. ... and he is gone up into heaven,
which answers to the priest's going into the holy of holies; and he ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/4 christs priestly office.htm

The New Covenant.
... the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holy of holies; having a ...
accomplishing the services; but into the second the high-priest alone, once in ...
/.../chapter viii the new covenant.htm

The Blood of Sprinkling
... When the high priest went into the most holy place once a ... is that which is hidden
away in the holy of holies? ... of the blood, as mentioned by the Holy Ghost in ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the blood of sprinkling.htm