Topical Bible: Holy of Holies was Called The: Holiest of All

Bible > Topical > Holy of Holies was Called The

◄ Holy of Holies was Called The: Holiest of All ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The Holy of Holies, also referred to as the "Holiest of All," is the innermost and most sacred area of the ancient Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem. This sacred space was the dwelling place of the presence of God, known as the Shekinah glory, and was central to the worship and religious life of Israel.

Biblical Description and Significance

The Holy of Holies was located at the westernmost end of the Tabernacle, separated from the Holy Place by a veil. In the Temple built by Solomon, it retained this position and significance. The dimensions of the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle were a perfect cube, measuring ten cubits by ten cubits by ten cubits (Exodus 26:33-34). In Solomon's Temple, it was expanded to twenty cubits in each dimension (1 Kings 6:20).

The primary and sole piece of furniture within the Holy of Holies was the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod that budded, and a golden pot of manna (Hebrews 9:4). The Ark was covered by the Mercy Seat, where two cherubim faced each other with wings outstretched, symbolizing the throne of God (Exodus 25:17-22).

Access and Rituals

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 to make atonement for the sins of the people of Israel, sprinkling the blood of a sacrificial animal on the Mercy Seat (Leviticus 16:2-34). This act symbolized the reconciliation between God and His people, highlighting the gravity of sin and the necessity of atonement.

Symbolism and Typology

The Holy of Holies represents the ultimate separation between a holy God and sinful humanity. The veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place symbolized this division. However, the tearing of the veil at the moment of Christ's death (Matthew 27:51) signifies the removal of this barrier, granting believers direct access to God through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. The Epistle to the Hebrews elaborates on this, stating, "We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus" (Hebrews 10:19).

Theological Implications

The Holy of Holies underscores the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin. It serves as a constant reminder of the need for a mediator between God and man, a role fulfilled by Jesus Christ, the Great High Priest. The transition from the physical Holy of Holies to the spiritual access believers have through Christ marks a significant shift in the relationship between God and humanity, emphasizing the new covenant established through Jesus' sacrifice.

In summary, the Holy of Holies, or the Holiest of All, is a profound symbol of God's holiness, the separation caused by sin, and the ultimate reconciliation made possible through Jesus Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 9:3
And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Hebrews ix. 5-Jan
... And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all ... How?
This, he says, [was] the "Holy" [3030] and the "Holy of Holies." [3031] The ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xv hebrews ix 5-jan.htm

The Ark of his Covenant
... above; we speak of the spiritual Holy of Holies. ... and brimstone in the presence of
the holy angels, and ... second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 41 1895/the ark of his covenant.htm

Eighth Day. Holiness and Indwelling.
... place where God dwells came to be called the holy ... veil, to the most holy place, the
holy of holies. ... Then the holy place was still holier, because still nearer ...
/.../murray/holy in christ/eighth day holiness and indwelling.htm

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
... The 'holy of holies' was a ... was a small chest of acacia wood, overlaid with gold,
and containing the two tables of the law, which were called the testimony ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the copies of things in.htm

Phenomena Accompanying the Death of Christ: the Earthquake the ...
... this was distinctively so called; the veil before the Sanctuary was called ka'lumma ...
have witnessed the rending of the veil of "the Holy of Holies," it was ...
/.../section 293 phenomena accompanying the.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... of burnt-offering, the tabernacle itself consisted of two apartments called the
holy and ... 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

The Rent Veil
... top to bottom gives ample space for all to enter who are called of God's ... for even
the holy place, which was the vestibule of the Holy of Holies, was for the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/the rent veil.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... of burnt offering, the tabernacle itself consisted of two apartments called the
holy ... 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

Cannot be Proved from Scripture, that Believers under the Old ...
... The Holy of Holies," in contradistinction to that which is called "The Sanctuary ...
9:2, 3.) Heaven itself is designated by "The Holy of Holies" in Hebrews 9:24 ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/article x it cannot be.htm

The New Covenant.
... tabernacle which is called the Holy of holies; having a ... entered in once for all into
the holy place, having ... the sanctuary, and an inner one, called the holiest ...
/.../chapter viii the new covenant.htm