Topical Bible: Holy of Holies was Called The: Holy Place

Bible > Topical > Holy of Holies was Called The

◄ Holy of Holies was Called The: Holy Place ►

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

Topical Encyclopedia

The Holy of Holies, also referred to as the "Most Holy Place," is a term used to describe the innermost and most sacred area of the ancient Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem. It is distinct from the "Holy Place," which is the outer chamber of the sanctuary. The Holy of Holies was the earthly dwelling place of God's presence and was considered the most sacred site in Israelite worship.

Biblical Description and Significance

The Holy of Holies is first described in the construction of the Tabernacle during the Israelites' wilderness journey. According to Exodus 26:33-34 , "Hang the veil from the clasps and place the ark of the Testimony behind the veil. The veil will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Put the mercy seat on the ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy Place."

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 jar of manna (Hebrews 9:4). The Ark was covered by the mercy seat, where the presence of God was believed to dwell between the cherubim.

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). Leviticus 16:2 states, "The LORD said to Moses: 'Tell your brother Aaron that he shall not enter at any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, or he will die; for I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat.'"

On this solemn day, the High Priest would perform rituals of atonement for the sins of the people, sprinkling the blood of a sacrificial animal on the mercy seat to seek God's forgiveness and purification for the nation of Israel.

Symbolism and Theology

The Holy of Holies symbolized the unapproachable holiness of God and the separation between God and humanity due to sin. The veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place represented this division. However, the New Testament presents a transformative understanding of this separation. At the moment of Jesus' crucifixion, the veil of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51), signifying the removal of the barrier between God and humanity through the atoning sacrifice of Christ.

The Epistle to the Hebrews elaborates on this theme, explaining that Jesus, as the great High Priest, entered the true Holy of Holies in heaven, offering His own blood for eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11-12). This act opened the way for believers to approach God with confidence, as stated in Hebrews 10:19-20 : "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body."

Historical Context

The Holy of Holies was a central feature of both Solomon's Temple and the Second Temple. In Solomon's Temple, the Holy of Holies was a perfect cube, measuring 20 cubits by 20 cubits by 20 cubits (1 Kings 6:20). The Second Temple, rebuilt after the Babylonian exile, also contained a Holy of Holies, though the Ark of the Covenant was no longer present.

The destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD by the Romans marked the end of the physical Holy of Holies as a place of worship. However, its spiritual significance continues in Christian theology as a symbol of God's presence and the access believers have through Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 28:29
And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment on his heart, when he goes in to the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 16:2,3
And the LORD said to Moses, Speak to Aaron your brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the veil before the mercy seat, which is on the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud on the mercy seat.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Concerning "Holy of Holies," "King of Kings," "Lord of Lords ...
... forth into a smiling aspect of ordered Consistency [488] and Rightness, bringing
into their proper place all things ... He is called "Holy of Holies," etc., by ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/chapter xii concerning holy of.htm

Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ...
... tabernacle was divided into two parts: one was called the "Holy of Holies," and
was placed to the west; the other was called the "Holy Place" [*Or 'Sanctuary'. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sufficient reason can be.htm

In the Holy of Holies.
... which is the capital and representative of the kingdom, is called "the bride ... until
he come out."(712) So when Christ entered the holy of holies to perform ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /24 in the holy of.htm

In the Holy of Holies
... City, the New Jerusalem, which is the capital and representative of the kingdom,
is called "the bride ... So when Christ entered the holy of holies to perform ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 24 in the holy.htm

How Pompey had the City of Jerusalem Delivered up to Him but Took ...
... How He Went Into The Holy Of Holies; As Also ... they were then under, as that their
holy place, which had ... Dora, and that which was anciently called Strato's Tower ...
/.../chapter 7 how pompey had.htm

Eighth Day. Holiness and Indwelling.
... much is this the case, that the place where God dwells came to be called the holy ...
till we come within the veil, to the most holy place, the holy of holies. ...
/.../murray/holy in christ/eighth day holiness and indwelling.htm

Cannot be Proved from Scripture, that Believers under the Old ...
... vail, was separated and divided from that in which the priests daily appeared, and
which was called "The Holy of Holies," in contradistinction to that ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/article x it cannot be.htm

Concerning the Tabernacle which Moses Built in the Wilderness for ...
... the whole temple was called The Holy Place: but that part which was within the four
pillars, and to which none were admitted, was called The Holy of Holies. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 concerning the tabernacle.htm

On the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
... in the creature, however holy and divine it may appear to be, or is called, or as ...
the son, that is with thy mind, into the secret place, the Holy of Holies. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xxi on the exaltation.htm

Hebrews ix. 5-Jan
... all to tread it, and in the same house the place was manifest ... there was a veil without
also) "the tabernacle, which is called holy of holies." Observe how ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xv hebrews ix 5-jan.htm