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

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The term "Holy of Holies," also referred to as the "Holy Sanctuary," denotes 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 the Israelites.

Biblical Description and Significance

The Holy of Holies was located at the westernmost end of the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, separated from the Holy Place by a veil or curtain. This veil symbolized the separation between God and humanity due to sin. The dimensions and specifications for the Holy of Holies were given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, as recorded in the book of Exodus. "You are to hang the veil under the clasps and bring the ark of the Testimony there behind the veil. The veil will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place" (Exodus 26:33).

Within the Holy of Holies rested the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred chest that contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod that budded, and a pot of manna. The Ark was covered by the Mercy Seat, which was flanked by two cherubim. It was here that the high priest would sprinkle the blood of the sacrificial lamb on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) to atone for the sins of the people. This act is described in Leviticus: "He shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and take its blood behind the veil. He is to do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bull: He is to sprinkle it against the Mercy Seat and in front of it" (Leviticus 16:15).

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. This exclusivity underscored the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin. The high priest had to undergo rigorous purification rituals before entering, as any impurity could result in death. The book of Hebrews 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).

Symbolism and Fulfillment

The Holy of Holies served as a powerful symbol of God's holiness and the separation between God and humanity. However, it also pointed forward to the coming of Christ, who would bridge this divide. At the moment of Jesus' death, the veil of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom, signifying the removal of the barrier between God and humanity through His atoning sacrifice. "And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He yielded up His spirit. At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom" (Matthew 27:50-51).

In Christian theology, the tearing of the veil represents the new access to God made possible through Jesus Christ, who serves as the ultimate High Priest. The book of Hebrews elaborates on this, stating, "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" (Hebrews 10:19-20).

The Holy of Holies, as the Holy Sanctuary, remains a profound testament to the holiness of God, the gravity of sin, and the redemptive work of Christ, who provides believers with direct access to the presence of God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 16:33
And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

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

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

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

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

Phenomena Accompanying the Death of Christ: the Earthquake the ...
... 51, it is most natural to understand the curtain before the "Holy of Holies," for
this was distinctively so called; the veil before the Sanctuary was called ka ...
/.../section 293 phenomena accompanying the.htm

A Little Sanctuary
... "Holiness becometh thy house." This applied to the whole temple, but the inner
shrine was called "sanctum sanctorum""the Holy of Holies, for so ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/a little sanctuary.htm

The Birth of Mary the Holy Mother of God, and Very Glorious Mother ...
... And Joseph stood up from the sackcloth, and called Mary, and said to her: O ... brought
low thy soul, thou that wast brought up in the holy of holies, and that ...
/.../unknown/the protevangelium of james/the birth of mary the.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

Cannot be Proved from Scripture, that Believers under the Old ...
... that in which the priests daily appeared, and which was called "The Holy of Holies,"
in contradistinction to that which is called "The Sanctuary," (Hebrews 9:2 ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/article x it cannot be.htm