Dictionaries :: Holy of Holies

Holy of Holies:

the second or interior portion of the tabernacle. It was left in total darkness. No one was permitted to enter it except the high priest, and that only once a year. It contained the ark of the covenant only (Exd 25:10-16). It was in the form of a perfect cube of 20 cubits. (See TABERNACLE.)

Holy of Holies:

ho'-liz (qodhesh ha-qodhashim, Ex 26:33, debhir, 1Ki 6:16, etc.; in the New Testament, hagia hagion, Heb 9:3): The name given to the innermost shrine, or adytum of the sanctuary of Yahweh.

1. In the Tabernacle:

The most holy place of the tabernacle in the wilderness (Ex 26:31-33) was a small cube of 10 cubits (15 ft.) every way. It was divided from the holy Ceiled by curtains which bore cherubic figures embroidered in blue and purple and scarlet (Ex 26:1), it contained no furniture but the Ark of the Covenant, covered by a slab of gold called the MERCY-SEAT (which see), and having within it only the two stone tables of the Law (see TABERNACLE; ARK OF THE COVENANT). Only the high priest, and he but once a year, on the great @@clothed in penitential garments, amid a cloud of incense, and with blood of sacrifice (Le 16; compare Heb 9:7).

2. In the Temple of Solomon:

The proportions of the most holy place in the first temple were the same as in the tabernacle, but the dimensions were doubled. The sacred chamber was enlarged to 20 cubits (30 ft.) each way. We now meet with the word debhir, "oracle" (1Ki 6:16, etc.), which with the exception of Ps 28:2, belonging perhaps to the same age, is met with in Scripture only in the period of Solomon's reign. This sanctum, like its predecessor, contained but one piece of furniture-the Ark of the Covenant. It had, however, one new conspicuous feature in the two large figures of cherubim of olive wood, covered with gold, with wings stretching from wall to wall, beneath which the ark was now placed (1Ki 6:23-28; 2Ch 3:10-13; see TEMPLE).

3. In Later Times:

In Ezekiel's temple plans, which in many things may have been those of the temple of Zerubbabel, the prophet gives 20 cubits as the length and breadth of the most holy place, showing that these figures were regarded as too sacred to undergo change (Eze 41:4). There was then no Ark of the Covenant, but Jewish tradition relates that the blood of the great Day of Atonement was sprinkled on an unhewn stone that stood in its place. In Herod's temple, the dimensions of the two holy chambers remained the same-at least in length and breadth (see TEMPLE, HEROD'S). The holiest place continued empty. In the spoils of the temple depicted on the Arch of Titus there is no representation of the Ark of the Covenant; only of the furniture of the outer chamber or holy place.

4. Figurative:

In the Epistle to the Hebrews we are taught that the true holy of holies is the heaven into which Jesus has now entered to appear in virtue of His own sacrifice in the presence of God for us (Heb 9:11 ). Restriction is now removed, and the way into the holiest is made open for all His people (Heb 10:19,20).

Written by W. Shaw Caldecott

Holy of Holies: Divided from the Outward Tabernacle by a Vail

Exd 26:31-33

Holy of Holies: Was Called The

Sanctuary

Lev 4:6; Psa 20:2

Holy sanctuary

Lev 16:33

Holy place

Exd 28:29; Lev 16:2,3

Most holy place

Exd 26:31-33

Holiest of all

Hbr 9:3

Oracle

1Ki 6:5,16,20

Holy of Holies: Contained

Ark of testimony

Exd 26:33; 40:3,21

Mercy-seat

Exd 26:34

Cherubim

Exd 25:18-22; 1Ki 6:23-28

Golden censer

Hbr 9:4

Pot of manna

Exd 16:33; Hbr 9:4

Aaron's rod

Num 17:10; Hbr 9:4

A written copy of the divine law

Deu 31:26; 2Ki 22:8

Holy of Holies: God Appeared In

Exd 25:22; Lev 16:2

Holy of Holies: The High Priest

Not to enter, at all times

Lev 16:2

Alone to enter, once a year

Hbr 9:7

Entered, in ordinary priest's dress

Lev 16:4

Entered, not without blood of atonement

Lev 16:14,15; Hbr 9:7

Offered incense in

Lev 16:12

Made atonement for

Lev 16:15,16,20,33

Holy of Holies: The priests allowed to enter, and prepare the holy things for

Num 4:5

Holy of Holies: Laid Open to View at Christ's Death

Mat 27:51

Holy of Holies: A Type of Heaven

Psa 102:19; Hbr 9:12,13,24

Holy of Holies: Saints Have Boldness to Enter the True

Hbr 10:19