Dictionary of Bible Themes: 7396 Most Holy Place

7396 Most Holy Place

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7300 Institutions and culture of OT » 7396 Most Holy Place

The inner sanctuary of the tabernacle set up at Sinai and of Solomon's temple, where the ark of the covenant was kept. It is a symbol of the unapproachable presence of God.

Terms used to describe the Most Holy Place

Exodus 26:33 “the Most Holy Place” (or “Holy of Holies”), in contrast to the “Holy Place” where the altar stood. This superlative suggests increasing closeness to the presence of God. The distinction is not always observed, however. In Leviticus chapter 16 “Holy Place” is used regularly (translated in NIV as “Most Holy Place” in verses 2, 16, 17, 20, 27, and as “sanctuary area” in verse 3, though it is the inner sanctuary that is referred to, as the phrase “behind the curtain” (verse 2) shows); 1 Kings 6:16 the “inner sanctuary” in contrast to the outer; Hebrews 9:7 literally “the second (tabernacle)” in contrast to the first or outer

The structure and design of the Most Holy Place

In the wilderness tabernacle

The only details concern the curtains forming the walls of the two sanctuaries, and in particular the dividing curtain which separates the Most Holy Place from the outer sanctuary:

Exodus 26:31-33; Exodus 36:35-36; Exodus 40:21

In Solomon's temple

1 Kings 6:16,19-20 pp 2 Chronicles 3:8; 1 Kings 6:23-28 pp 2 Chronicles 3:10; 1 Kings 6:31-32; 2 Chronicles 3:14

In the temple in Ezekiel's vision

Ezekiel 41:4,15-21,23; Ezekiel 45:3 In Ezekiel's vision a portion of the land was sacred to the LORD and called the Most Holy Place.

The significance and function of the Most Holy Place

To house the ark of the covenant

Exodus 26:33 See also Exodus 40:3; 1 Kings 6:19; Kings 8:6-9 pp 2 Chronicles 5:7-9

To house the incense altar (in Solomon's temple)

1 Kings 6:22; Hebrews 9:3-4 Ex 30:6 and 40:5 suggest that the incense altar was housed in front of the curtain, i.e., in the Holy Place, the outer sanctuary.

To be a symbol of the presence of God

Psalm 28:2 See also Exodus 26:33 The curtain veiling the Most Holy Place represents the unapproachable presence of the Holy God; Leviticus 16:2

The Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement

Hebrews 9:7 See also Leviticus 16:16-17

The NT understanding of the Most Holy Place as the place of God's heavenly presence

Jesus Christ enters the Most Holy Place as Mediator

Hebrews 9:8 See also Hebrews 6:19-20; Hebrews 9:11-12,24

Entry to the Most Holy Place is open to all believers

Hebrews 10:19-22 See also Matthew 27:51 pp Luke 23:45 By Jesus Christ's death the dividing curtain has been torn in two.