In the biblical context, sanctuaries are sacred places set apart for worship, communion with God, and the performance of religious rites. The concept of a sanctuary is deeply rooted in the narrative of the Bible, serving as a physical manifestation of God's presence among His people.

Old Testament Sanctuaries

The first sanctuary mentioned in the Bible is the Garden of Eden, where God walked with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:8). However, the formal establishment of a sanctuary for worship begins with the Tabernacle, a portable tent of meeting constructed by the Israelites during their wilderness journey. God provided Moses with detailed instructions for building the Tabernacle, emphasizing its sanctity: "Then have them make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them" (Exodus 25:8).

The Tabernacle served as the central place of worship and sacrifice, housing the Ark of the Covenant, which symbolized God's covenant with Israel. The structure was divided into the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place, where only the high priest could enter once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:2-34).

With the establishment of the monarchy, King Solomon built the First Temple in Jerusalem, a permanent sanctuary to replace the Tabernacle. The Temple became the focal point of Jewish worship and the dwelling place of God's name: "I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting My Name there forever; My eyes and My heart will be there for all time" (1 Kings 9:3).

New Testament Sanctuaries

In the New Testament, the concept of the sanctuary evolves with the coming of Jesus Christ. The physical Temple in Jerusalem remains significant, as seen in Jesus' actions and teachings there (Matthew 21:12-13). However, Jesus Himself is presented as the ultimate sanctuary, the embodiment of God's presence: "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us" (John 1:14).

The New Testament also introduces the idea of the believer's body as a temple of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing personal sanctity and the indwelling presence of God: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God?" (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Eschatological Sanctuaries

The Book of Revelation envisions a future sanctuary in the New Jerusalem, where God's presence will be fully realized among His people: "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God'" (Revelation 21:3). In this ultimate sanctuary, there is no need for a physical temple, for "the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple" (Revelation 21:22).

Theological Significance

Sanctuaries in the Bible symbolize God's desire to dwell with His people and the holiness required to approach Him. They serve as reminders of God's covenant, His presence, and the call to worship in spirit and truth. Throughout Scripture, sanctuaries underscore the relationship between God and humanity, pointing to the ultimate reconciliation through Jesus Christ.(n.) Plural of Sanctuary.4720. miqdash -- a sacred place, sanctuary
... qodesh Definition a sacred place, sanctuary NASB Word Usage holy (1), holy place
(2), holy places (1), places (1), sacred part (1), sanctuaries (5), sanctuary ...
/hebrew/4720.htm - 6k

The Prophetic and Priestly Documents
... it may be inferred that J originated in Judah; while the special attention paid
in E to the sanctuaries of the northern kingdom, such as Shechem and Bethel, is ...
/.../introduction to the old testament/the prophetic and priestly documents.htm

The African Rome
... Hard by these sanctuaries, the Proconsul's palace dominated Carthage from the height
of the acclivity of the Acropolis. ... The pagan sanctuaries were numerous. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/ii the african rome.htm

Deuteronomy
... (a) As the true worship is jeopardized by a multiplicity of sanctuaries, these
sanctuaries are declared illegal, and their paraphernalia are to be destroyed ...
/.../mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/deuteronomy.htm

The Cities of Refuge
... These careful definitions freed the cities from becoming nests of desperate criminals,
as the 'sanctuaries' of the Middle Ages in Europe became. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the cities of refuge.htm

Jeremiah and Deuteronomy. (Chs. vii, viii. 8, xi. )
... A natural occasion for the migration of his family and himself would be upon Josiah's
disestablishment of the rural sanctuaries and provision for their priests ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/3 jeremiah and deuteronomy chs.htm

The Old Testament and Comparative Religion
... original. The twin pillars, which Solomon erected in the porch of the temple,
have their counterparts in Babylonian sanctuaries. ...
/.../eiselen/the christian view of the old testament/chapter v the old testament.htm

On Attractiveness.
... poetry and art. The Sabbaths of such men were days to be feared; their
sanctuaries places without a gleam of sunshine. What wonder ...
/.../jackson/the message and the man/chapter i on attractiveness.htm

The Note of Edification.
... Finally, we are told that in all probability if Jesus Christ came to earth in the
flesh, He would in these times be found outside the sanctuaries in which His ...
/.../jackson/the message and the man/chapter iv the note of.htm

The Growth of the Old Testament Prophetic Histories
... body of oral traditions which had long been handed down from father to son or else
treasured by the story-tellers and by the priests of the ancient sanctuaries ...
/.../the origin and permanent value of the old testament/vi the growth of the.htm

The Rock of Castello.
... When the poor peasants were persecuted by their foes, their cottages and hamlets
plundered, their loved sanctuaries burnt with fire, and "all their pleasant ...
/.../macduff/the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/the rock of castello.htm

Sanctuaries (14 Occurrences)
...Sanctuaries (14 Occurrences). Acts 7:48 But the Most High in sanctuaries made with
hands doth not dwell, according as the prophet saith: (YLT). ...
/s/sanctuaries.htm - 10k

Persians (6 Occurrences)
... and remove them to Babylon, thereby increasing the sacredness and magnificence of
that city but inflicting injury on neighboring and more ancient sanctuaries. ...
/p/persians.htm - 20k

Olives (30 Occurrences)
... Jordan valley and Dead Sea to the lands of Ammon and Moab-should have been neglected
in the days when Semitic religion crowned such spots with their sanctuaries...
/o/olives.htm - 37k

Sanctuary (250 Occurrences)
... Three Stages 3. Difficulties of the Theory (1) Slaughter Not Necessarily Sacrificial
(2) Sacrifice and Theophany (3) Alleged Plurality of Sanctuaries (4) The ...
/s/sanctuary.htm - 63k

Harlot (87 Occurrences)
... These and cognate words are applied especially in the Old Testament to those devoted
to immoral service in idol sanctuaries, or given over to a dissolute life ...
/h/harlot.htm - 46k

Images (158 Occurrences)
... In close connection with the Astarte sanctuaries in Palestine were found numberless
bodies of little children, none over a week old, undoubtedly representing ...
/i/images.htm - 70k

Malchiel (3 Occurrences)
... Jordan valley and Dead Sea to the lands of Ammon and Moab-should have been neglected
in the days when Semitic religion crowned such spots with their sanctuaries...
/m/malchiel.htm - 74k

Jeroboam (96 Occurrences)
... He therefore resolved to establish national sanctuaries in Israel. Accordingly,
he fixed on Bethel, which from time immemorial was ...
/j/jeroboam.htm - 62k

Universe (19 Occurrences)
... Acts 17:24 GOD who made the universe and everything in it--He, being Lord of Heaven
and earth, does not dwell in sanctuaries built by men. (WEY). ...
/u/universe.htm - 12k

Odors (8 Occurrences)
... (WEY WBS). Leviticus 26:31 And I will make your cities waste, and bring your
sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savor of your sweet odors. ...
/o/odors.htm - 9k

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