The Holy of Holies, also known 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. 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 is first described in the Book of Exodus as part of the instructions given to Moses for the construction of the Tabernacle. It was a perfect cube, measuring ten cubits on each side in the Tabernacle (Exodus 26:33-34). 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 golden jar of manna (Hebrews 9:3-4).

The entrance to the Holy of Holies was separated from the Holy Place by a veil, a thick curtain that symbolized the separation between God and humanity due to sin. Only the high priest was permitted to enter the Holy of Holies, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), to offer blood sacrifices for his own sins and the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:2-34). This annual event underscored the holiness of God and the need for atonement.

The Temple in Jerusalem

When Solomon built the First Temple in Jerusalem, the Holy of Holies was constructed as a 20-cubit cube (1 Kings 6:20). The Ark of the Covenant was placed there, and the presence of God filled the Temple (1 Kings 8:10-11). The destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC led to the loss of the Ark, and the Second Temple, built under Zerubbabel and later expanded by Herod the Great, did not contain the Ark in its Holy of Holies.

Symbolism and Fulfillment in Christ

The Holy of Holies holds profound theological significance, symbolizing the holiness of God and the separation caused by sin. The veil of the Holy of Holies was torn from top to bottom at the moment of Jesus Christ's death on the cross (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45), signifying the removal of the barrier between God and humanity. This event is interpreted as the fulfillment of the Old Covenant and the establishment of the New Covenant, where believers have direct access to God through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:19-22).

Theological Implications

The Holy of Holies serves as a powerful reminder of God's holiness and the seriousness of sin. It also points to the ultimate redemption and reconciliation made possible through Jesus Christ. The tearing of the veil symbolizes the new and living way opened for believers to enter into the presence of God, emphasizing the priesthood of all believers and the intimate relationship they can now enjoy with the Creator.

References in Scripture

· 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."
· Leviticus 16:2: "The LORD said to Moses: 'Tell your brother Aaron that he is not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die. For I will appear in the cloud over the atonement cover.'"
· Hebrews 9:3-4: "Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant."
· Matthew 27:51: "At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split."

The Holy of Holies remains a central theme in biblical theology, representing both the awe-inspiring holiness of God and the profound access to His presence granted through Christ.