The Holy of Holies (or Most Holy Place) was the innermost and most sacred room of the tabernacle and later the temple.
It was separated from the Holy Place by a thick veil and contained the ark of the covenant with the mercy seat.
Only the high priest could enter, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement, with the blood of a sacrifice.
In the New Testament the veil is torn at the death of Christ, signifying that free access to God’s presence is now open through Him.
The Holy of Holies represented the earthly dwelling place of God’s presence among His people. Everything about its design, location, and restricted access proclaimed both the holiness of God and the separation caused by sin. The ark of the covenant, covered by the mercy seat where atoning blood was sprinkled, stood at the center of Israel’s worship and hope. When Jesus died, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, declaring that the barrier between God and humanity had been removed by His sacrifice. The book of Hebrews teaches that Christ has entered the true Holy of Holies in heaven as the great High Priest, securing eternal redemption and opening a new and living way for believers to draw near to God with confidence.
- The Holy of Holies was the most sacred space in Israel’s worship, symbolizing God’s throne room on earth.
- Access was severely restricted: only the high priest, only once a year, and only with blood.
- The veil protected the people from the consuming holiness of God while also keeping them at a distance.
- The ark and mercy seat pointed to God’s covenant presence and the need for atonement.
- At Jesus’ death the temple veil was torn from top to bottom, a divine act signifying opened access.
- Christ has entered the greater and more perfect tabernacle in heaven, not by the blood of animals but by His own blood.
- Through Him believers now have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by a new and living way.
- Location and Design – The innermost room of the tabernacle/temple, a perfect cube in the temple, separated by a heavy veil.
- Contents – The ark of the covenant, the mercy seat, and (at various times) the tablets of the Law, the jar of manna, and Aaron’s rod.
- Restricted Access – Only the high priest on the Day of Atonement, with incense and sacrificial blood.
- Symbol of God’s Presence – The place where the glory of God dwelt among His people.
- The Torn Veil – At the death of Christ the barrier was removed, opening the way to God.
- Heavenly Reality – The earthly Holy of Holies was a copy of the true presence of God in heaven, where Christ now ministers.
- Access for Believers – Through the blood of Jesus, every believer may draw near with confidence.
- Exodus 26:33-34 – “And the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy. You shall put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in the Most Holy Place.”
- Leviticus 16:2, 15, 17 – The Lord tells Moses that Aaron may not enter the Holy Place inside the veil at any time, lest he die… On the Day of Atonement he brings the blood inside the veil and makes atonement.
- 1 Kings 6:19-20 – Solomon prepared the inner sanctuary within the temple to set the ark of the covenant; it was a perfect cube overlaid with pure gold.
- Hebrews 9:3-5, 7 – “Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant… into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood…”
- Hebrews 9:11-12 – “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come… he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.”
- Hebrews 10:19-22 – “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh… let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith…”
- Matthew 27:50-51 – “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.”
- Mark 15:37-38 – Parallel account of the tearing of the veil at Jesus’ death.
- Luke 23:45 – “The curtain of the temple was torn in two.”
- Exodus 25:21-22 – The mercy seat is placed above the ark; there the Lord would meet with Moses and speak with him.
- Leviticus 16:29-34 – The lasting statute of the Day of Atonement for making atonement for the people once a year.
- 1 Kings 8:6-11 – The ark is brought into the Most Holy Place under the wings of the cherubim, and the glory of the Lord fills the temple.
The Holy of Holies stood as a constant reminder that God is holy and that sin separates. Only one man, once a year, with blood, could enter — and even then only under strict conditions. When Jesus died, the veil was torn from top to bottom by the hand of God Himself. The barrier is gone. Christ has entered the true Holy of Holies in heaven with His own blood, securing eternal redemption. Now every believer may draw near with confidence by the new and living way He has opened. What was once closed and fearful is now open and inviting. The Most Holy Place is no longer restricted to a single priest on a single day; it is the privilege of all who come to God through the blood of Jesus.
Entry compiled for the JESUSaves.com Bible Glossary. Optimized for wiki.js Visual Editor.