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, 1 Kings 6:19–20 parallel 2 Chronicles 3:8; 1 Kings 6:23–28 parallel 2 Chronicles 3:10; 1 Kings 6:31–32; 2 Chronicles 3:14

In the temple in Ezekiel's vision

Ezekiel 41:4, Ezekiel 41:15–21, Ezekiel 41:23, 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, 1 Kings 8:6–9 parallel 2 Chronicles 5:7–9

And hang the veil from the clasps and place the ark of the Testimony behind the veil. So the veil will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.

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

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

So he overlaid with gold the whole interior of the temple, until everything was completely finished. He also overlaid with gold the entire altar that belonged to the inner sanctuary.

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.

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

Hear my cry for mercy when I call to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.

The Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement

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

But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.

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, Hebrews 9:24

By this arrangement the Holy Spirit was showing that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing.

Entry to the Most Holy Place is open to all believers

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

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.