A place or structure set aside for the worship of God. In Scripture the word generally refers to the tabernacle or the Jerusalem temple. By extension the word signifies a location or spiritual state providing refuge from hostile forces, human, spiritual or natural.
The tabernacle
Exodus 25:8–9 See also Exodus 36:1; Hebrews 8:2, Hebrews 8:5
And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them. You must make the tabernacle and design all its furnishings according to the pattern I show you.
Worship in the tabernacle was divinely ordained in great detail
Exodus 30:7–10; Leviticus 7:37–38, Leviticus 23:44; Exodus 39:1; Numbers 3:30–31; Hebrews 9:1
The people gave generously for the tabernacle
so that all the skilled craftsmen who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left their work and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD has commanded us to do.”
Approach to God's sanctuary was strictly regulated
Leviticus 12:4 See also Leviticus 21:21–23; Numbers 3:10, Numbers 3:38, Numbers 8:19, Numbers 18:5, Numbers 19:20; 2 Chronicles 26:18
The woman shall continue in purification from her bleeding for thirty-three days. She must not touch anything sacred or go into the sanctuary until the days of her purification are complete.
A reverent attitude was commanded
Leviticus 19:30 parallel Leviticus 26:2
You must keep My Sabbaths and have reverence for My sanctuary. I am the LORD.
The Jerusalem temple
David made extensive preparations for Solomon to build the temple
1 Chronicles 22:17–19 See also 1 Chronicles 28:2–3, 1 Chronicles 28:6
Then David ordered all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon: “Is not the LORD your God with you, and has He not granted you rest on every side? For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land has been subdued before the LORD and His people. Now set your heart and soul to seek the LORD your God. Begin building the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy articles of God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the LORD.”
The inner sanctuary of the temple corresponded to the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle
1 Kings 6:19 See also 1 Kings 8:6 parallel 2 Chronicles 5:7; 1 Chronicles 6:49; Hebrews 9:1–4
Solomon also prepared the inner sanctuary within the temple to set the ark of the covenant of the LORD there.
Some places were considered sacred because of God's presence and activity
Exodus 15:17 See also Genesis 28:16–17; Exodus 3:1–5; Psalm 15:1, Psalm 63:2, Psalm 73:16–17; Jeremiah 17:12
You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of Your inheritance — the place, O LORD, You have prepared for Your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, Your hands have established.
Conduct that displeases God will lead to a nation's sanctuaries being destroyed
Disobedience to God
Leviticus 26:31 See also 2 Chronicles 30:8; Ezekiel 7:24; Lamentations 2:7; Amos 7:9; Malachi 2:11
I will reduce your cities to rubble and lay waste your sanctuaries, and I will refuse to smell the pleasing aroma of your sacrifices.
Dishonesty in dealings
By the multitude of your iniquities and the dishonesty of your trading you have profaned your sanctuaries. So I made fire come from within you, and it consumed you. I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the eyes of all who saw you.
Idolatry
See also Leviticus 20:3; Ezekiel 8:6, Ezekiel 23:38–39
Profaning the sanctuary
Sanctuary from vengeance: the cities of refuge
Joshua 20:2–3 See also Numbers 35:6, Numbers 35:9–12
“Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
God himself is his people's sanctuary
Psalm 31:20 See also Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 17:7–9, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 32:7, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 64:1–2, Psalm 91:4; Isaiah 25:4; Ezekiel 11:16; Romans 8:38–39; Philippians 4:7; Hebrews 6:19
You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the schemes of men. You conceal them in Your shelter from accusing tongues.
Non-material ``sanctuaries'' of God
Heaven, where God is perfectly worshipped
Psalm 102:19 See also Hebrews 9:24
For He looked down from the heights of His sanctuary; the LORD gazed out from heaven to earth
God's worshipping people, in whom God dwells
Psalm 114:2 See also 1 Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 2:21; 1 Peter 2:5
Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel His dominion.
Jesus Christ himself as the ``place'' where God dwelt on earth
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.