See Also: Holy of Holies(encyclopedia)
holy of holies(dictionary)
holy(dictionary)
holy(dictionary)
Holy See(dictionary)
holy war(encyclopedia)
holy war(dictionary)
Holy(medicine)
holy day(dictionary)
Trinity, Holy(encyclopedia)

Holy of Holies (sh)




Innermost and most sacred area of the ancient Temple of Jerusalem, accessible only to the Israelite high priest and only once a year, on Yom Kippur.

The Holy of Holies was located at the western end of the temple. At its entrance stood a small cedar altar overlaid with gold. In the First Temple (see Temple of Jerusalem) the Holy of Holies held the Ark of the Covenant.