Holy of Holies
Temple's sacred core
The Holy of Holies was the innermost sanctuary of the ancient Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept.
Only the high priest could enter, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement.
The phrase now refers to any sacred or private inner sanctum: The editor's office was the holy of holies—no one entered uninvited.
Large rescue vessel
- covenantBinding formal pledge
- tabernaclePortable sacred dwelling
- templeSacred worship structure
- high priestChief temple officiant
divine presence · priesthood · incense · altar · veil · mercy seat · cherubim · atonement
Declared sacred through ritual
- sacrosanctRegarded as too important to alter
- veneratedRegarded with profound respect
- inviolableImpossible to breach
- sanctifiedMade sacred through blessing
set apart · revered · untouchable · pure · undefiled · devoted · dedicated · blessed
Protected private place
- inner sanctumInnermost private place
- heartCirculatory system's pump
- coreCentral essential portion
- centerMiddle of anything
nucleus · essence · sacred space · restricted area · inner chamber · secret place · hidden · forbidden
ark
Large rescue vessel
- covenantBinding formal pledge
- tabernaclePortable sacred dwelling
- templeSacred worship structure
high priest · divine presence · priesthood · incense · altar · veil · mercy seat · cherubim · atonement · dwelling
consecrated
Declared sacred through ritual
- sacrosanctRegarded as too important to alter
- veneratedRegarded with profound respect
- inviolableImpossible to breach
sanctified · set apart · revered · untouchable · pure · undefiled · devoted · dedicated · blessed · forbidden
sanctum
Protected private place
- inner sanctumInnermost private place
- heartCirculatory system's pump
- coreCentral essential portion
center · nucleus · essence · sacred space · restricted area · inner chamber · secret place · hidden · forbidden · exclusive
- Bible Buildingstabernacle, Solomon's Temple, house of God, Noah's Ark, Tower of Babel
- Biblical JerusalemTemple Mount, City of David, Mount Zion, First Temple, Second Temple
- Israelite Worshiptabernacle, Ark of the Covenant, high priest, burnt offering, sin offering
- Jewish SitesWestern Wall, Temple Mount, Masada, Jewish Quarter, City of David
- Mosaic lawMoses, Mosaic law, Ten Commandments, tablets of stone, commandment
- SolomonDavid, Bathsheba, First Temple, Queen of Sheba, divine wisdom
Holy of Holiespublic space
Area open to everyone
public square · open forum · common area · commons · marketplace
Holy of Holiesabyss
Immeasurably profound depth
Gehenna · Sheol · den of iniquity · Sodom · cursed ground