es-419_bc/articles/holyofholies.md

Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies)

The tabernacle and the temple each had two rooms. One room was called “the holy place.” The other room was called “the most holy place.” The “holy place” was the first room (see: Exodus 25:28-40; 30:1-10; 35:13-15; 1 Kings 7:48-51). The “most holy place” was the second room. A curtain separated the two rooms (see: Exodus 26:33; 2 Chronicles 3:14).

The second or inner room was called the “most holy place” or the “holy of holies” because the presence of God was there. This room also contained the ark of the covenant. Only the high priest was allowed to go into the most holy place. The high priest could go only once a year into the most holy place. This happened on the Day of Atonement (see: Leviticus 16).

See: Holy (Holiness, Set Apart); Tabernacle; Temple; Holy Place; Presence of God; Ark of the Covenant; High Priest; Atone (Atonement)