What was the 'Most Holy Place' or the 'Holy of Holies'?

TL;DR:

The Holy of Holies was the innermost place in the temple. It was separated from other portions of the temple by a thick curtain and housed the ark of the covenant, where God's presence symbolically dwelt. The high priest entered once a year, on the Day of Atonement. When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain—or veil—tore from top to bottom. Now all who trust in Him have direct access to God.

what does the bible say?

The Holy of Holies, located within Moses' tabernacle and later temples like Solomon's, was a sacred inner chamber housing the ark of the covenant (Exodus 26:33–34). The Holy of Holies was accessible only to the high priest once a year on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) for atonement rituals involving cleansing, special attire, incense, and sacrificial blood (Leviticus 16:2, 11–19). It symbolized the separation between sinful humanity and God's holiness, veiled by fine linen adorned with cherubim (Exodus 26:31–33). Throughout Israel's history, events like the loss of the ark and the destruction of the temple by Babylon highlighted its significance (2 Chronicles 36:19–21; Jeremiah 52:12–14). When Jesus died on the cross, the temple veil tore (Matthew 27:50–51). This signifies direct access to God through Christ (Hebrews 4:14–16; 10:19–23). He offers believers eternal life and communion with God, all because of God's grace and received through faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:1–10).

from the old testament

The Holy of Holies, or the Most Holy Place, refers to the innermost chamber of Moses' tabernacle and subsequent temples, starting with Solomon's temple (Exodus 26:33–34). It was a perfect cube and housed the ark of the covenant.
According to the law God gave Moses, only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and he could do so only once per year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) (Leviticus 16:2, 11–19). Before entering, the high priest washed, put on special clothing, and gathered incense and the blood from a sacrificed animal. Inside the Holy of Holies, the high priest burned incense and sprinkled the blood on the mercy seat of the ark, as part of the annual ceremony for the forgiveness of sins by the Israelites as a nation.
The Holy of Holies was separated from the rest of the tabernacle or temple by a large veil made of fine linen, blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, decorated with embroidered cherubim (Exodus 26:31–33). This veil protected the people from accessing the ark of the covenant and coming into the direct presence of God.
God allowed Babylon to conquer Jerusalem. Following the siege, the Babylonian army destroyed the temple, including the Holy of Holies, as the people were taken into captivity (2 Chronicles 36:19–21; Jeremiah 52:12–14).
When the people returned from exile, Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah led them in rebuilding Jerusalem, including the wall and the temple.

from the new testament

About five years after the temple was rebuilt, while Jesus hanged on the cross, the veil tore from top to bottom. Matthew 27:50–51 says, "And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split." By tearing the veil, God dramatically showed that people no longer needed a barrier to keep them from accessing God. Jesus leads us directly to God. Hebrews 10:19–20 (NIV) says, "we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body."
In AD 70, the Romans destroyed the Jewish temple. Since that time, Jews have not had a temple in which to worship and have transitioned to meeting in local synagogues. The Bible says the temple will be rebuilt sometime before the mid-point of the tribulation (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:4).

implications for today

The Holy of Holies in the tabernacle and temple represented God's dwelling place among His people, Israel, but it also symbolized the separation between sinful humanity and God's perfect holiness. The veil that shielded the Holy of Holies was a tangible reminder of this divide, illustrating that access to God's presence was limited and mediated through the high priest, who entered annually to make atonement for the sins of the nation. However, with the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross, everything changed. His death not only fulfilled the Old Testament sacrificial system but also tore the veil in the temple from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51), signifying that through His sacrifice, all barriers between God and humanity were removed (Hebrews 8:1—10:18). Now, all who have faith in Jesus Christ as God's Son and their Savior, have direct and unrestricted access to God's presence, grace, and forgiveness. Jesus is our High Priest by whom we have access to God (Hebrews 4:14–16; 10:19–23).

The torn veil of the Holy of Holies reminds us of the freedom we have from guilt and condemnation through Christ's sacrifice, allowing us to live in intimate communion with God and to share His love and salvation with others. We can approach God boldly in prayer and worship, knowing that we are welcomed into His presence as His beloved children (Hebrews 4:16). The tearing of the veil stands as a powerful symbol of God's invitation to reconciliation and relationship with Him, offering hope and assurance of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16).

understand

The Holy of Holies was the innermost sanctuary of Moses' tabernacle and later Israelite temples. It housed the ark of the covenant, symbolizing God's presence among His people.
According to God's law given to Moses, only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and only once a year on Yom Kippur where he would intercede for the sins of the people.
The Holy of Holies was separated from the rest of the tabernacle or temple by a veil made of fine linen, blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, adorned with embroidered cherubim. This veil symbolized the separation between sinful humanity and the holiness of God.

reflect

How does the concept of the Holy of Holies, as the dwelling place of God, shape your understanding of His presence in your life today?
Reflecting on the veil that separated the Holy of Holies, what barriers in your life do you recognize that might hinder your intimacy with God?
The tearing of the veil represented direct access to God to all who come to Him for salvation through Jesus. In what ways does the tearing of the veil at Jesus' crucifixion impact your daily approach to God in prayer and worship?

engage

How does the symbolism of the Holy of Holies and its veil deepen our understanding of God's holiness and our need for His grace?
Discuss the significance of Jesus' role as the ultimate High Priest and the implications for our access to God compared to the Old Testament practices.
How does the historical significance of the Holy of Holies, from its role in the Old Testament sacrificial system to Jesus' sacrifice and the tearing of the veil, reveal God's redemptive plan for humanity throughout history?