Topical Bible: Temple: Solomon's: Inner

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Inner Temple, often referred to as the "Holy of Holies," was the most sacred part of Solomon's Temple, serving as the dwelling place of the presence of God among the Israelites. This sacred space was located at the westernmost end of the temple structure and was separated from the Holy Place by a veil. The design and construction of the Inner Temple were meticulously detailed, reflecting its significance in Israelite worship and religious life.

Construction and Design

The construction of Solomon's Temple, including the Inner Temple, is described in 1 Kings 6 and 2 Chronicles 3. The Inner Temple was a perfect cube, measuring twenty cubits in length, width, and height (1 Kings 6:20). This precise dimension symbolized perfection and completeness, befitting the dwelling place of the Almighty.

The walls of the Inner Temple were overlaid with pure gold, and the floor was covered with gold as well (1 Kings 6:30). The lavish use of gold signified the holiness and glory of God. The interior was adorned with carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, all of which were also overlaid with gold (1 Kings 6:29). These decorations symbolized the beauty and majesty of God's creation and His heavenly court.

The Ark of the Covenant

The most significant feature of the Inner Temple was the Ark of the Covenant, which was placed within this sacred space. The Ark, a symbol of God's covenant with Israel, contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod that budded, and a pot of manna (Hebrews 9:4). The Ark was positioned beneath the wings of two large cherubim, each ten cubits high, made of olive wood and overlaid with gold (1 Kings 6:23-28). The cherubim's wings spanned the entire width of the Inner Temple, touching each wall and meeting in the center, symbolizing divine protection and the presence of God.

Access and Rituals

Access to the Inner Temple was highly restricted. Only the High Priest could enter, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), to make atonement for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:2-34). This exclusivity underscored the holiness of the space and the seriousness of approaching God.

The veil that separated the Holy Place from the Inner Temple was a significant barrier, representing the separation between God and humanity due to sin. This veil was made of blue, purple, and crimson yarn and fine linen, with cherubim worked into it by skilled craftsmen (2 Chronicles 3:14).

Theological Significance

The Inner Temple was the focal point of Israel's worship and the center of their religious life. It represented God's presence among His people and His covenantal relationship with them. The rituals and restrictions associated with the Inner Temple highlighted the holiness of God and the need for atonement and purification to approach Him.

The destruction of Solomon's Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC marked a significant moment in Israel's history, leading to a period of exile and reflection on their relationship with God. The concept of the Inner Temple continued to hold theological significance, influencing later Jewish thought and Christian theology, particularly in understanding the person and work of Jesus Christ as the ultimate High Priest and the tearing of the veil at His crucifixion (Matthew 27:51), symbolizing direct access to God for all believers.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Kings 6:36
And he built the inner court with three rows of hewed stone, and a row of cedar beams.
Nave's Topical Index

Strong's Hebrew

1687. debir -- perhaps (a place of) speaking (the innermost room ...
... Word Origin perhaps from dabar Definition perhaps (a place of) speaking (the innermost
room of Solomon's temple) NASB Word Usage inner sanctuary (15 ...
/hebrew/1687.htm - 6k

Library

Building a Great Temple
... Against the wall of the temple on the outside Solomon built wings, both around the
larger room and the inner room, and made side-chambers around the temple. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/building a great temple.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... elevation, the whole arrangement of this gorgeous temple, proceeded from ... David gave
to Solomon his son ... upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

Acts III
... 11-15. The apostles took a position in one of the open colonnades which faced
the inner side of the temple wall, called Solomon's Portico. ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts iii.htm

At the Feast of Tabernacles - First Discourse in the Temple
... Solomon's Porch,' from the circumstance that it was the only relic left of Solomon's
Temple. ... led Peter, in name of the others, to end the sore inner contest by ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi at the feast.htm

Book 8 Footnotes
... and all others agree, that the inner temple, or court ... timber and stones to build
the temple for three ... building itself did not begin till Solomon's fourth year ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 8 footnotes.htm

In the House of his Heavenly, and in the Home of his Earthly ...
... Passing along the eastern colonnade, or Solomon's Porch, we ... held their meetings in
the Temple; the second ... Thirteen openings admitted into the inner part of the ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter x in the house.htm

The Temple and Its Dedication
... In bringing to the temple the sacred ark containing the ... God the precepts of the
Decalogue, Solomon had followed ... As they came out of the inner sanctuary, they ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 2 the temple and.htm

Christ Glorified as the Builder of his Church
... Hence his church is said to be his temple Oh, Christian ... the world; he takes you into
his inner chamber; he manifests his love; the song of Solomon is sung ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/christ glorified as the builder.htm

Teaching in the Temple on the Octave of the Feast of Tabernacles.
... children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, not even Solomon's feast could ... generally The
Temple and its Services,' pp ... the Court of the Women and the inner court.' It ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter viii teaching in the.htm

'Then Shall the Lame Man Leap as an Hart'
... court, and came to a gate leading into the inner court, which ... Solomon's porch was,
like the Beautiful gate, on the east side of the Temple enclosure, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/then shall the lame man.htm