The Inner House of Solomon's Temple, often referred to as the "Most Holy Place" or "Holy of Holies," was the most sacred area within the Temple, serving as the earthly dwelling place of the presence of God. This sacred space was a central feature of the First Temple, constructed by King Solomon in Jerusalem, as described in the biblical narrative.

Biblical Description and Construction

The construction of Solomon's Temple is detailed in 1 Kings 6 and 2 Chronicles 3. The Inner House, or the Most Holy Place, was a perfect cube, measuring twenty cubits in length, width, and height (1 Kings 6:20). It was located at the western end of the Temple, separated from the Holy Place by a veil, symbolizing the separation between God and humanity due to sin.

The walls of the Inner House were overlaid with pure gold, and the floor was also covered with gold (1 Kings 6:30). This lavish use of gold signified the holiness and glory of God. The room housed the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna, representing God's covenant with Israel.

The Cherubim

Within the Inner House, Solomon placed two large cherubim made of olive wood, each ten cubits high, overlaid with gold (1 Kings 6:23-28). These cherubim stood side by side, with their wings outstretched, touching each other in the center of the room and reaching the walls on either side. The presence of the cherubim symbolized the divine protection and the presence of God, as they were often associated with God's throne in biblical imagery.

The Veil

The veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place was made of fine linen and blue, purple, and crimson yarn, with cherubim worked into it (2 Chronicles 3:14). This veil was a significant barrier, indicating that access to the presence of God was restricted. Only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement, to offer blood for his own sins and the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:2, 34).

Theological Significance

The Inner House of Solomon's Temple held profound theological significance. It was the focal point of Israel's worship and the place where God's presence dwelt among His people. The restricted access to the Most Holy Place underscored the holiness of God and the need for atonement and mediation.

The design and function of the Inner House foreshadowed the coming of Jesus Christ, who, according to the New Testament, fulfilled the role of the ultimate High Priest. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, the veil of the Temple was torn, symbolizing the removal of the barrier between God and humanity (Matthew 27:51). This act opened the way for believers to enter into the presence of God with confidence, as described in Hebrews 10:19-22.

Historical Context

Solomon's Temple stood for nearly four centuries before its destruction by the Babylonians in 586 BC. The Inner House, as the dwelling place of the Ark of the Covenant, was central to the religious life of Israel during this period. Its destruction marked a significant moment in Israel's history, leading to the Babylonian exile and the eventual rebuilding of the Temple under Zerubbabel.

The Inner House of Solomon's Temple remains a powerful symbol of God's holiness, the need for atonement, and the promise of restored fellowship with God through the Messiah.1 Kings 6:27
And he set the cherubim within the inner house: and they stretched forth the wings of the cherubim, so that the wing of the one touched the one wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; and their wings touched one another in the middle of the house.
Nave's Topical Index

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

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

At the Feast of Tabernacles - First Discourse in the Temple
... give to the whole festival the name of House of Outpouring ... that it was the only relic
left of Solomon's Temple. ... 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

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

The Return of the Exiles
... whose waters had been turned aside, and through the inner gates that ... God, and carried
out His purpose for Israel, the temple built by Solomon would not ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 45 the return of.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

Hugh the Builder
... of Hugh to the beauty of God's house." The dying ... to the proof, both in material and
art, Solomon's temple. ... blossom in hidden crockets for the inner flowers of ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter viii hugh the builder.htm

A Little Sanctuary
... fled to the horns of the altar to escape from Solomon's armed men ... "Holiness becometh
thy house." This applied to the whole temple, but the inner shrine was ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/a little sanctuary.htm

Boehme's Universe
... in which he shall live and the inner "tincture" of ... or hate"in short, as "it keeps
house," to use ... lighted up like the windows of Solomon's Temple""saw there ...
/.../chapter x boehmes universe.htm

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