Holy of holies

name, noun, slang

Definitions

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    The inner sanctum of the Temple in Jerusalem.

    "The holy of holies, a cubical space of ten cubits on the side, was separated from the larger antechamber by four columns, which were also covered with gold and stood upon silver sockets; they bore a second curtain of four colors."

Noun
  1. 1
    The most sacred place within a sacred building. broadly, figuratively
  2. 2
    Alternative letter-case form of Holy of Holies. alt-of
  3. 3
    (Judaism) sanctuary comprised of the innermost chamber of the Tabernacle in the temple of Solomon where the Ark of the Covenant was kept wordnet
  4. 4
    One's private retreat, an inner sanctum. humorous, informal
  5. 5
    (figurative) something regarded as sacred or inviolable wordnet
Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    That which is holiest among holy things. figuratively

    "Rabbi Akiba declared that if the other books of the Bible are holy, Shir Hashirim is the "holy of holies.""

Etymology

Etymology 1

Calque of Biblical Hebrew קודש הקודשים \ קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים (kódesh hakodashím).

Etymology 2

Calque of Biblical Hebrew קודש הקודשים \ קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים (kódesh hakodashím).

Next best steps

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: holyofholies