holy of holied

Definition

Holy of holies (noun, plural: holy of holies or holies of holies) 1. Religious term: In Judaism, the innermost and most sacred part of the ancient Temple in Jerusalem, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. Only the high priest could enter it, and only once a year on Yom Kippur. 2. Figurative term: Any place, thing, or concept considered supremely sacred, private, or inviolable.

Usage Examples

• Religious context: (The most sacred chamber of the Temple.)
• Figurative context: (A private, revered space.)

Advanced Usage

• "the holy of holies": Used as a fixed phrase to denote ultimate sanctity or exclusivity.
  • For art enthusiasts, the Louvre’s painting gallery is the holy of holies. (The most sacred or important place.)

Variants and Related Words

• Holy (adj): sacred; morally or spiritually pure.

  • The holy book is treated with great reverence. (Sacred text.)

• Holiness (n): the state of being holy.

  • The holiness of the sanctuary was palpable. (Sacred quality.)

Synonyms

• Sanctum sanctorum: Latin for "holy of holies," used in Christian contexts.
• Inner sanctum: a private, often secret place.
• Sacred space: an area set apart for religious or revered purposes.

Related Idioms

• "Holy of holies" (idiomatic): any place or thing treated with extreme reverence or secrecy.
  • The CEO’s office was the company’s holy of holies. (A highly restricted, respected area.)

Notes

• The phrase is often misspelled as "holy of holied" (as in your query), but the correct form is holy of holies.
• It is a fixed expression; "holies" is the plural of "holy" used as a noun here.