Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Judaism) The innermost sanctuary: In the ancient Jewish Tabernacle and later in the Temple of Solomon, this was the most sacred chamber where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. Only the High Priest could enter, and only on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement).
   • (Figurative) A sacred or inviolable place or thing: Something regarded as supremely sacred, private, or beyond criticism.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Historical/Religious context):

  • The high priest entered the holy of holies once a year to make atonement for the people's sins.
  • Archaeologists study descriptions of the Temple to understand the layout of the holy of holies.

• Noun (Figurative context):

  • The original manuscript is kept in a vault, treated as the holy of holies by the museum's curators.
  • For many, their personal journal is a holy of holies not to be read by others.

Advanced Usage

• "to treat something as the holy of holies": To regard something with extreme reverence and protect it from any interference or criticism.
  • The founding principles of the institution are treated as the holy of holies and are never questioned.

Variants and Related Words

• Sanctum sanctorum: This Latin phrase is a direct translation of "holy of holies" and is often used synonymously, especially in figurative contexts.
  • His private study was his sanctum sanctorum, where he would allow no disturbances.

Synonyms

• Inner sanctum: A private or highly secret place.
• Sacred cow: (Idiomatic) An idea, custom, or institution regarded as being above criticism (shares the figurative sense of being untouchable).
• Holy place: A general term for a location considered sacred.

Related Idioms

• "To enter the holy of holies": (Figurative) To gain access to a very exclusive, private, or secret area of an organization or field of knowledge.
  • After years of research, she finally entered the holy of holies of theoretical physics.

Noun

1. (Judaism) sanctuary comprised of the innermost chamber of the Tabernacle in the temple of Solomon where the Ark of the Covenant was kept
2. (figurative) something regarded as sacred or inviolable
   • every politician fears to touch that holy of holies, the Social Security System