The innermost part of the tabernacle, a section about fifteen feet square, was the Holy of Holies or Most Holy Place.
It contained only one object, the ark of the covenant (see 114), the sacred gold-covered chest that symbolized the presence of God.
Only on very special ceremonial occasions would Israel’s high priest enter the Holy of Holies, notably on the annual Day of Atonement, when he would sprinkle blood on the ark’s lid, a symbol of sacrifice for the people’s sins.
Later, Israel’s rituals were transferred from the Ten of Meeting to the temple of Jerusalem, which also contained a Holy of Holies housing the ark.