holy of holies

noun phrase

: the innermost and most sacred chamber of the Jewish tabernacle and temple

Examples of holy of holies in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The library now keeps its Russian Golden Era books in its holy of holies, along with its rarest books, including a Gutenberg Bible. —

Rachel Donadio, New York Times, 1 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

translation of Late Latin sanctum sanctorum, translation of Hebrew qōdhesh haq-qŏdhāshīm

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of holy of holies was in 1641

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Holy of holies.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holy%20of%20holies. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation