Sanctuary This term is used by AV [Note: V Authorized Version.] and RV [Note: V Revised Version.] (1) in Hebrews 9:1 for τ ὸ ἅ γιον, which denotes the sacred tent in both its parts, as is implied by the synonymous σκηνή, ‘tabernacle,’ in the following verse; and (2) in Hebrews 8:2 for τ ὰ ἅ για, the heavenly sanctuary or holy of holies (RVm [Note: Vm Revised Version margin.] ‘holy things’). The word represents ἅ για in Hebrews 9:2 (RV [Note: V Revised Version.] ‘the Holy place’), where the omission of the article, in contrast to the invariable LXX [Note: XX Septuagint.] usage (Leviticus 10:4, Numbers 3:22, etc.), serves to emphasize the holiness (M. Dods in EGT [Note: GT Expositor’s Greek Testament.], ‘Hebrews,’ 1910, in loco.). In this passage ἅ για stands in express contrast to ἅ για ἁ γίων (9:3), ‘the Holiest of all’ (AV [Note: V Authorized Version.]), ‘the Holy of holies’ (RV [Note: V Revised Version.]). but the simple τά ἅ για frequently denotes ‘the Holiest,’ and is so translated by the AV [Note: V Authorized Version.] in Hebrews 9:8, Hebrews 10:19, though elsewhere (9:25, 13:11) ‘the holy place,’ which is the RV [Note: V Revised Version.] rendering in all these passages. This usage is justified by Leviticus 16:2, etc., where קֹדָשׁ, LXX [Note: XX Septuagint.] τ ὸ ἅ γιον, denotes the holy place within the veil; Vulg. [Note: ulg. Vulgate.] sanctuarium quod est intra velum. It is now recognized by all scholars that the central sanctuary and elaborate ritual of the desert wanderings are not historical realities but products of religions idealism, based in all essential features upon the architectural plan and sacerdotal rubric of the Second Temple. but the argument of the writer of Hebrews is scarcely affected by the change from the traditional to the critical view. Whether the earthly sanctuary, which he at once magnifies and depreciates, was the creation of Moses or of Ezekiel and Ezra, it has now had its day and must cease to be, since the true high priest has passed into the heavenly sanctuary, and become the minister of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man (Hebrews 9:1, Hebrews 9:2).
Literature.-artt. [Note: rtt. articles.] ‘Tabernacle’ and ‘Temple’ in HDB [Note: DB Hastings’ Dict. of the Bible (5 vols.).] and EBi [Note: Bi EncyclopAEdia Biblica.] .
James Strahan.