<P> A related term is the debir (דְּבִיר ‬) transliterated in the Septuagint as dabir (δαβιρ), which either means the back (i.e. western) part of the Sanctuary, or derives from the verb stem D-V-R, "to speak", justifying the translation in the Latin Vulgate as oraculum, from which the traditional English translation "oracle" (KJV, 1611) derives . </P> <P> The Holy of Holies was covered by a veil, and no one was allowed to enter except the High Priest, and even he could only enter once a year on Yom Kippur (the day of atonement), to offer the blood of sacrifice and incense before the mercy seat . The Bible reports that in the wilderness, on the day that the tabernacle was first raised up, the cloud of the Lord covered the tabernacle (Exodus 40: 33 - 40: 34). There are other times that this was recorded, and instructions were given that the Lord would appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat (kapporet), and at that time the priests should not enter into the tabernacle (Leviticus 16: 2). According to the Hebrew Bible, the Holy of Holies contained the Ark of the Covenant with representation of Cherubim . Upon completion of the dedication of the Tabernacle, the Voice of God spoke to Moses "from between the Cherubim" (Numbers 7: 89). </P> <P> The area could be entered only by the High Priest on Yom Kippur after sanctifying himself . </P> <P> The Holy of Holies, the most sacred site in Judaism, is the inner sanctuary within the Tabernacle and Temple in Jerusalem when Solomon's Temple and the Second Temple were standing . The Holy of Holies was located in the westernmost end of the Temple building, being a perfect cube: 20 cubits by 20 cubits by 20 cubits . The inside was in total darkness and contained the Ark of the Covenant, gilded inside and out, in which was placed the Tablets of the Covenant . According to Hebrews 9: 4 in the New Testament, Aaron's rod and a pot of manna were also in the ark . The Ark was covered with a lid made of pure gold, known as the "mercy seat" (Exodus 37: 6) which was covered by the beaten gold cherubim wings . Creating the space for the Divine Presence . </P>

The veil of the temple in the old testament