Dictionary of Bible Themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7300 Institutions and culture of OT » 7438 sanctuary
A place or structure set aside for the worship of God. In Scripture the word generally refers to the tabernacle or the Jerusalem temple. By extension the word signifies a location or spiritual state providing refuge from hostile forces, human, spiritual or natural.
The tabernacle
Exodus 25:8-9See alsoExodus 36:1;Hebrews 8:2,5
Worship in the tabernacle was divinely ordained in great detail
Exodus 30:7-10;Leviticus 7:37-38;Leviticus 23:44;Exodus 39:1;Numbers 3:30-31;Hebrews 9:1
The people gave generously for the tabernacle
Exodus 36:4-5
Approach to God's sanctuary was strictly regulated
Leviticus 12:4See alsoLeviticus 21:21-23;Numbers 3:10,38;Numbers 8:19;Numbers 18:5;Numbers 19:20;2 Chronicles 26:18
A reverent attitude was commanded
Leviticus 19:30 ppLeviticus 26:2
The Jerusalem temple
David made extensive preparations for Solomon to build the temple
1 Chronicles 22:17-19See also1 Chronicles 28:2-3,6
The inner sanctuary of the temple corresponded to the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle
1 Kings 6:19See also1 Kings 8:6 pp2 Chronicles 5:7;1 Chronicles 6:49;Hebrews 9:1-4
Some places were considered sacred because of God's presence and activity
Exodus 15:17See alsoGenesis 28:16-17;Exodus 3:1-5;Psalm 15:1;Psalm 63:2;Psalm 73:16-17;Jeremiah 17:12
Conduct that displeases God will lead to a nation's sanctuaries being destroyed
Disobedience to God
Leviticus 26:31See also2 Chronicles 30:8;Ezekiel 7:24;Lamentations 2:7;Amos 7:9;Malachi 2:11
Dishonesty in dealings
Ezekiel 28:18
Idolatry
See alsoLeviticus 20:3;Ezekiel 8:6;Ezekiel 23:38-39
Profaning the sanctuary
Ezekiel 44:7-8;Zephaniah 3:4
Sanctuary from vengeance: the cities of refuge
Joshua 20:2-3See alsoNumbers 35:6,9-12
God himself is his people's sanctuary
Psalm 31:20See alsoDeuteronomy 33:27;Psalm 17:7-9;Psalm 27:1;Psalm 32:7;Psalm 46:1;Psalm 64:1-2;Psalm 91:4;Isaiah 25:4;Ezekiel 11:16;Romans 8:38-39;Philippians 4:7;Hebrews 6:19
Non-material “sanctuaries” of God
Heaven, where God is perfectly worshipped
Psalm 102:19See alsoHebrews 9:24
God's worshipping people, in whom God dwells
Psalm 114:2See also1 Corinthians 6:19;Ephesians 2:21;1 Peter 2:5
Jesus Christ himself as the “place” where God dwelt on earth
John 2:19-21
See also
3278 Holy Spirit, indwelling
5490 refuge
5511 safety
7241 Jerusalem, significance
7396 Most Holy Place
7442 shrine
7459 tabernacle, in OT
7467 temple, Solomon's
7474 Tent of Meeting
7768 priests, OT function
8626 worship, places
9411 heaven
