sanctum sanctorum

1. Judaism. The innermost shrine of a tabernacle and temple; the holy of holies.
2. An inviolably private place: The clubhouse was their sanctum sanctorum.

[Late Latin sānctum sānctōrum (translation of Greek to hagion tōn hagiōn , translation of Hebrew qōdeš haqqodāšîm) : sānctum, holy place + sānctōrum, genitive pl. of sānctum, holy place.]

1. The innermost or holiest place of a tabernacle or temple, the “holy of holies.”
2. Any especially private place or retreat which may not be entered except by special permission.

The noun has 2 meanings:

Meaning #1: a place of inviolable privacy
  Synonym: sanctum

Meaning #2: (Judaism) sanctuary comprised of the innermost chamber of the Tabernacle in the Temple of Jerusalem where the Ark of the Covenant was kept
  Synonym: holy of holies

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This article is about the Latin phrase. For the fictional building in the Marvel Universe, see Sanctum Sanctorum.

Sanctum sanctorum in Badami Cave Temples

The Latin phrase sanctum sanctorum means literally "Holy of Holies." It was originally applied in a religious context to the most sacred place within a sacred building, such as a temple. However, in common usage can also be applied to mean any reserved, private, or much-valued place. The term is used in other religions to refer to a most sacred religious shrine.

Sanctum sanctorum can also be used to specify the innermost shrine of a Jewish temple, or more specifically, the innermost shrine (Kodesh Hakodashim) of the Tabernacle, and later the Temple of Solomon.

Sanctum sanctorum refers to the "garbha griha" in Hinduism, meaning the shrine inside a temple complex where the main deity is installed in an area that is in a separate building by itself inside the complex.

References

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