or (shortened) דְּבִר; from דָבַר (apparently in the sense of oracle); the shrine or innermost part of the sanctuary; oracle.
Transliteration:dᵉbîyr
Pronunciation:deb-eer'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term דְּבִיר (dᵉbîyr, `{{H1687}}`) denotes the innermost sanctuary of the Temple, specifically the Holy of Holies. Its etymology is deeply significant, deriving from the root דָבַר (dabar, `{{H1696}}`), meaning "to speak," "to utter," or "to declare." This connection reveals the core semantic range of דְּבִיר: it is not merely a physical space but a place intrinsically linked to divine utterance. Thus, while it designates the "shrine" or "innermost part of the sanctuary," it simultaneously carries the connotation of an "oracle"—the very locus from which God's word and decrees emanated. It is the sacred chamber where the divine voice was heard, making it the most hallowed and communicative space within the Israelite cultic system.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term דְּבִיר is predominantly found in the books detailing the construction and dedication of Solomon's Temple, particularly in 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles. It consistently refers to the innermost room, the Holy of Holies, which housed the Ark of the Covenant. For instance, [[1 Kings 6:5]] describes the construction of the Temple, noting the side chambers around "the walls of the house, both of the temple and of the oracle." Later, [[1 Kings 6:16]] specifies, "He built twenty cubits of the rear of the house with boards of cedar from the floor to the rafters; he built it for an inner sanctuary, for the Most Holy Place." Here, the Hebrew uses דְּבִיר for "inner sanctuary." The dimensions and materials of this sacred space are meticulously detailed, emphasizing its distinctness and sanctity (e.g., [[1 Kings 6:19-20]], [[1 Kings 6:31]]).
In [[1 Kings 8:6]], it is the דְּבִיר into which the priests bring the Ark of the Covenant during the Temple's dedication, signifying God's dwelling among His people. The phrase "the oracle of the house" (דְּבִיר הַבַּיִת) underscores its function as the speaking place within the dwelling. Similarly, [[2 Chronicles 3:16]] and [[2 Chronicles 4:20]] refer to elements within or leading to the דְּבִיר. The consistent usage highlights its unique status as the most sacred and restricted area, the very heart of the Temple where God's presence was most tangibly manifested and His will revealed.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary and most crucial related word to דְּבִיר (dᵉbîyr, `{{H1687}}`) is its root, דָבַר (dabar, `{{H1696}}`), meaning "to speak," "to declare," or "to command." This root also gives rise to the noun דָּבָר (dabar, `{{H1697}}`), meaning "word," "matter," or "thing." The linguistic link underscores that the דְּבִיר is not merely a silent chamber but a place of divine communication.
Other related terms that describe parts of the sanctuary or concepts associated with the דְּבִיר include:
* **קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים** (qodesh haqqodashim, "Holy of Holies"): This phrase often functions as a descriptive title for the דְּבִיר, emphasizing its superlative holiness.
* **הֵיכָל** (heikal, `{{H1964}}`): Refers to the main hall of the Temple, the "Holy Place," which was distinct from and outside the innermost דְּבִיר.
* **מִשְׁכָּן** (mishkan, `{{H4908}}`): The Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that preceded the Temple, which also contained a "Most Holy Place" analogous to the דְּבִיר.
* **כַּפֹּרֶת** (kapporeth, `{{H3727}}`): The "Mercy Seat" or "atonement cover" on the Ark of the Covenant, located within the דְּבִיר, where God's presence was manifested and atonement made.
The concepts of divine presence (Shekinah), divine revelation, covenant, and atonement are inextricably linked to the דְּבִיר. It was the physical embodiment of God's condescension to dwell among His people and the designated space for the most profound encounters with the Divine.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of the דְּבִיר is profound and multifaceted. It stands as the ultimate symbol of God's holy presence among His people. As the "oracle," it signifies that God is not a distant deity but one who communicates His will, gives His law, and offers His guidance. The restricted access to the דְּבִיר—only the High Priest, once a year, on the Day of Atonement—underscored both God's absolute holiness and the necessity of atonement for sinful humanity to approach Him. This annual ritual within the דְּבִיר, involving the sprinkling of blood on the mercy seat, pointed to the essential truth that reconciliation with God requires a covering for sin.
The דְּבִיר, with its veiled separation, prefigured the ultimate access to God. In the New Testament, the tearing of the Temple veil at the moment of Christ's death (e.g., [[Matthew 27:51]]) is understood as the dramatic fulfillment and abrogation of the Temple's physical barriers. Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, the way into the true "Holy of Holies"—God's very presence—is opened for all believers (e.g., [[Hebrews 9:8-12]], [[Hebrews 10:19-20]]). Jesus Christ himself becomes the ultimate "Word" (Logos) and the High Priest who enters the heavenly sanctuary, making the symbolic function of the earthly דְּבִיר obsolete yet perfectly fulfilled. Thus, the דְּבִיר serves as a powerful theological bridge, connecting the Old Covenant's worship and atonement rituals to the New Covenant's reality of direct access to God through Christ.
### Summary
The Hebrew word דְּבִיר (dᵉbîyr, `{{H1687}}`) designates the innermost sanctuary of the Israelite Temple, known as the Holy of Holies. Derived from the root "to speak," it is fundamentally understood as the "oracle"—the sacred space from which God's divine word and presence emanated. Its biblical occurrences, primarily in 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles, consistently portray it as the most holy and restricted area, housing the Ark of the Covenant and serving as the focal point of divine manifestation. Theologically, the דְּבִיר symbolizes God's immanent holiness, His desire to commune with humanity, and the necessity of atonement for sin. Ultimately, its symbolic significance is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who, through His sacrifice, tore the veil, providing direct and unhindered access to God's presence for all who believe, transcending the physical limitations of the earthly sanctuary.
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