Overview
The Bible addresses sanctuary across 13 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Leviticus, Hebrews and Exodus. Closely related themes include Tabernacle, Priests, Lamp and Reverence. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Aaron and Moses.
Key Bible verses about sanctuary
Old Testament
Exodus
And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.
Leviticus
Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD.
Without the vail of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the LORD continually: it shall be a statute for ever in your generations.
Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD.
Lamentations
The Lord hath cast off his altar, he hath abhorred his sanctuary, he hath given up into the hand of the enemy the walls of her palaces; they have made a noise in the house of the LORD, as in the day of a solemn feast. given up: Heb. shut up
Behold, O LORD, and consider to whom thou hast done this. Shall the women eat their fruit, and children of a span long? shall the priest and the prophet be slain in the sanctuary of the Lord? of a span: or, swaddled with their hands?
Ezekiel
Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.
He measured it by the four sides: it had a wall round about, five hundred reeds long, and five hundred broad, to make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place.
New Testament
Hebrews
A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. of the sanctuary: or, of holy things
Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. the sanctuary: or, holy
People in the Bible and sanctuary
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying sanctuary for yourself
- Begin with Exodus 25:8, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Leviticus, Hebrews and Exodus each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Aaron and Moses and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Tabernacle, Priests, Lamp and Reverence.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about sanctuary?
The Bible addresses sanctuary across 13 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Leviticus, Hebrews and Exodus. Closely related themes include Tabernacle, Priests, Lamp and Reverence. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Aaron and Moses.
How many Bible verses are about sanctuary?
The Bible references sanctuary in 13 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention sanctuary?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Exodus 25:8: “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.”
Which people in the Bible are associated with sanctuary?
Aaron and Moses.
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