Holy of Holies 2

View looking west at the (reconstructed) "Holy of Holies" of the Israelite Temple at Arad. It was approached by three steps. On each side incense altars flanked it and in the back are two standing stones. These are not inscribed, but possibly one represented the presence of Yahweh, while the other may represent his Asherah.

All of this is of course contrary to biblical injunctions and this may be one of the "High Places" mentioned in the Bible. It seems that this sanctuary was desecrated during the religious reforms of both Hezekiah (715–686 B.C.) and Josiah (640–609 B.C.).

For the reconstruction of the original at the Israel Museum Click Here.

Click here for a map and brief description of the Arad Citadel.