Only once a year could the high priest enter into the most holy place, after the most careful and solemn preparation. No mortal eye but that of the high priest could look upon the sacred grandeur of that apartment, because it was the especial dwelling-place of God’s visible glory. The high priest always entered it with trembling, while the people waited his return with solemn silence. Their earnest desires were to God for his blessing. Before the mercy-seat, God conversed with the high priest. If he remained an unusual time in the most holy, the people were often terrified, fearing that because of their sins, or some sin of the priest, the glory of the Lord had slain him. But when the sound of the tinkling of the bells upon his garments was heard, they were greatly relieved. He then came forth and blessed the people. {1SP 274.2}

Kun en gang om året kunne ypperstepræsten gå ind i det allerhelligste, og efter den mest omhyggelige og højtidelige forberedelse. Ingen andre dødelige øjne end ypperstepræstens kunne se på den afdelings hellige ophøjethed, fordi det var det særlige bosted for Guds synlige herlighed. Ypperstepræsten gik altid ind med skælven, medens hele folket ventede på at han skulle komme tilbage med højtidelig (275) tavshed. Deres alvorligste ønske var til Gud, om hans velsignelse. Foran nådestolen, talte Gud med ypperstepræsten. Hvis han blev der usædvanlig lang tid i det allerhelligste, var folk ofte forfærdede, og frygtede Herren havde slået ham ihjel på grund af deres synder, eller præstens synd. Men når lyden at klingende bjæller på hans klæder kunne høres, var de meget lettede. Han kom så frem og velsignede folket.