מלכים א, פרק ו׳, פסוק י״ז

The interior space of the Temple was carefully divided to establish the exact size and location of its central hall. Out of the building's total length of sixty cubits, twenty were dedicated to the Holy of Holies, leaving the remaining forty cubits to form the main sanctuary [רד"ק, מלבי"ם]. After the construction of the innermost chamber was completed, attention shifted to this central hall, whose inner walls were also lined with cedar wood [אברבנאל].

The primary approach among commentators positions the main sanctuary directly in front of the Holy of Holies. Because the Holy of Holies was the deepest and most private room, the main hall stood immediately before it, extending outward toward the eastern side [רש"י, רד"ק, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Another perspective defines the hall's location in relation to the Temple's entrance hall rather than its deepest chamber. In this view, the main sanctuary is the inner space located just beyond the entrance. This aligns with the concept that the Holy of Holies is the ultimate inner sanctum, making the main sanctuary the first true interior space of the building [אברבנאל].

Beyond its architectural layout, this central hall holds a profound spiritual significance. Based on early traditions, the space is understood as the physical and spiritual focal point for the people. It is the destination toward which everyone turns their faces, serving as the center where individuals direct their hearts when praying to God [אברבנאל].