This temple is the holy of holies to many people.
(What is the part of speech 'holy' in the sentence? What does 'the holy' mean?)
"holy" = noun
The whole phrase "holy of holies" means the most sacred or holy place of all.
In the sentence "This temple is the holy of holies to many people," the word "holy" is an adjective. It describes the noun "temple," indicating that it is regarded as sacred or religiously significant.
"The holy" is a noun phrase used to refer to a place or object that is considered extremely sacred or revered. In this context, it suggests that the temple holds the highest level of sanctity among religious sites for many people. The phrase "holy of holies" can be traced back to the Bible, where it refers to the innermost sanctum of the Tabernacle or Temple, which housed the Ark of the Covenant. Today, it is often used figuratively to denote the most sacred or revered place.