Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(made holy). A holy or sanctified place (Psa. 20:2). The secret part of the temple in which the ark of the covenant was kept, and which none but the high priest might enter, and he only once a year, on the day of solemn expiation (Lev. 4:6). Also applied to the furniture of the holy place (Num. 10:21); to the apartment where the altar of incense, table of shewbread and holy candlestick stood (2 Chron. 26:18); to the whole tabernacle or temple (Josh. 24:26; 2 Chron. 20:8). “Sanctuary of strength,” because belonging to God (Dan. 11:31). Any place of public worship of God (Psa. 73:17). Heaven (Psa. 102:19). Place of refuge (Isa. 8:14; Ezek. 11:16). Land of Israel called God’s sanctuary (Ex. 15:17). “Worldly sanctuary,” one of an earthly type (Heb. 9:1).
Concise Bible Dictionary:
This is “holy [place],” and is applied in the Old Testament both to the tabernacle and to the temple as a whole, and to the “holy [place]” and “most holy” in distinction from the other parts: “Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary” (Psa. 77:13). The sanctuary was where, in retirement from man and the world, God’s glory was seen, and His mind apprehended; it was where the sacrifices were offered, and God was worshipped.
In the New Testament also the word sanctuary is applied to the holy and most holy parts of the tabernacle (Heb. 9:1-8; Heb. 10:19; Heb. 13:11). Here it is called “worldly,” (κοσμκός) in reference possibly to its order, and its contrast to the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched, and not man. The word “sanctuary” in Hebrews 8:2 is literally holy (places or things); of these Christ is minister. The sanctuary for the Christian consists in the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. God is revealed without a veil.