the greek new testament retains the pre-christian septuagint phrase "holy of the holies" "hágion "(sg n)" tōn hagíōn" () without the definite article as "holies of holies" "hágia "(pl n)" hagíōn" () in hebrews 9:3. in the vulgate, these are rendered as "sanctum sanctorum" and "sancta sanctorum", respectively. the greek language was the common language upon hellenization of much of the middle east after the death of alexander the great, and the division of his empire among four generals. the jews of the diaspora spoke it. the latin vulgate of st. jerome was a faithful translation for christian rome.