What Holy Means in the Bible

In Plain English

Holy means set apart and pure. God is completely different from everything else, and He calls His people to be set apart too.

What It Means

Set apart, wholly other, and morally pure. When applied to God, qadosh describes His absolute uniqueness, there is nothing and no one like Him. When applied to people or objects, it means dedicated entirely to God's purposes and separated from common use.

What We Usually Mean By It

Sacred, pure, or very good

Word Origin

From the Hebrew root meaning 'to cut, separate.' That which is holy is cut off from the common, set apart for special purpose. The fundamental idea is distinction and separation.

What English Loses

The Hebrew word 'קָדוֹשׁ' (qadosh) conveys a profound sense of separation and distinction, often associated with the divine realm. It implies not only moral purity but also a unique status or purpose set apart from the ordinary. This term encompasses a dynamic tension between the sacred and the profane, suggesting an inherent call to transformation. Reading 'qadosh' in Hebrew reveals the depth of God's otherness and the transformative holiness that believers are invited to partake in.

How It Is Used

In biblical Hebrew, 'קָדוֹשׁ' often appears as an adjective modifying nouns, such as in 'קָדוֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל' (the Holy One of Israel). Its placement emphasizes the inherent holiness of the subject. The use of the definite article can denote a specific or recognized sanctity, while its absence may emphasize the quality of holiness itself. This grammatical structure highlights the pervasive and defining nature of holiness in relation to God and His people.

Life in Biblical Times

In the ancient Near Eastern context, 'qadosh' would resonate with the concept of being set apart for divine purposes, a notion familiar in temple practices and priestly duties. Holiness was not just a moral attribute but a status conferred by God, often linked to ritual purity and covenantal identity. Understanding this cultural backdrop enriches our appreciation of biblical holiness as a communal and relational reality, deeply embedded in Israel's identity and worship.

Why It Matters

Holiness is God's most emphasized attribute, it defines everything else about Him. His love is holy love, His justice is holy justice. We are called to 'be holy as He is holy', not achieving His level, but reflecting His character. Sanctification is the process of becoming increasingly set apart for God's purposes.

How to Apply It

Holiness isn't about following rules; it's about belonging wholly to God. What in your life is 'common' that God is calling you to set apart for Him? What needs to be removed so you can be fully dedicated to His purposes?

Did You Know?

In Isaiah 6, the seraphim cry 'Holy, holy, holy', the only attribute of God repeated three times in Scripture. Hebrew uses repetition for emphasis; the threefold repetition indicates the supreme, infinite degree of God's holiness.

Key Passage

“You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.”Leviticus 19:2 (KJV)

Related Words

Sanctify (qadash), Consecrate (nazir), Pure (tahor)