WHAT DOES HOLY MEAN?

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In the Bible, the Hebrew word often translated as “holy” is qadash (קָדַשׁ). When studying the biblical meaning of holiness, three main ideas emerge: separated, pure, and dedicated.

SEPARATED

The most basic meaning of qadash is “set apart” or “separated.” For us today, holiness is often understood first as purity, but in ancient times, when people heard the word holy, their primary thought was separation.

When the Bible says that God is holy, it does not only mean that He is pure or without sin. It primarily means that He is separated from all else because He is divine. He is distinct from His creation, for He alone is God. This is why many scholars explain that when Scripture declares God’s holiness, it is emphasizing His uniqueness—His being “wholly other.” J.L. McKenzie (1965) described holiness as the “mysterious quality of the divine…the ‘wholly other’: that which strikes man in the presence of the divine is the difference between the divine and the created.” In short, God’s holiness means He is utterly unique.

This is why, whenever Scripture highlights God’s holiness, it often stresses that there is no one like Him:

  • “Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God?” (Ps. 77:13)

  • “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you.” (1 Sam. 2:2)

  • “Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you—majestic in holiness?” (Exod. 15:11)

PURE

This is the meaning most familiar to us—that holiness refers to moral purity, righteousness, and being free from sin. But how does this connect to the basic idea of being “separate”?

When applied to God, it means He is separated from sin and from anything evil. Because God is holy, He is absolutely righteous and perfect. His holiness is seen in His complete opposition to sin:

  • “For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome.” (Ps. 5:4)

  • “The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.” (Prov. 15:9)

  • “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing.” (Hab. 1:13)

DEDICATED

Holiness in the Bible also carries the idea of being dedicated or set apart for a special purpose. When something, someone, or a place is called “holy,” it means it has been separated not just to be different, but to be consecrated for God’s use.

For example, the Sabbath day was declared holy: “Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy” (Gen. 2:3). It was set apart from all other days and dedicated to rest. Similarly, Israel was called a “holy people” (Num. 16:3) and a “holy nation” (Exod. 19:6). Not because they were morally perfect, but because God had set them apart from all other nations for His divine purpose. From them would come the Messiah (Jn. 4:22; Rom. 9:4–5), the Savior of the world (Jn. 3:16).

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Through Christ, believers are made holy. We are called “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession” (1 Pet. 2:9). To pursue holiness, then, is to live like Christ. As E. Russell (1963) wrote: “Holiness is interwoven with righteousness and purity. To seek holiness apart from other qualities of a Christlike life is to wander from holiness itself.”This is why Scripture commands: “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” (1 Pet. 1:14–16). Stay Curious.

Sources and Studies:

Russell, E. (1963). 𝐻𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠, 𝐻𝑜𝑙𝑦. New International Bible Dictionary. (p.445-446). Zondervan
McKenzie, J.L. (1965). 𝐻𝑜𝑙𝑦. Dictionary of the Bible. (p.365-367). Macmillan

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