What is the Meaning of “Holy“?
The meaning of “holy” is often defined by the culture around us. But the ancient Biblical culture gives us a very specific perspective on this unique word.
Merriam-Webster defines holy as a “religious or morally good; exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness.”
For this reason, when we read about people like holy priests, who ministered to God in the Tabernacle, we often cannot relate to them. That is because we feel like we aren’t good enough to fit into that category.
Then we read in the Scriptures that there were a lot holy objects in the Temple. Does that mean that these objects are “morally good” or “perfect in righteousness?”There is something that we are missing in both of these understandings.
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The Hebrew Words for Holiness
Hebrew is a unique language when it comes to word studies. Every word carries the meaning of the root word that it derived from originally. In this way, the Hebrew word for “holy”, kodesh, comes from the root word “Kadash”.
In simpler terms, it means to be set apart for a specific purpose (Ancient Hebrew Lexicon, vituralbookword.com publishing, Jeff Benner).
There are times when aspects of moral righteousness or Godly devotion are connected to “holy” people. Nevertheless, on its own, the term holiness does not refer to piety or perfection.
When the Bible calls something holy, it is not speaking of purity or righteousness. Rather, it is something “set apart” from everything else in order to do a job.
Set Apart
By this definition, our homes contain a few holy objects. If you own a coffee pot that is only used for coffee – and not tea or fruit punch – by definition, you have a “holy coffee pot.”
Your toothbrush is only used for your teeth and (hopefully) not for anyone else’s mouth, especially not for cleaning any other item. So, by definition, you have a “holy toothbrush.”
There is nothing divine about these household items, but they are set apart for a unique purpose.
What does the Bible Say about the meaning of Holy?
With this new understanding, consider these well known scriptures:
Exodus 19:6 and 1 Peter 2:9 both refer to Israel as “a holy nation.”
A quick glance at Israel in the Bible and today could leave you baffled. There are many faults in this nation that does not live up to what God intended.
When the Scriptures call Israel a holy nation, it isn’t suggesting that Israel is perfect or sinless. But it points to the fact that Israel’s calling is for a specific purpose in the earth.
In Leviticus 11:44 and 1 Peter 1:16 we read “Be holy as I am holy.”
Many have understood this to mean that we are required to be perfect like God. If we could be perfect on our own or simply encouraged to do so, we wouldn’t have a need for the sacrifice of Jesus.
But we know that’s not true. We simply cannot do it. In these verses, God is not putting something on us that we cannot carry out. We are not required to be perfectly sinless on our own.
He is saying he wants us to choose to be uniquely different from our surroundings and focused in the way He is. The meaning of holy in this case points to the fact that we are not of this world.
A Holy Proclamation
Isaiah 6:3 and Revelation 4:8 say that the angels cry before God: “Holy holy holy is the Lord of Hosts” day and night.
With our western understanding, we might wonder why they would say the same thing over and over. Do they not get bored?
Yet before the Lord’s throne, nothing could be more compelling. The angels are proclaiming the holiness or the uniqueness of God, because He is so different from all Creation.
In essence they are saying:
“You are so set apart from anything and everything in every situation! There is no one that loves the way you do! No one has the perspective that you do! No one in all the earth is as kind and merciful as You! Your justice is like no other justice in the universe! You are so uniquely different than anything else you have created!”
We could go on and on, proclaiming how set apart and focused He is on a specific purpose. And that is exactly what the angels do!
Holiness is not about being absolutely perfect, but instead, it is about being separated from what is sinful. We cannot make ourselves perfect and blameless, but we can choose to be set apart for God. Thus, we can choose to be holy.
7 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know: Free PDF Download
With the use of the Hebrew language God revealed Himself to mankind. This ancient tongue held the greatest spiritual truths that guided our lives through the ages. And in each generation, they are discovered anew.
We know the Bible can be hard to understand and you want to get more out of it. Which is why we want to teach you seven Hebrew words that will transform the way you read the Bible.
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
