Reclaiming the Words, Vol VI: Holy
What if “holy” doesn’t mean morally perfect — but completely set apart and filled with the presence of the Holy One?
Reclaiming the Words, Vol VI: Holy
What if “holy” doesn’t mean morally perfect — but completely set apart and filled with the presence of the Holy One?
About the Series: Reclaiming the Words
Language forms faith — and over time, sacred words lose their shape.
Reclaiming the Words is a weekly series dedicated to recovering the original meaning of key biblical terms. By exploring the Hebrew and Greek roots of words like believe, grace, law, repent, and now holy, we rediscover their covenant context, cultural grounding, and Kingdom purpose.
Each word reclaimed becomes a doorway to deeper discipleship, rooted in the life and teachings of Yeshua.
Part VI: What Does It Mean to Be Holy?
Reclaiming Qadosh, Kodesh, and Hagios as a Call to Covenant Distinction and Spirit-Filled Identity
“You shall be holy, for I Yahweh your God am holy.”
— Leviticus 19:2
In modern usage, “holy” often feels distant — like something reserved for spiritual elites or religious professionals. But in Scripture, holiness is not about moral perfection or ritual legalism. It is about proximity to Yah, devotion to His purpose, and being filled with His presence.
The Hebrew Word: Qadosh (קָדוֹשׁ)
The adjective qadosh means:
Set apart
Dedicated to sacred use
Distinct for Yah’s purposes
Holiness begins with Yahweh — who alone is called Kadosh Yisrael, the Holy One of Israel. His people are called qadoshnot because they are flawless, but because they are His.
“Who is like You, majestic in holiness [qadosh], awesome in glory, working wonders?”
— Exodus 15:11
The Greek Word: Hagios (ἅγιος)
In the New Testament, hagios means:
Sacred
Consecrated
Set apart from the world and set apart for God
Believers are called hagios — not because of their achievements, but because of their identity as a people filled with the Spirit and walking in covenant.
“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation...”
— 1 Peter 2:9
Understanding the Difference: Qadosh vs. Kodesh
Both qadosh (קָדוֹשׁ) and kodesh (קֹדֶשׁ) come from the same root — Q-D-Š (קדש) — meaning “to set apart.” But they are used differently:
WordPart of SpeechMeaningUsageQadoshAdjective“Holy,” set apartDescribes people, objects, or Yah HimselfKodeshNoun“Holiness,” sacrednessRefers to Yah’s holy realm or presence (e.g., “Most Holy Place”)
So when Scripture speaks of the Ruach HaKodesh (רוּחַ הַקֹּדֶשׁ), it refers to the Spirit of Holiness Itself — the living breath of Yah who fills, sanctifies, and sets His people apart.
The Ruach HaKodesh: The Spirit of Holiness
The Ruach HaKodesh is the Holy Spirit — not simply “a holy spirit,” but the Spirit who embodies Yah’s very holiness(kodesh). This Spirit:
Hovered over creation (Genesis 1:2)
Filled the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34)
Empowered prophets (Isaiah 61:1)
Came upon Yeshua at His immersion (Luke 3:22)
Filled the early believers at Shavuot (Acts 2:1–4)
“But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Yeshua Messiah and by the Spirit of our God.”
— 1 Corinthians 6:11
Holiness is not self-made — it is imparted and sustained by the Ruach HaKodesh.
Yeshua: The Holy One of God
Yeshua is called the “Holy One of God” (Mark 1:24). He was not only set apart — He was filled with the Spirit of Holiness without measure.
He showed that holiness is not about isolation from impurity, but about transformation in presence. He made the unclean clean. He restored the outcast. He remained undefiled because He was wholly consecrated to the Father.
“I sanctify Myself for their sake, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.”
— John 17:19
The Call to Be Holy
The apostles called all believers to be holy — not only in status, but in daily conduct.
“As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.”
— 1 Peter 1:15–16“Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”
— 1 Corinthians 3:16
To be holy is to be a living sanctuary — set apart, filled with kodesh, and walking in the Spirit.
Why the English Falls Short
In English, “holy” often feels like cold perfectionism or religious distance. But in Scripture, qadosh and kodesh speak of intimacy with Yah, of being His possession, filled with His presence, and empowered by His Spirit.
Holiness is not about avoiding the world. It’s about belonging to Yah in the midst of it.
Practical Application:
Live Like You’ve Been Set Apart and Filled
This week, invite the Ruach HaKodesh — the Spirit of Holiness — to search, fill, and shape you into a living sanctuary:
Reflect: Are your daily rhythms (rest, prayer, decisions) set apart for Him?
Examine: Is your speech clean, your relationships loving, your time surrendered?
Ask: “Ruach HaKodesh, make me holy — not just in name, but in action, affection, and purpose.”
Holiness isn’t something you perform. It’s something you receive and walk in.
Five Discussion Questions
How does understanding qadosh vs kodesh expand your view of holiness?
What does it mean that Yah calls you to be holy because He is holy?
How does the Ruach HaKodesh make holiness possible in our lives?
What’s the difference between being “morally good” and being “set apart”?
In what area of your life is Yah calling you to greater distinction and devotion?