The Mystery of Holiness
In English, we often think of “holy” as an adjective describing something sacred. But in Hebrew, kadosh is more than a description, it's a state of being, a divine calling, and even a separation.
The Real Meaning of Kadosh
The root of קדוש is קדש (kuf-dalet-shin), which means to set apart, to dedicate, to consecrate.
- A מקדש (mikdash) is a sanctuary - a holy place.
- A קדוש (kadosh) is a person set apart by God.
- Even שבת (Sabbath) is called יום קדוש (yom kadosh) - a holy day.
To call something kadosh is to mark it as belonging to the realm of the divine. Not common, not ordinary, but set apart for a sacred purpose. To say God is kadosh isn’t just to say He is pure. It’s to declare that He is beyond comparison, utterly other, wholly set apart from all that is created.
Kadosh - and You
But here’s the mystery: Scripture also says you are called to be kadosh.
“You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.” - Leviticus 19:2
This isn’t a demand for perfection. It’s an invitation to be set apart. To live in a way that reflects heaven, not just earth. To walk differently. To love differently. To carry God not just in your actions, but in your very being.
Your Sacred Calling
The Biblical holiness of God is not cold and distant. It's fiery, intimate, and alive. The same word spoken by angels, written by prophets, and echoed in Scripture is now calling you to go deeper. Not just to read the Bible, but to understand it in the language God chose.
Start learning Biblical Hebrew today. Let the original words of Scripture speak directly to your soul.