Holy, Holy, Holy

Defining Terms

In the OT, the word for Holy is qadosh and it means “marked-off” or “withdrawn from common, or ordinary use.” (Christian Theology, Erickson, p. 284)

In the NT, the word for Holy is hagios and it relates to any matter of religious awe; set apart, sanctified, consecrated. A further definition of the word is pure, clean, including the idea of deserved respect, reverence. (The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the NT, Zodhiates, entry #40, p. 70)

Erickson gives two main aspects relating to God’s holiness. “The first is his uniqueness … He is totally separate from all of creation.” He later states that “the other aspect of God’s holiness is his absolute purity or goodness. This means that he is untouched and unstained by the evil in the world. ().” [Erickson, pp. 284-285]