ἁγιάζω (hagiazō)
hagiazō
to sanctify
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 25 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb hagiazo means to make holy, a concept that goes beyond simple moral improvement to describe being set apart for God’s use. Derived from the root word for "holy," it functions as a factitive verb, indicating an action that brings about a new state. In the New Testament, this term appears in twenty-five verses, with significant usage in Hebrews and the Gospel of John, reflecting its central role in Christian theology.
Its meaning shifts depending on whether it applies to objects or people. When used of things, such as the temple vessels in Matthew 23:17 or items in a believer’s house (2 Timothy 2:21), it denotes consecration—removing them from common use and dedicating them to sacred purposes. For persons, the sense is twofold: it can refer to a forensic cleansing from guilt, as seen in Hebrews 10:10 where Christ sanctifies believers, or to an internal process of moral renewal, as Jesus prays for his disciples in John 17:17.
A particularly interesting application occurs in 1 Corinthians 7:14, where Paul argues that a believing spouse sanctifies their unbelieving partner. This suggests that holiness can be imparted through close association with the faithful, setting apart the family unit for God’s purposes even if one member has not yet embraced the faith. Translators often render hagiazo as "sanctify," though in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9), it is translated as "hallowed" to emphasize reverence and the recognition of God’s sacred character.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hagiazo describes a profound shift in status: being set apart for God’s specific use. It is not merely about moral improvement but about belonging to Him. In John 17, Jesus prays that His followers be sanctified by the truth of God’s word. This means our daily engagement with Scripture is the primary means by which we are shaped into people who reflect His character.
This setting apart applies to both people and objects. When Paul speaks of believers being sanctified in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:2), he highlights a new identity. We are no longer defined by our past but by our connection to Jesus. Even in difficult family situations, faith can bring a sense of sacred separation, as seen when a believing spouse influences their home (1 Corinthians 7:14).
Ultimately, sanctification is rooted in Christ’s work. Hebrews 10:10 reminds us that we have been sanctified through the single offering of Jesus’ body. This assurance allows us to live with confidence, knowing we are already set apart for God’s purposes, even as we grow in holiness day by day.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 25 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- sanctified8×
- should be hallowed2×
- is sanctifying2×
- do sanctify2×
- you were sanctified1×
- would sanctify1×
- sanctifying1×
- sanctify1×
- it sanctifies1×
- it is sanctified1×
- he was sanctified1×
- he should be holy1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἡγιασμένοις3×
- ἁγιασθήτω3×
- ἡγίασται2×
- ἡγιασμένοι2×
- ἁγιάσῃ2×
- ἡγίασεν1×
- ἡγιάσθητε1×
- ἡγιάσθη1×
- ἡγιασμένον1×
- ἡγιασμένη1×
- ἁγίασον1×
- ἁγιάσατε1×
Key Verses
-
John 17:17
Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.
Jesus links sanctification directly to the truth of God's word, showing that spiritual growth comes through engagement with Scripture.
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Hebrews 10:10
by which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
This verse grounds our sanctification in Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice, emphasizing that our set-apart status is secured by His work, not our own effort.
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John 10:36
do you say of him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You blaspheme,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?
Jesus refers to His own consecration by the Father before being sent into the world, highlighting the divine appointment inherent in the concept of sanctification.