קָדוֹשׁ (qa.dosh)
qa.dosh
holy
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 92 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew adjective qadosh describes something as sacred or set apart from the common and profane. Its core meaning involves purity, specifically being free from defilement, moral corruption, or idolatry. In Leviticus, this concept is central to the law, where God commands Israel to be holy because He Himself is holy (Leviticus 11:44-45). This establishes a clear standard: holiness is not merely ritual cleanliness but a moral state that reflects God’s own character.
The word carries significant theological weight when applied to God, who is frequently called the "Holy One" in Isaiah and Psalms. It also describes people, places, and objects dedicated to divine service. For instance, the Israelite camp was required to be holy because God walked among them (Deuteronomy 23:14), ensuring that no unclean thing would hinder His presence. Translators typically render qadosh as "holy," though this English term can sometimes feel abstract; the Hebrew concept is more concrete, pointing to a distinct separation from the ordinary world.
Qadosh appears over ninety times in the Old Testament, with notable occurrences in Leviticus, Isaiah, and Psalms. Its usage highlights a consistent biblical theme: holiness involves both ritual purity and ethical integrity. The word bridges the gap between God’s transcendent nature and the call for His people to live differently from their surroundings. This dual focus on moral and ceremonial separation defines the Hebrew understanding of what it means to be set apart for divine purposes.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word qadosh describes what is set apart from the common world for sacred use. It points to a distinct separation from ordinary things and moral defilement. When God calls His people holy, He invites them into a life that reflects His own character. This call is not about being perfect in isolation but about belonging to Him in a way that stands out in daily living.
In Leviticus 19:2, this command is clear: you shall be holy because God is holy. This means your life should carry a quality of purity and integrity that honors Him. It is a practical call to live differently from the surrounding culture, keeping your heart and actions aligned with divine standards. This separation brings peace and purpose as you walk in His presence.
Understanding this word helps us see that holiness is both a gift and a responsibility. God sets us apart not to distance us from Him but to draw us closer. As we seek to live holy lives, we find our true identity in being His people. This journey of separation leads to a deeper relationship with the One who calls us by name.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 92 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- holy27×
- [the] holy [one] of23×
- [is] holy10×
- [am] holy5×
- [the] holy [one]3×
- <the>/ holy3×
- in/ [the] holy [one] of2×
- holy [ones]2×
- holy [one]2×
- and/ to/ [the] holy [one] of2×
- and/ [the] holy [one] of2×
- [the] holy [one<s>]2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קְד֥וֹשׁ13×
- קְד֣וֹשׁ8×
- קָד֖וֹשׁ7×
- קָדוֹשׁ֙5×
- קָד֔וֹשׁ5×
- קָד֥וֹשׁ4×
- קְדֹשִׁ֖ים4×
- קְדֹשִׁ֔ים4×
- קְדֹשִׁ֣ים3×
- קָדֽוֹשׁ\׃2×
- קָדֹ֥שׁ2×
- קָדֹ֑שׁ2×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 19:2
“Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘You shall be holy; for I, Yahweh your God, am holy.
This verse grounds the command to be holy in the very nature of God, showing that our holiness is a reflection of His character.
-
Exodus 19:6
and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
Here the word defines Israel's identity as a kingdom of priests, highlighting their unique role to mediate God's presence to the world.
-
Numbers 6:5
“‘All the days of his vow of separation no razor shall come on his head, until the days are fulfilled in which he separates himself to Yahweh. He shall be holy. He shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow long.
The vow of separation requires letting hair grow long, illustrating that holiness involves tangible, physical acts of dedication to Yahweh.
-
Deuteronomy 7:6
For you are a holy people to Yahweh your God. Yahweh your God has chosen you to be a people for his own possession, above all peoples who are on the face of the earth.
This occurrence links holiness directly to God's choice, emphasizing that being set apart is an act of divine favor rather than human merit.