Lexical Summary
qadosh: Holy, sacred, set apart
Original Word:קָדוֹשׁ
Part of Speech:Adjective
Transliteration:qadowsh
Pronunciation:kah-DOSH
Phonetic Spelling:(kaw-doshe')
KJV: holy (One), saint
NASB:holy, Holy One, holy ones, saints, consecrated
Word Origin:[fromH6942 (קָדַשׁ - consecrate)]
1. sacred (ceremonially or morally)
2. (as noun) God
3. (by eminence) an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
holy One, saint
Or qadosh {kaw-doshe'}; fromqadash; sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary -- holy (One), saint.
see HEBREWqadash
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom the same as
qodeshDefinitionsacred, holy
NASB Translationconsecrated (1), Holy (8), holy (50), Holy One (44), holy one (3), holy ones (6), one is holy (1), saints (2).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
; — absolute
Exodus 19:6 +;
Exodus 29:31 +; construct
Isaiah 1:4 +;
Isaiah 49:7 2t.; suffix
Habakkuk 1:12;
Isaiah 10:17;
Isaiah 49:7Isaiah 43:15; plural
Hosea 12:1 2t.,
Leviticus 11:44 16t.; suffix
Deuteronomy 33:3;
Psalm 34:10,
Job 15:15; —
sacred, holy:
Isaiah 6:3 (3 t. in verse),Psalm 22:4 heavenly throneIsaiah 57:15; in victoryIsaiah 5:16;1 Samuel 2:2;Psalm 99:3 ("" ),Psalm 99:5;Psalm 99:9;Psalm 111:9.
Joshua 24:19 (E),1 Samuel 6:20;Habakkuk 1:12;Leviticus 11:44,45;Leviticus 19:2;Leviticus 20:26;Leviticus 21:8 (H);Hosea 11:9;Ezekiel 39:7.
= divine name (originating fromtrisagion,Isaiah 6:3)Isaiah 1:4;Isaiah 5:19,24;Isaiah 10:20;Isaiah 12:6;Isaiah 17:7;Isaiah 29:19;Isaiah 30:11,12,15;Isaiah 31:1; Is :2;Isaiah 41:14,16,20;Isaiah 43:3,14;Isaiah 45:11;Isaiah 47:4;Isaiah 48:17;Isaiah 49:7;Isaiah 54:5;Isaiah 55:5;Isaiah 60:9,14 elsewhere only2 Kings 19:22 =Isaiah 37:23;Jeremiah 50:29;Jeremiah 51:5;Psalm 71:22;Psalm 78:41;Psalm 89:19;Isaiah 29:23,Isaiah 10:17;Isaiah 49:7,Isaiah 43:15;Isaiah 40:25;Habakkuk 3:3;Job 6:10, plural intensive ()Hosea 12:1;Proverbs 9:10;Proverbs 30:3.
of place,sacred, holy, chambers of priestsEzekiel 42:13, camp of IsraelDeuteronomy 23:15, + of heavenIsaiah 57:15 (but of Du Ry, and [readingas holy, essent.] Klo Che Marti); in following (often defective) pointing dubious, read probably
() of the court of tabernacle,Exodus 29:31;Leviticus 6:9;Leviticus 6:19;Leviticus 6:20;Leviticus 7:6;Leviticus 10:13;Leviticus 16:24;Leviticus 24:9 (P), of JerusalemEcclesiastes 8:10;Psalm 46:5;Psalm 65:5.
Leviticus 21:7,8;Numbers 16:5,7 (P), AaronPsalm 106:16, Levites 2Chronicles 35:3, prophet2 Kings 4:9, NaziriteNumbers 6:5,8 (P), IsraelExodus 19:6 (E),Deuteronomy 7:6;Deuteronomy 14:2,21;Deuteronomy 26:19;Deuteronomy 28:9;Numbers 16:3 (P); remnant in JerusalemIsaiah 4:3;sacredLeviticus 11:44,45;Leviticus 19:2;Leviticus 20:7,26;Leviticus 21:6;Numbers 15:40;sacred ones, saintsDeuteronomy 33:3 (song),Psalm 16:3;Psalm 34:10;Daniel 8:24.
,Psalm 89:6;Psalm 89:8;Job 5:1;Job 15:15;Zechariah 14:5;Daniel 8:13 (twice in verse).
Numbers 5:17holy water.
()Nehemiah 8:9,10,11;Isaiah 58:13, of Sabbath. — (compare Biblical Aramaic ).
(√ of following; Syriac; see Biblical Hebrewid., ).
Topical Lexicon
Divine Holiness: The Character of Yahweh“Holy” (קָדוֹשׁ) first and foremost describes the very essence of God. His holiness is unrivaled (Exodus 15:11), awe-inspiring (Psalm 99:3), morally flawless (Habakkuk 1:13) and eternally constant (Isaiah 57:15). The thrice-repeated acclamation of the seraphim—“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts” (Isaiah 6:3)—underscores the idea that no attribute of God is more defining than His holiness. This holiness radiates moral perfection and utter set-apartness, demanding reverence from all creation (Psalm 22:3; 99:9).
“Holy One of Israel”: A Covenant Title
Isaiah employs קָדוֹשׁ as a divine title some 25 times. The phrase “the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 1:4; 41:14; 43:3, etc.) binds together God’s transcendent purity with His covenantal faithfulness. Israel cannot treat God’s holiness lightly without jeopardizing the covenant (Isaiah 5:24). Yet that same holiness becomes the source of redemption (Isaiah 54:5).
Holiness and the Sanctuary
Objects, furnishings and spaces associated with worship are frequently labeled קָדוֹשׁ:
• The ground at the burning bush (Exodus 3:5).
• The altar and priestly garments (Exodus 28:2).
• The Most Holy Place (Leviticus 16:2).
The repeated sanctification rituals in Leviticus reveal that proximity to God’s holiness demands cleansing and atonement. The Day of Atonement climaxes with the high priest entering “the Most Holy Place” (קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים), illustrating that sinners need mediation to approach the Holy One.
Holy Time and Holy Space
Sabbaths and festivals are called “holy convocations” (Leviticus 23:2), indicating that holiness marks not only persons and objects but also time itself. Israel’s calendar centers on holy rhythms that shape national memory and worship.
Holiness and the People of God
Israel is summoned to mirror God’s holiness: “You are to be holy to Me, because I, the LORD, am holy” (Leviticus 20:26). The foundational statement ofExodus 19:6—“You shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation”—is echoed inDeuteronomy 7:6; 14:2; 26:19; 28:9. Holiness for the covenant community involves moral distinction (Leviticus 11:44), social justice (Isaiah 1:16-17) and wholehearted devotion (Joshua 24:19).
Prophetic Calls to Holiness
The prophets indict Israel for profaning the holy name (Ezekiel 36:20-23) and envision a restored holiness that floods the earth (Zechariah 14:20-21). In Hosea, God’s holiness explains both judgment and steadfast love (Hosea 11:9).
The Messiah and Holiness
Psalm 16:10 foretells that God’s “Holy One” will not see decay, preparing the way for New Testament application to Jesus’ resurrection (Acts 2:27).Isaiah 4:2-3 and 11:1-5 portray a Branch whose reign will establish righteousness and holiness among God’s people.
Eschatological and Angelic Usage
“Holy ones” (קְדוֹשִׁים) sometimes designates heavenly beings (Deuteronomy 33:2;Job 5:1;Psalm 89:5;Daniel 4:13). In apocalyptic passages they participate in divine councils and carry out God’s decrees, reinforcing the cosmic scope of holiness.
New Testament Echoes
The Septuagint renders קָדוֹשׁ as ἅγιος, a term that saturates the New Testament. Peter directly quotes Leviticus: “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). Believers are now called “saints” (ἅγιοι), reflecting their new identity in Christ (Romans 1:7) and fulfilling the Old Testament vision of a holy people.
Practical Ministry Implications
1. Worship centers on God’s holiness; reverence and repentance remain indispensable (Hebrews 12:28-29).
2. Pastoral ministry calls believers to pursue practical holiness in every sphere (2 Corinthians 7:1).
3. Holiness fuels mission: the nations must see the “beauty of holiness” (2 Chronicles 20:21) displayed in the church.
4. Spiritual formation involves separation from sin and consecration to God’s purposes (Romans 12:1).
Key Occurrences (Representative Sample)
Exodus 3:5; 15:11
Leviticus 11:44; 19:2; 20:26
Deuteronomy 7:6; 14:2; 26:19; 28:9
Joshua 24:19
1 Samuel 2:2
2 Kings 19:22
Psalm 22:3; 71:22; 99:3, 5, 9
Proverbs 9:10; 30:3
Isaiah 6:3; 12:6; 30:11-15; 40:25; 57:15
Jeremiah 50:29
Ezekiel 36:20-23
Daniel 4:13; 8:13
Hosea 11:9
Habakkuk 1:12-13
Zechariah 14:20-21
Forms and Transliterations
בִּקְד֥וֹשׁ בִּ֭קְדֹשָׁיו בקדוש בקדשיו הַקְּדוֹשִׁ֣ים הַקָּד֑וֹשׁ הַקָּד֔וֹשׁ הַקָּד֖וֹשׁ הקדוש הקדושים וְלִקְד֖וֹשׁ וְלִקְד֥וֹשׁ וְקָד֖וֹשׁ וְקָד֣וֹשׁ וְקָד֥וֹשׁ וּקְד֖וֹשׁ וּקְד֥וֹשׁ וּקְדוֹשׁ֖וֹ ולקדוש וקדוש וקדושו לִ֭קְדוֹשִׁים לִקְד֤וֹשׁ לקדוש לקדושים מִקְּד֖וֹשׁ מִקְּדֹשִׁ֣ים מקדוש מקדשים קְ֝ד֗וֹשׁ קְ֝דֹ֗שׁ קְד֖וֹשׁ קְד֣וֹשׁ קְד֥וֹשׁ קְדֹ֥שׁ קְדֹשִֽׁים׃ קְדֹשִׁ֑ים קְדֹשִׁ֔ים קְדֹשִׁ֖י קְדֹשִׁ֖ים קְדֹשִׁ֣ים קְדֹשִׁ֤ים קְדֹשָׁ֑יו קְדֹשָׁ֖יו קְדֽוֹשְׁכֶ֑ם קְדֽוֹשׁ־ קְדוֹשִׁ֖ים קְדוֹשׁ֗וֹ קָ֝ד֗וֹשׁ קָד֑וֹשׁ קָד֔וֹשׁ קָד֖וֹשׁ קָד֛וֹשׁ קָד֜וֹשׁ קָד֣וֹשׁ קָד֥וֹשׁ קָד֧וֹשׁ ׀ קָדְשֵׁ֣י קָדְשֵׁ֧י קָדֹ֑שׁ קָדֹ֔שׁ קָדֹ֛שׁ קָדֹ֣שׁ קָדֹ֥שׁ קָדֹֽשׁ־ קָדֹֽשׁ׃ קָדֹשׁ֙ קָדֽוֹשׁ׃ קָדוֹשׁ֙ קדוש קדוש־ קדוש׃ קדושו קדושים קדושכם קדש קדש־ קדש׃ קדשי קדשיו קדשים קדשים׃ bikDoosh Bikdoshav biq·ḏō·šāw biq·ḏō·wōš biqḏōšāw biqḏōwōš hakkaDoosh hakkedoShim haq·qā·ḏō·wōš haq·qə·ḏō·wō·šîm haqqāḏōwōš haqqəḏōwōšîm kadeShei kaDoosh kaDosh kadoVosh keDoosh keDosh kedoShav kedosheChem kedoShi kedoShim kedoSho likDoosh Likdoshim liq·ḏō·wō·šîm liq·ḏō·wōš liqḏōwōš liqḏōwōšîm mikkeDoosh mikkedoShim miq·qə·ḏō·šîm miq·qə·ḏō·wōš miqqəḏōšîm miqqəḏōwōš qā·ḏə·šê qā·ḏō·wōš qā·ḏōš qā·ḏōš- qāḏəšê qāḏōš qāḏōš- qāḏōwōš qə·ḏō·šāw qə·ḏō·šî qə·ḏō·šîm qə·ḏō·wō·šə·ḵem qə·ḏō·wō·šîm qə·ḏō·wō·šōw qə·ḏō·wōš qə·ḏō·wōš- qə·ḏōš qəḏōš qəḏōšāw qəḏōšî qəḏōšîm qəḏōwōš qəḏōwōš- qəḏōwōšəḵem qəḏōwōšîm qəḏōwōšōw ū·qə·ḏō·wō·šōw ū·qə·ḏō·wōš ukeDoosh ukedoSho ūqəḏōwōš ūqəḏōwōšōw vekaDoosh velikDoosh wə·liq·ḏō·wōš wə·qā·ḏō·wōš wəliqḏōwōš wəqāḏōwōš
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