In the Bible, the word “holy” is used to describe who God is. God is holy from both a transcendental perspective and an ethical one. When we say that God is holy, we mean that He is beyond us, He is not contained by time and space as we are. From that perspective His holiness is transcendental. When we say that God is holy, we also mean that He is sinless. So when we speak of holiness, we think of being set apart and/or being sinless. But the word “holy” can also refer to things or people that God sets apart for a certain purpose.
The Pentateuch
The first time the word holy appears in the Bible is in the creation account when God sets apart the seventh day and classifies it as “holy.” So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation (Genesis 2:3). Unlike the godless, pagan nations around Israel who sanctify spaces, God sanctifies time. This idea is repeated in the fourth commandment when God commands the Israelites to “remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8-11). In the book of Exodus, the adjective holy also refers to a ground (3:5), an assembly (12:16), the Sabbath day (16:23), the nation of Israel (19:6), the tabernacle (26:33-34, 28:29, 35, 43), priestly garments (28:2, 4; 29:21, 29), an engraved plate (28:36), a crown (29:6), a place of sacrifice (29:31), consecrated food (29:33-34), and the altar (29:37). In Leviticus it’s used to distinguish between the sacred and the profane. Offerings are classified as holy (2:3, 10; 6:17; 10:12), the tabernacle is called a holy place (6:16), and the adjective is also used of the priestly crown (8:9). But most importantly, the Bible describes God as holy. “I am holy,” is God’s description of Himself (Lev 11:44-45). God’s holiness is both transcendental and ethical. He is totally separated from us because He is not bound and limited by time and space. Ethically, God is sinless.
The Historical Books
The word holy appears for the first time in the historical books to refer to the ground when Joshua is commanded by the commander of the LORD’s army, “Take off your sandals…for the place where you are standing is holy” (Joshua 5:15). In Joshua, things dedicated to the LORD are considered holy (6:19), and at the end of the book the word is used to describe Yahweh who is a “holy God. He is a jealous God” (24:19). In Samuel, God is described as holy (1 Sam 2:2; 6:20), and so are the vessels and bread used in the tabernacle (1 Sam 21:4-6).
In Kings and Chronicles, the word holy is used:
- of the tabernacle or the Temple (1 Kgs 6:16; 7:50; 8:6, 8, 10; 2 Kings 12:4; 1 Chronicles 6:49; 29:3; 2 Chronicles 3:8, 10; 4:22; 5:7, 9, 11; 8:11; 29:5, 7; 30:27),
- of the vessels in Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 8:4; 1 Chronicles 9:29; 22:19; 23:13, 28; 2 Chronicles 5:5),
- of Elisha (2 Kgs 4:9),
- of priests (2 Chronicles 23:6), of Yahweh (2 Kgs 19:22),
- His name (1 Chronicles 16:10, 35; 29:16), and
- His heavenly habitation (2 Chronicles 30:27).
In Ezra/Nehemiah, the word is used:
- to describe the priests and the vessels that are to be used once the Temple is rebuilt (Ezra 8:28; Nehemiah 10:33),
- of the nation of Israel (9:2),
- of the Temple (9:8),
- of the day when the Law is read to the people (Nehemiah 8:9-11),
- of the Sabbath or a feast day (Nehemiah 9:14; 10:31, 33; 13:22), and
- of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 11:1, 18).
The Poetic Books
When the Israelites sang songs of praise they exalted God as holy (Psalm 77:13; 99:9). Because the temple is holy (Psalm 5:7; 11:4; 24:3; 28:2; 46:4; 68:5; 79:1; 134:2; 138:2), so is Mount Zion, the place where the temple is built (Psalm 2:6; 3:4; 15:1; 43:3). Yahweh and His name are holy (Psalm 22:3; 30:4; 33:21; 71:22; 78:41; 89:18; 97:12; 99:3, 5, 9; 103:1; 106:47; 111:9; 145:21), and so is His Messiah (Psalm 16:10), His Spirit (Psalm 51:11), His heavenly abode (Psalm 20:6; 24:3; 46:4; 68:5), and His throne (Psalm 47:8).
The Prophets
The prophet Isaiah calls Yahweh “The Holy One of Israel,” (1:4; 5:19, 24; 10:20; 12:6; 17:7; 29:19; 30:11-12; 31:1; 37:23; 41:14, 16, 20; 43:3, 14; 45:11; 47:4; 48:17; 49:7; 54:5; 55:5; 60:9, 14). Yahweh is holy (5:16; 6:3; 8:13; 10:17; 29:23), and so is Jerusalem, the place where the temple is (4:3; 11:9; 27:13; 48:2; 52:1; 56:7; 57:13, 15; 64:10; 65:11). The term “Holy Spirit” appears twice in Isaiah (63:10-11).
The New Testament
The New Testament continues the idea that God is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16). The word holy is used to describe the second person of the Trinity; subsequently the term “Holy Spirit” appears 89 times. The word holy is also used to describe Jesus the Messiah (Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34; John 6:69, Acts 2:27; 4:27; 13:35). The followers of Jesus Christ are called Christians but they are also called holy. Because of Jesus’ death and physical resurrection, His followers can be holy. Therefore, they are called saints (Acts 9:13, 32, 41; Heb. 3:1; 6:10; 13:24; Rev. 5:8; 8:3-4; 11:18; 13:7, 10; 14:12; 16:6; 18:20, 24; 19:8; 20:9; 22:21). Christians are holy because of what Christ has accomplished on the cross (positional holiness), but they are also called to be holy (de facto or progressive holiness) (1 Cor. 7:34; Eph. 1:4; 5:27; 1 Peter 1:15-16). — By Tiberius Rata
Tiberius Rata is assistant dean of the School of Ministry Studies at Grace College and Theological Seminary, where he also serves as professor of Old Testament Studies. He focuses on instilling in his students a love for God and His inerrant Word.
This article first appeared in the Spring 2016 GraceConnect magazine, the quarterly publication for leaders and members of Grace Brethren churches in North America. View the complete magazine online here or at issuu. To receive a free subscription, mailed directly to your home, click here.