קדוש
Kadosh is found 523 times in the Bible, 425 times in the Hebrew Scriptures. Kedusha comes from kadosh and means ‘holiness’ and expresses the holiness of God. In Judaism, the Kedusha is a prayer/song that describes the holiness of God that comes from Isaiah 6:3.
Kadosh is the Hebrew word for ‘holy’ and means ‘dedicated or set apart for a specific purpose’. Those who are kadosh are called ‘holy ones’ or kadoshim.
“You are to be holy because I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44-45, 19:2, 20:7; 1 Peter 1:16).
Holiness comes through striving for personal sanctification, the removal of everything that contaminates body and spirit. Holiness sets us apart from the world for the glory and purpose of God. It is exemplified in the bronze laver in the Tabernacle where the priests cleansed themselves before entering the Holy Place.
Queen Esther of Persia, though the wife of the King, had to approach her husband King in a holy manner. If she did not, she would profane her husband’s name in his kingdom and bring him disgrace. Though we can go boldly to the throne of grace (favor), there is still protocol for meeting with a King, especially the King of kings.
A walk of holiness embraces the commands of Adonai from both testaments. The Hebrew Scriptures outline the sanctification of the body; the gospels and letters outline the sanctification of the spirit. Both are necessary; both are essential to become kadoshim in this world and the world to come.
“Who may go up to the mountain of Adonai? Who can stand in his holy place? THOSE WITH CLEAN HANDS AND PURE HEARTS” (Psalm 24:3-4).
“In your love, you led the people you redeemed; in your strength, you guided them to your holy abode” (Exodus 15:13).
“He truly loves the peoples — all his holy ones are in your hand; sitting at your feet, they receive your instruction, the Torah Moshe commanded us as an inheritance for the community of Ya‘akov” (Deuteronomy 33:3-4).
“Adonai is in his holy temple. Adonai, his throne is in heaven. His eyes see and test humankind” (Psalm 11:4).
“Fear Adonai, you holy ones of his, for those who fear him lack nothing” (Psalm 34:10).
“The fear of Adonai is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of holy ones is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).
“I am Adonai, your Holy One, the Creator of Isra’el, your King” (Isaiah 43:15).
“But the holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, yes, forever and ever'” (Daniel 7:18).
Hebrew Word Pictures
ק Kof – Back of the Head and means ‘what is behind.’
ד Dalet – A Door and means ‘pathway.’
ש Shin – A Tooth and means ‘consume.’
The Hebrew Word Picture for kadosh: what is behind the pathway consumes.
The Greek word hagiasmos means ‘to separate from sin and be consecrated to God.’ Men are called to sanctify themselves through their calling, cleansing themselves from all defilement, forsaking sin, and living a holy manner of life.
“Set them apart for holiness by means of the truth – your word is truth” (John 17:17) Complete Jewish Bible
“To the Messianic Community in Corinth, consisting of those who have been set apart by (made holy by) Yeshua the Messiah and called to be God’s holy people (saints) ….” (1 Corinthians 1:2).
“Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God” (2 Corinthians 7:1).
“May the God of shalom make you completely holy (set apart) – may your entire spirit, soul and body be kept blameless for the coming of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
“On the contrary, following the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in your entire way of life; since the Tanakh says, “You are to be holy because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15).
©2011 Tentstake Ministries Publishing, all rights reserved. No copying or reproducing of this article without crediting the author or Tentstake Ministries Publishing.