Consecration
קָדַשׁ (Qadash)
Setting apart something or someone as dedicated entirely to God
Consecration (qadash, meaning 'to set apart as holy') is the act of dedicating something — a person, place, or object — exclusively to God's service. It is the human response to God's call to holiness.
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." — Romans 12:1 (KJV)
Key Verses
Romans 12:1
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”Read in context
Exodus 13:2
“Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.”Read in context
2 Timothy 2:21
“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.”Read in context
The Meaning of Qadash
The Hebrew 'qadash' means 'to set apart, dedicate, or make holy.' It shares the same root as 'qadosh' (holy). To consecrate something is to take it from common use and dedicate it exclusively to God. In the Old Testament, the tabernacle was consecrated, the priests were consecrated, the firstborn were consecrated, and even specific days were consecrated. Whatever was consecrated belonged to God and could not be used for ordinary purposes.
Consecration of People
The priests of Israel underwent elaborate consecration ceremonies (Exodus 29): washing with water (purification), clothing in sacred garments (new identity), and anointing with oil (empowerment). The Nazirite vow (Numbers 6) was a voluntary consecration — abstaining from wine, avoiding the dead, and leaving hair uncut as visible signs of dedication to God. Samuel was consecrated to God's service from birth by his mother Hannah.
New Testament Consecration
In the New Testament, consecration moves from external rituals to heart transformation. Romans 12:1 calls believers to present their bodies as 'a living sacrifice' — not dead animals on an altar but living people dedicated entirely to God's purposes. This is not occasional devotion but total life-consecration: every thought, word, action, relationship, ambition, and resource surrendered to God's use.
The Cost and Reward
Consecration always involves giving up something — the right to self-direction, certain pleasures, personal ambitions. But what is given up pales before what is gained: intimacy with God, fruitfulness in service, and the joy of living according to one's created purpose. As Jim Elliot wrote, 'He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.' Consecration is not loss but investment in the only things that last.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is consecration the same as sanctification?
They are closely related but have slightly different emphases. Consecration emphasizes the human act of dedicating something to God (setting it apart). Sanctification emphasizes God's act of making something holy (transforming it). In practice, they work together: we consecrate ourselves to God, and He sanctifies us through His Spirit.
How do I consecrate my life to God?
Consecration begins with a deliberate decision to yield your life entirely to God — your time, talents, resources, relationships, and future. It continues through daily choices to obey, to prioritize God's will over your own, and to present every area of life as an offering. Prayer, fasting, and worship are traditional practices that deepen consecration.
Can objects still be consecrated?
While the Old Testament consecrated physical objects (altars, vessels, buildings), the New Testament emphasis is on the consecration of people. However, many churches dedicate buildings, Bibles, and other items to God's service. The principle remains: anything set apart for God's exclusive use is consecrated.
What is the Hebrew word for "Consecration" in the Bible?
קָדַשׁ (Qadash), pronounced "kah-DAHSH." It means setting apart something or someone as dedicated entirely to god. It is the word behind "Consecration" in both Testaments, for example in Romans 12:1.
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