All word studies
Holiness in the Bible
Holy means 'set apart.' God is holy in His transcendence and purity; His people are holy because they belong to Him. The Hebrew qadosh and the Greek hagios share this fundamental idea of being marked off for God's use.
Greek & Hebrew words
Greek (New Testament)
Key KJV verses
All verses →Isaiah 6:3
“Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.”Read in context
Hebrews 12:14
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”Read in context
Qadosh: the God who is other
Qadosh (H6918) is the word seraphim cry in Isaiah 6 — the only attribute of God repeated three times. It speaks of God's transcendent purity and moral perfection.
Hagios: the saints are holy ones
Hagios (G40) is the standard NT word for 'holy.' Paul's letters address the hagioi — the holy ones, or saints — those set apart by union with Christ.
Frequently asked questions
What does holy mean in the Bible?
It means 'set apart' — for God, by God, to God. Holiness includes moral purity but is fundamentally about belonging to God.
What is the Greek word for holy?
Hagios (ἅγιος, Strong's G40).