Separated for God.

Holy is a word that means separated for God's purposes. The original Hebrew and Greek words both have this meaning, and they are sometimes translated 'sanctified' which has the same meaning as holy. A 'saint' (q.v.) from the same root word, is a man or woman 'set apart', 'sanctified' for the service of God.

In the Old Testament we read that everything connected with the worship of Israel in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple was holy or sanctified, and could only be used for worship of God in the prescribed way by the priests. During the year, Israel took part in meetings that were 'holy', such as the Passover (see Exodus 12:16), and for which they prepared themselves by washing (see Exodus 19:10,14).

"Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.'" (Leviticus 19:2).

Christians also meet regularly to profess their faith, having been made holy or sanctified through Jesus Christ, by the word of God, and the blood of his sacrifice.

"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God?…And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." (Hebrews 10:19-22).

(See also SANCTUARY - a holy place).

Hades
Hallelujah
Heart
Heathen
Heaven
  1. the Sky
  2. God's Home
  Heavens and Earth
  The "third heaven"
Hebrews
  1. The People
  2. The Language
  3. The Letter
Hell
Heresy, Heretic
Holy
Holy Land
Holy Spirit
  1. Holy Spirit in creation
  2. Holy Spirit inspires God's word
  3. Jesus was born by the power of the Holy Spirit
  4. Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit
  5. The Holy Spirit given to the apostles
  6. The Holy Spirit with the church
Hope
House
  1. A building in which people live
  2. A 'household' or family living together
  3. The dwelling of the believer