קָדַשׁ
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
Definition
The verb קָדַשׁ (qâdash) fundamentally means 'to be holy' or 'to set apart as holy.' It describes the state of being consecrated, dedicated, or separated for God's purposes, encompassing both ceremonial purity and moral integrity. In its causative (Piel) stem, it often means 'to sanctify,' 'to consecrate,' or 'to declare holy,' as seen when God sanctifies the Sabbath (Genesis 2:3) or commands Israel to sanctify themselves before meeting Him at Sinai (Exodus 19:10, 22). The concept applies to people, places, times, and objects, marking them as belonging to the divine realm.
Biblical Usage
קָדַשׁ is used extensively throughout the Old Testament, especially in the Pentateuch (e.g., Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus) and the Prophets. It appears in contexts of ritual preparation (Exodus 19:14), the consecration of priests and offerings (Exodus 13:2), the observance of holy times like the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8), and the moral call for God's people to be holy as He is holy (Leviticus 11:44). A key pattern is its use in establishing boundaries between the common and the sacred, defining what is set apart for Yahweh's service and presence.
Etymology
קָדַשׁ is a primitive root, meaning its origin is not derived from another Hebrew verb. Its core idea relates to separation or being set apart. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, such as Ugaritic and Akkadian, with similar meanings of holiness or consecration. The root gives rise to important nouns like קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh, H6944, 'holiness') and adjectives like קָדוֹשׁ (qadosh, H6918, 'holy'), forming the foundational lexical field for holiness in the Hebrew Bible.
Semantic Range
This word is central to the biblical concept of holiness, a defining attribute of God (Isaiah 6:3) and a fundamental requirement for His people (Leviticus 20:26). It underpins doctrines of sanctification, worship, and God's covenant relationship. Understanding קָדַשׁ enriches Bible reading by revealing that holiness is not merely ritual purity but a comprehensive state of being set apart—by God and for God—affecting every aspect of life, community, and worship.
In ancient Israelite culture, holiness was a tangible, structured reality. To sanctify something (using קָדַשׁ) meant physically and ritually removing it from ordinary use and dedicating it to Yahweh. This differed from a modern, often purely ethical or spiritual, understanding. Holiness involved visible rites, cleanliness laws, and spatial boundaries (e.g., the tabernacle's holy places). It was a communal identity marker, setting Israel apart from other nations as God's treasured possession (Exodus 19:5-6).
טָהֵר (taher, H2891) — focuses on ritual or physical cleansing/purity, often a prerequisite for being sanctified. בָּחַר (bachar, H977) — means 'to choose' or 'elect,' highlighting God's sovereign selection, which is closely related to setting apart. הִבְדִּיל (hibdil, H914) — means 'to separate' or 'divide,' describing the act of distinction that underlies the state of holiness.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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