Quick Answer: How to Say Holy in Hebrew
Holy in Hebrew is:
Meaning: Holy, sacred, set apart
How to Pronounce Kadosh
The Hebrew word קָדוֹשׁ (kadosh) is pronounced kah-DOHSH.
Pronunciation Breakdown
- קָדוֹ (kado) - Sounds like "kah-doh" (the "a" as in "father", the "o" as in "go")
- שׁ (sh) - Sounds like "SH" (the "sh" as in "shoe", emphasis on this syllable)
Stress: The emphasis is on the final syllable: kah-DOHSH
Practice Saying Kadosh
Try saying it slowly: kah (pause) DOHSH
Then say it faster: kah-DOHSH
Tip: The word has two syllables. The "sh" sound is like the beginning of "shoe" or "ship."
What Does Kadosh Mean?
The Hebrew word קָדוֹשׁ (kadosh) is translated as "holy," but its meaning is more specific than the English word. Kadosh encompasses:
✨ Holy
Set apart, consecrated, dedicated to God
🏛️ Sacred
Belonging to the divine realm, not the common
🔒 Set Apart
Separated from the ordinary and dedicated to God
🙏 Consecrated
Made holy, dedicated for sacred use
Key Insight: Kadosh comes from the root ק.ד.שׁ (q.d.sh), which means "to be set apart, to be consecrated, to be holy." The fundamental meaning of kadosh is separation - something that is kadosh is separated from the common, ordinary, or profane and dedicated to God. Holiness in Hebrew is not primarily about moral purity (though that's included), but about being set apart for God's purposes. God is kadosh because He is completely separate from creation and sin.
How to Use Kadosh
Kadosh appears throughout the Hebrew Bible in various contexts. Here's how it's used:
1. God is Holy
Kadosh is most often used to describe God's holiness:
Isaiah 6:3:
קָדוֹשׁ קָדוֹשׁ קָדוֹשׁ יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת
Kadosh kadosh kadosh Adonai Tzevaot
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts"
The threefold repetition of "kadosh" emphasizes God's absolute holiness - He is completely set apart from all creation.
2. Holy Places and Things
Kadosh describes things set apart for God:
Exodus 3:5:
כִּי הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה עוֹמֵד עָלָיו אַדְמַת קֹדֶשׁ הוּא
Ki hamakom asher atah omed alav admot kodesh hu
"For the place on which you are standing is holy ground"
The ground where Moses stood was kadosh (holy) because God's presence was there - it was set apart from ordinary ground.
3. Holy People
Kadosh describes people set apart for God:
Leviticus 19:2:
קְדֹשִׁים תִּהְיוּ כִּי קָדוֹשׁ אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם
Kedoshim tihyu ki kadosh ani Adonai Eloheichem
"You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy"
God calls His people to be kadosh (holy) - set apart for Him, just as He is set apart.
Biblical Significance of Kadosh
Kadosh is central to understanding God's nature and our calling as His people. Here are key biblical concepts involving kadosh:
Isaiah 6:3 - Holy, Holy, Holy
קָדוֹשׁ קָדוֹשׁ קָדוֹשׁ יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת מְלֹא כָל הָאָרֶץ כְּבוֹדוֹ
Kadosh kadosh kadosh Adonai Tzevaot melo kol ha'aretz kevodo
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!"
The threefold repetition of "kadosh" (holy) is the only attribute of God repeated three times in Scripture, emphasizing His absolute holiness. This is quoted in Revelation 4:8, showing the connection between Hebrew kadosh and the New Testament understanding of God's holiness.
Leviticus 19:2 - Be Holy
קְדֹשִׁים תִּהְיוּ כִּי קָדוֹשׁ אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם
Kedoshim tihyu ki kadosh ani Adonai Eloheichem
"You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy"
God calls His people to be kadosh (holy) - set apart for Him. This is not just about moral purity, but about being separated from the world and dedicated to God's purposes. This verse is quoted in 1 Peter 1:16.
Exodus 3:5 - Holy Ground
אַל תִּקְרַב הֲלֹם שַׁל נְעָלֶיךָ מֵעַל רַגְלֶיךָ כִּי הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה עוֹמֵד עָלָיו אַדְמַת קֹדֶשׁ הוּא
Al tikrav halom shal ne'alecha me'al raglecha ki hamakom asher atah omed alav admot kodesh hu
"Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground"
The ground became kadosh (holy) because God's presence was there. This shows that holiness is not inherent in things, but comes from God's presence setting them apart.
Practical Tips for Understanding Kadosh
How to Study
- Practice pronunciation: Say "kah-DOHSH" slowly, emphasizing the final syllable
- Understand the root meaning: Remember that kadosh means "set apart" - separation is key
- Read Isaiah 6:3: See the threefold repetition emphasizing God's absolute holiness
- Study Leviticus 19:2: Understand God's call for His people to be holy
- Compare with New Testament: Notice how kadosh relates to the Greek word "hagios" (holy) in the New Testament
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