קָדוֹשׁ קָדוֹשׁ קָדוֹשׁ
Kadosh Kadosh Kadosh
“Holy, Holy, Holy”
Kadosh Kadosh Kadosh (קָדוֹשׁ קָדוֹשׁ קָדוֹשׁ) is a Hebrew phrase meaning “holy, holy, holy,” pronounced “ka-DOSH ka-DOSH ka-DOSH.” The literal translation is “holy, holy, holy.” The angelic proclamation from Isaiah 6:3, declaring God's holiness three times. Central to both Jewish and Christian worship liturgy.
| Hebrew | קָדוֹשׁ קָדוֹשׁ קָדוֹשׁ |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Kadosh Kadosh Kadosh |
| English Meaning | Holy, Holy, Holy |
| Literal Translation | Holy, Holy, Holy |
| Pronunciation | ka-DOSH ka-DOSH ka-DOSH |
| Category | Prayers & Worship |
| Origin | Biblical — Isaiah 6:3. The prophet Isaiah receives this vision 'in the year that King Uzziah died' (circa 740 BCE). The threefold declaration also appears in Revelation 4:8 in the Christian New Testament. |
| Scripture Reference | Isaiah 6:3 |
When the prophet Isaiah was granted a vision of God's heavenly throne room, what he heard shook the Temple to its foundations: the seraphim crying 'Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh Adonai Tz'vaot' — 'Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD of Hosts.' The triple repetition is the Hebrew superlative — the way the language expresses the ultimate degree of something. God is not merely holy; He is holy to the highest possible power. The word kadosh itself means 'set apart, separate, other' — it describes God's utter distinctness from creation. This proclamation entered both Jewish liturgy (the Kedushah prayer, recited three times daily) and Christian worship (the Sanctus of the Mass), making it one of the most continuously recited phrases in human religious history.
Scripture Reference: Isaiah 6:3
“And they were calling to one another: 'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.'”
Where Does “Kadosh Kadosh Kadosh” Come From?
Biblical — Isaiah 6:3. The prophet Isaiah receives this vision 'in the year that King Uzziah died' (circa 740 BCE). The threefold declaration also appears in Revelation 4:8 in the Christian New Testament.
When and How to Say “Kadosh Kadosh Kadosh”
Recited in the Kedushah section of the Amidah prayer three times daily in Jewish worship. In Christian liturgy, it forms the Sanctus — 'Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts.' The congregation rises on their toes three times during the Kedushah, symbolically reaching upward with each 'Kadosh.'
Cultural Context of Kadosh Kadosh Kadosh
During the Kedushah prayer in synagogue, worshippers rise on their toes three times — once for each 'Kadosh' — symbolically lifting themselves toward heaven as the angels do. It's one of the most dramatic moments in Jewish daily prayer, and the entire congregation participates in mimicking the angelic chorus.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say “Holy, Holy, Holy” in Hebrew?
“Holy, Holy, Holy” in Hebrew is Kadosh Kadosh Kadosh (קָדוֹשׁ קָדוֹשׁ קָדוֹשׁ), pronounced “ka-DOSH ka-DOSH ka-DOSH.” The literal translation is “Holy, Holy, Holy.” The angelic proclamation from Isaiah 6:3, declaring God's holiness three times. Central to both Jewish and Christian worship liturgy.
How do you pronounce Kadosh Kadosh Kadosh?
Kadosh Kadosh Kadosh is pronounced “ka-DOSH ka-DOSH ka-DOSH.” The literal meaning is “Holy, Holy, Holy.”
Why is holy repeated three times?
In Hebrew, repeating a word three times is the ultimate superlative — the language's way of expressing the highest possible degree. 'Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh' means 'the holiest possible' or 'infinitely holy.' Some theological traditions also see a reflection of the Trinity (Christian) or three aspects of divine holiness (Jewish).
What does kadosh mean?
Kadosh means 'holy' but in the sense of 'set apart' or 'utterly other.' It doesn't primarily mean morally pure (though that's included); it describes God's radical separateness from everything created. When something is kadosh, it's been designated as belonging to a different category entirely — the realm of the divine.
What is the Kedushah prayer?
The Kedushah (from kadosh, holy) is a prayer recited during the repetition of the Amidah, three times daily. It recreates Isaiah's angelic vision, with the congregation declaring 'Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh' together. Worshippers rise on their toes three times, lifting themselves upward as the angels do in Isaiah's vision.
Sources & Further Study
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