What Does It Actually Mean to Be Holy?

What Does It Actually Mean to Be Holy?

By ICEJ USA President Dr. Susan Michael

Leviticus 11:44–45 says, “I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. . . For I am the Lord who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.”

This phrasing, “Be holy, for I am holy,” repeats in several other places in the Old Testament—such as Leviticus 19:2; 20:7; 20:26; and Deuteronomy 14:2—so we know it’s important to God. But what does it really mean to be “holy”?

People often misunderstand holiness as something external, rigid, or unattainable, or they think it means moral perfection—the requirement to never make mistakes or struggle with sin. Others think it is all about rule-keeping, being better than others, or even being joyless. Some even think it means isolation from the rest of the world. However, the true meaning of holiness is not found in outward appearances or being perfectly “religious.”

What Does Being “Holy” Mean?

In Hebrew, the word for holy is qadosh (pronounced kah-dosh). It comes from the Hebrew root q-d-sh (קדש), which carries the idea of being set apart, sacred, distinct, or consecrated. Thus, in the context of Scripture, qadosh does not mean morally perfect as we understand it today, but being set apart for God’s purposes, separated from what is common or ordinary, or dedicated (consecrated) to God.

In the Bible, certain objects were considered holy. For example, vessels in the temple, like cups and bowls, were called holy. This didn’t mean one cup was inherently better than another; rather, it was simply a vessel reserved for one specific, divine purpose. Similarly, being a holy person isn’t about being a “better” person, but a person reserved for God’s use.

This “reserved” status was first modeled by God Himself with the Sabbath. Genesis 2:3 says that God made it holy—that is, God separated the seventh day from the other six days and made it different. By calling the children of Israel to observe this same day, God was inviting them to mirror His own distinctness. The Sabbath became the weekly “sign” of their covenant, a tangible way to live a life that looked different from the surrounding nations. Their unique rhythm of rest and worship was designed to stir the curiosity and even the jealousy of the nations, drawing the world’s attention to the God who changes a people.

God also called the children of Israel to be a set-apart, holy nation. They were to live distinct lives, collectively, according to God’s instruction. This peculiar way of living was divinely designed to stir the admiration and even jealousy of the nations who would respond, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people” (Deuteronomy 4:6). Their lives were to be so different from the surrounding nations that it would make God attractive and draw the nations to Himself.

Israel’s holiness did not mean they were a perfect or sinless people; God knew the Israelites were going to fail, so He gave them a sacrificial way to make atonement for their sins. This “safety net” was the Day of Atonement, where once a year, the priest would go before the Lord with sacrifices and offerings on behalf of the people for the forgiveness of sin.

God’s establishment of this feast day proves that holiness and human struggle coexist. God’s plan for holiness always included a way for His people to return to Him when they stumbled, making holiness an act of relationship, not a performance of perfection. It was His way of ensuring Israel remained in fellowship with Him.

God’s Call to the Church

In 1 Peter 1:15–16, Peter quotes Leviticus 11:44, saying, “As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’” Peter was writing to scattered Christians—the church—who were facing pressure and persecution, calling them to live holy lives. In his letter, he applied the Old Testament command in Leviticus to followers of Jesus. Because God is holy, Peter exhorted believers to reflect His unique character. It was more than a nice moral suggestion—it was a direct call to live as people set apart for God.

So for Christians today, biblical holiness is about being set apart for God’s use and growing in obedience to Him—not about flawless performance. And while obedience matters, holiness is rooted in the heart, which results in changed conduct.

The Bible is clear that true holiness produces humility, not pride, and it’s a calling for all believers, not just religious leaders. And it has nothing to do with isolation; holiness means living differently while engaging the world with love and truth, which will consequently draw people who don’t know God toward Him—and toward His Son, Jesus.

Conclusion

Are you willing to be different from the world around you? Are you willing to let God tell you what is important and how to live? Or are you trying to blend in and be accepted? Perhaps you’re looking for fame and followers on social media, but “different” is not bad. In fact, being “different” is a beautiful thing. In the biblical sense, being different is the defining element of our relationship with God. He is holy. He is different. He is set apart. Because we are in relationship with Him, we are also holy. Holiness isn’t just about ancient temple vessels, the children of Israel, or the Sabbath—it’s in how we speak, handle finances, and treat enemies. These small acts of difference are what make our holiness visible to the world.

Learn more about holiness from Dr. Susan Michael in this podcast, “What Does It Actually Mean to Be Holy?”