Dictionary Article

Chief attribute of God and a quality to be developed in his people. “Holiness” and the adjective “holy” occur more than 900 times in the Bible. The primary OT word for holiness means “to cut” or “to separate.” Fundamentally, holiness is a cutting off or separation from what is unclean and a consecration to what is pure.

In the OT, holiness as applied to God signifies his transcendence over creation and the moral perfection of his character. God is holy in that he is utterly distinct from his creation and exercises sovereign majesty and power over it. His holiness is especially prominent in the Psalms (47:8) and the Prophets (Ez 39:7), where “holiness” emerges as a synonym for Israel’s God. Thus, Scripture ascribes to God the title “Holy” (Is 57:15), “Holy One” (Jb 6:10; Is 43:15), and “Holy One of Israel” (Ps 89:18; Is 60:14; Jer 50:29).

Show passage in OET: PSA 47:8

OET-RV PSA 47:8

8 God reigns over the nations.
⇔ ≈ God sits on his sacred throne.

OET-LV PSA 47:9

9  god he _reigns over nations god he _sits on the _throne _of his _holiness _of_his.

Show passage in OET: EZE 39:7

OET-RV EZE 39:7

7 I’ll make my holy name known among my people Yisrael, and I’ll no longer allow my holy name to be profaned—the nations will know that I am Yahweh, the holy One in Yisrael.

OET-LV EZE 39:7

7 And_DOM the _name _of my _holiness _of_my I _will _make _known in _the_middle people _of_my Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) and_not I _will _let _be _profaned DOM the _name _of my _holiness _of_my again and_ the_nations _they _will _know if/because _that I YHWH am_holy in_Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel).

Show passage in OET: ISA 57:15

OET-RV ISA 57:15

¶  15 The one who’s high and honoured, who lives forever and whose name is holy, says:
⇔ I live in a place that’s holy and up high,
⇔ but also with the oppressed person and with the humble person,
⇔ → to restore the spirit of the humble and to encourage those who feel crushed.

OET-LV ISA 57:15

15 If/because thus the _one _who _is_high and_the _one _who _is_exalted who_dwells perpetuity and_is_holy his/its_name he _says a _high _place and_a _holy_place I _dwell and_DOM a_person_crushed and_a_person_lowly _of spirit to_restore the_spirit _of lowly_people and_to_restore the_heart _of those _who _are_crushed.

Show passage in OET: JOB 6:10

OET-RV JOB 6:10

10 It still comforts me and gives me inner joy through never-ending pain,
⇔ that I haven’t denied the words of the holy one.

OET-LV JOB 6:10

10 And_may _it _be still comfort _of_my and_may _I _jump in_anguish which_not it _relents if/because not I _have _hidden the_words/messages _of the_holy_one.

Show passage in OET: ISA 43:15

OET-RV ISA 43:15

15 I am Yahweh, your holy one
⇔ ≈ creator of Yisrael, your king.

OET-LV ISA 43:15

15 I am_YHWH your _holy _of_one the _one _who_created _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) king _of_your(pl).

Show passage in OET: PSA 89:18

OET-RV PSA 89:18

18 because our shield belongs to Yahweh—
⇔ ≈ our king belongs to Yisrael’s (Israel) holy one.

OET-LV PSA 89:19

19  If/because to/for_YHWH shield _of_our and_belongs_to_the _holy_one_of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) king _of_our.

Show passage in OET: ISA 60:14

OET-RV ISA 60:14

14 The descendants of those who oppressed you will come to you
⇔ and all those who despised you will bow down at your feet.
⇔ They will call you Yahweh’s city—
⇔ Yisrael’s (Israel) holy one—Tsiyon (Zion).

OET-LV ISA 60:14

14 And_they _will _come to_you by _bowing _down the _children _of those _who_afflicted _you and_they _will _bow _down to the _soles _of your _two’s _feet _of_your all _of those _of_who_despised _you and_they _will _call to/for_you(fs) the _city _of YHWH Tsiyyōn/(Zion) of _the _holy_one_of of _Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel).

Show passage in OET: JER 50:29

OET-RV JER 50:29

29 Summon the archers against Bavel—all those who use bows and arrows.
⇔ Surround it completely and don’t let anyone escape.
⇔ Repay it for what it’s done.
⇔ Do to it what it did to others
⇔ because it had defied Yahweh, Yisrael’s (Israel) holy one,

OET-LV JER 50:29

29 Summon against Bāⱱel archers all _of those _who_bend _of (of)_a _bow encamp on/upon_it(f) all _around not let _it _belong escape repay to/for_her/it according_to _of_its _deed[s] according_to _all that it _has _done do to/for_her/it if/because (to) YHWH it _has _acted _presumptuously against the _holy_one_of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel).

Jump to OET PSA 47:8 section.

Jump to OET EZE 39:7 section.

Jump to OET ISA 57:15 section.

Jump to OET JOB 6:10 section.

Jump to OET ISA 43:15 section.

Jump to OET PSA 89:18 section.

Jump to OET ISA 60:14 section.

Jump to OET JER 50:29 section.

In the OT God’s holiness denotes that the Lord is separate from all that is evil and defiled (cf. Jb 34:10). His holy character is the standard of absolute moral perfection (Is 5:16). God’s holiness—his transcendent majesty and the purity of his character—are skillfully balanced in Psalm 99. Verses 1 through 3 portray God’s distance from the finite and earthbound, whereas verses 4 and 5 emphasize his separation from sin and evil.

Show passage in OET: JOB 34:10

OET-RV JOB 34:10

⇔  10 So listen to me you people who understand.
⇔ God wouldn’t do anything wicked,
⇔ ≈ and the provider wouldn’t do anything wrong.

OET-LV JOB 34:10

10 For_so/thus/hence Oh _people _of heart listen to_me far_be _it to_god from_wickedness and_the_almighty from_unrighteousness.

Show passage in OET: ISA 5:16

OET-RV ISA 5:16

16 and Commander-in-chief Yahweh will be honoured for his justice.
⇔ ≈ God will demonstrate his holiness by doing what is right.

OET-LV ISA 5:16

16 And_he _was _exalted YHWH soldiers/messengers by_judgement and_(the)_god (the)_holy will_show _himself _holy by_righteousness.

Show passage in OET: PSA 99:1–9

OET-RV PSA 99:1

99 Yahweh reigns—let the nations tremble.
⇔ He sits above those winged creatures—the earth quakes.

OET-RV PSA 99:2

2 Yahweh is powerful in Tsiyon (Zion).
⇔ He’s more important than all the nations. NOT SURE

OET-RV PSA 99:3

3 Let them praise your great and awesome name.
⇔ He is holy.

OET-RV PSA 99:4

4 He’s a powerful king who loves justice.
⇔ You have established fairness.
⇔ You have done what is right and fair in dealing with Yisrael (Israel).

OET-RV PSA 99:5

5 Praise our god, Yahweh,
⇔ and worship him in front of his throne.
⇔ He is holy.

OET-RV PSA 99:6

⇔  6 Mosheh (Moses) and Aharon (Aaron) were among his priests,
⇔ and Shmuel (Samuel) was among those who prayed to him.
⇔ They asked Yahweh for help and he answered them.

OET-RV PSA 99:7

7 He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud.
⇔ They followed his instructions
⇔ and obeyed the rules that he gave them.

OET-RV PSA 99:8

⇔  8 You answered them, Yahweh our god.
⇔ You were a forgiving God to them,
⇔ but one who punished them for their disobedience.

OET-RV PSA 99:9

9 Praise our god Yahweh,
⇔ and worship at his sacred hill,
⇔ because our god Yahweh is sinless.

OET-LV PSA 99:1

99 YHWH he _reigns peoples let _them _tremble he_is_sitting cherubim the_earth/land let _it _quake.

OET-LV PSA 99:2

2 YHWH in_Tsiyyōn/(Zion) is_great and_is_ he _exalted over all _of the_peoples.

OET-LV PSA 99:3

3 Let _them _give _thanks _to name _of_your great and_to _be _feared is_holy he.

OET-LV PSA 99:4

4 And_the_strength _of a _king who_justice he _loves you you _have _established uprightness(es) justice and_righteousness in_Yaˊₐqoⱱ/(Jacob) you you _have _done.

OET-LV PSA 99:5

5 Exalt YHWH god _of_our and_bow _down to_the _footstool _of his _feet _of_his is_holy he.

OET-LV PSA 99:6

6 Mosheh and_ʼAhₐron were_among_priests _of_his and_Shəmū^ʼēl/(Samuel) was_among_those _who_called _on _of his/its_name they_were_calling to YHWH and_he he_answered _them.

OET-LV PSA 99:7

7 In_a _pillar _of cloud he _spoke to_them they _kept testimonies _of_his and_the_decree which_he _gave to_them.

OET-LV PSA 99:8

8 Oh_YHWH god _of_our you you_answered _them a _god forgiving you _were to/for_them and_avenging _yourself on deeds _of_their.

OET-LV PSA 99:9

9 Exalt YHWH god _of_our and_bow _down to_the _mountain _of his _holiness _of_his if/because is_holy YHWH god _of_our.

Show passage in OET: PSA 99:1–3

OET-RV PSA 99:1

99 Yahweh reigns—let the nations tremble.
⇔ He sits above those winged creatures—the earth quakes.

OET-RV PSA 99:2

2 Yahweh is powerful in Tsiyon (Zion).
⇔ He’s more important than all the nations. NOT SURE

OET-RV PSA 99:3

3 Let them praise your great and awesome name.
⇔ He is holy.

OET-LV PSA 99:1

99 YHWH he _reigns peoples let _them _tremble he_is_sitting cherubim the_earth/land let _it _quake.

OET-LV PSA 99:2

2 YHWH in_Tsiyyōn/(Zion) is_great and_is_ he _exalted over all _of the_peoples.

OET-LV PSA 99:3

3 Let _them _give _thanks _to name _of_your great and_to _be _feared is_holy he.

Show passage in OET: PSA 99:4

OET-RV PSA 99:4

4 He’s a powerful king who loves justice.
⇔ You have established fairness.
⇔ You have done what is right and fair in dealing with Yisrael (Israel).

OET-LV PSA 99:4

4 And_the_strength _of a _king who_justice he _loves you you _have _established uprightness(es) justice and_righteousness in_Yaˊₐqoⱱ/(Jacob) you you _have _done.

Show passage in OET: PSA 99:5

OET-RV PSA 99:5

5 Praise our god, Yahweh,
⇔ and worship him in front of his throne.
⇔ He is holy.

OET-LV PSA 99:5

5 Exalt YHWH god _of_our and_bow _down to_the _footstool _of his _feet _of_his is_holy he.

Jump to OET JOB 34:10 section.

Jump to OET ISA 5:16 section.

Jump to OET PSA 99:1–9 section.

Jump to OET PSA 99:1–3 section.

Jump to OET PSA 99:4 section.

Jump to OET PSA 99:5 section.

In the OT God demanded holiness in the lives of his people. Through Moses, God said to the congregation of Israel, “You shall be holy; for I the Lord your God am holy” (Lv 19:2, rsv). The holiness enjoined by the OT was twofold: (1) external, or ceremonial; and (2) internal, or moral and spiritual. OT ceremonial holiness, prescribed in the Pentateuch (the first five books of the OT) included ritual consecration to God’s service. Thus priests and Levites were sanctified by a complex process of ritual consecration (Ex 29), as were the Hebrew Nazirites, which means “separated ones” (Nm 6:1-21). Prophets like Elisha (2 Kgs 4:9) and Jeremiah (Jer 1:5) were also sanctified for a special prophetic ministry in Israel.

Show passage in OET: LEV 19:2

OET-RV LEV 19:2

2 Tell the entire Israeli community that they must be separate from others, because I, your god Yahweh, am holy (i.e., separated from impurity).

OET-LV LEV 19:2

2 speak to all _of the _congregation _of the _people _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) and_you _will _say to_them holy you(pl)_will _be if/because am_holy I YHWH god _of_your(pl).

Show passage in OET: KI2 4:9

OET-RV KI2 4:9

9 and the woman said to her husband, “You know, I’m sure that this man who often drops in on us is a holy man of God.

OET-LV KI2 4:9

9 And_she/it _said to her/its_husband/man HERE please I _know if/because _that is_a _man _of god holy he who_passes _by at_us continually.

Show passage in OET: JER 1:5

OET-RV JER 1:5

5 “Before I formed you in your mother, I already knew you,
⇔ ≈ and before you came out of the womb, I had a plan for you.
⇔ I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

OET-LV JER 1:5

5 Before_before mmm in_belly I_knew _you and_before you _came _forth from_the_womb I_set _you _apart a _prophet to_nations I_appointed _you.

Jump to OET LEV 19:2 section.

Jump to OET KI2 4:9 section.

Jump to OET JER 1:5 section.

But the OT also draws attention to the inner, moral, and spiritual aspects of holiness. Men and women, created in the image of God, are called to cultivate the holiness of God’s own character in their lives (Lv 19:2; Nm 15:40). In the NT the ceremonial holiness prominent in the Pentateuch recedes to the background. Whereas much of Judaism in Jesus’ time sought a ceremonial holiness by works (Mk 7:1-5), the NT stresses the ethical rather than the formal dimension of holiness (vv 6-12). With the coming of the Holy Spirit, the early church perceived that holiness of life was a profound internal reality that should govern an individual’s thought and attitudes in relation to persons and objects in the external world.

Show passage in OET: NUM 15:40

OET-RV NUM 15:40

40 Instead, you’ll remember and follow my instructions, and stay pure for your god.

OET-LV NUM 15:40

40 So _that you(pl)_may _remember and_you(pl)_will _observe DOM all _of commands _of_my and_you(pl)_will _be holy to_god _of_your(pl).

Show passage in OET: MRK 7:1–5

OET-RV MRK 7:1

7 Some from the Farisaios party and some of the law teachers had come from Yerushalem (Jerusalem) to observe Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus)

OET-RV MRK 7:2

2 and noticed that some of his followers were eating their food without following their religious customs, i.e., without washing their hands.

OET-RV MRK 7:3

3 (The Farisaios and, in fact, all the Jewish religious leaders don’t eat without first ceremonially washing their hands as taught by their elders over the generations.

OET-RV MRK 7:4

4 They won’t eat at the market if they can’t do that first, and have many other regulations about ceremonial washing of cups and jugs and copper containers.)

OET-RV MRK 7:5

5 Then the Farisaios and religious teachers asked Yeshua, “How come your followers don’t respect our Jewish traditions, but eat without the ceremonial washing of hands?”

OET-LV MRK 7:1

7 And the Farisaios_party and some of _the scribes, having _come from Hierousalaʸm/(Yərūshālayim), are _being _gathered _together to him,

OET-LV MRK 7:2

2 and having _seen some of _the apprentices/followers of _him, that they _are _eating the loaves with _unclean hands, this is with _unwashed.

OET-LV MRK 7:3

3 (For/Because the Farisaios_party and all the Youdaiōns, are_ not _eating if they _may_ not _wash the hands with_the_fist, taking _hold _of the tradition of _the elders,

OET-LV MRK 7:4

4 and from the_marketplace they _are_ not _eating if they _may_ not _wash, and many other things there _is which they _received to _be _taking _hold _of, washings of _cups and pitchers and copper _kettles.
)

OET-LV MRK 7:5

5 And the Farisaios_party are _asking him and the scribes:
For/Because_ why _reason the apprentices/followers of _you are_ not _walking according _to the tradition of _the elders, but they _are _eating the bread with _common hands?

Show passage in OET: MRK 7:6–12

OET-RV MRK 7:6

6 “Yeshayah (Isaiah) got it exactly right,” he answered, “when he expressed God’s thoughts about you hypocrites and wrote:
⇔ ‘These people honour me with their lips,
⇔ but their real desires are far away from me.

OET-RV MRK 7:7

7 Their worship of me is worthless—
⇔ teaching man-made rules as if they are from God.’

OET-RV MRK 7:8

8 You’ve ignored God’s commands instead accepting human traditions.

OET-RV MRK 7:9

9 “You all simply dismiss God’s commands in favour of your own customs, Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) continued.

OET-RV MRK 7:10

10 Mosheh (Moses) teaches us,
⇔ ‘Honour your parents,’
⇔ and
⇔ ‘Anyone dishonestly slandering their parents deserves the death penalty.’

OET-RV MRK 7:11

11 But when you all encourage people to say, ‘Whatever I had that may have helped you guys has been given to God’,

OET-RV MRK 7:12

12 you are actively discouraging them from helping their parents—

OET-LV MRK 7:6

6 And he answering said to _them:
Aʸsaias/(Yəshaˊ^yāh) rightly prophesied concerning you _all the hypocrites, as it _has _been _written, that This the people is _honouring me with _the lips, but the heart of _them is _being _away far _away from me.

OET-LV MRK 7:7

7 And they _are _worshipping me uselessly, teaching the_commands of _humans as _teachings.

OET-LV MRK 7:8

8 Having _left the command of_ the _god, you _all _are _taking _hold _of the tradition of_ the _humans.

OET-LV MRK 7:9

9 And he _was _saying to _them:
You _all _are _rejecting well the command of_ the _god, in _order _that you _all _may _keep the tradition of _you _all.

OET-LV MRK 7:10

10 For/Because Mōsaʸs/(Mosheh) said:
Be _honouring the father of _you and the mother of _you, and:
The one speaking _evil father or mother let _be _dying in _death.

OET-LV MRK 7:11

11 But you _all are _saying:
If a_person may _say to _the father or the mother:
whatever you _may _be _benefitted if from me it _is Korban (that is ‘a_gift’),

OET-LV MRK 7:12

12 you _all _are_ no _longer _allowing him to _do nothing for _the father or the mother,

Jump to OET NUM 15:40 section.

Jump to OET MRK 7:1–5 section.

Jump to OET MRK 7:6–12 section.

The NT Greek equivalent of the common Hebrew word for holiness signifies an inner state of freedom from moral fault and a relative harmony with the moral perfection of God. The word “godlikeness” or “godliness” captures the sense of the primary Greek word for holiness. Another Greek word approximates the dominant OT concept of holiness as external separation from the profane and dedication to the service of the Lord.

Because the NT writers assumed the OT portrait of deity, holiness is ascribed to God in relatively few apostolic texts. Jesus affirmed the ethical nature of God when he enjoined his disciples to pray that the Father’s name might be esteemed for what it is: “Hallowed be thy name” (Mt 6:9, KJB). In the book of Revelation the Father’s moral perfection is extolled with the threefold ascription of holiness borrowed from Isaiah: “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come” (Rv 4:8, rsv; cf. Is 6:3). Luke, however, contemplated God’s holiness in terms of the dominant OT concept of his transcendence and majesty (Lk 1:49).

Show passage in OET: MAT 6:9

OET-RV MAT 6:9

9 So pray like this:
⇔ ‘Our father in the heavens,
⇔ we want your name to be honoured forever.

OET-LV MAT 6:9

9 Therefore you _all be _praying thus:
father of _us, the one in the heavens, let_ the name of _you _be _sanctified.

Show passage in OET: REV 4:8

OET-RV REV 4:8

8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings with eyes all around and underneath them. Day and night they never stop saying:
⇔ ‘Holy, holy, holy,
⇔ is Yahweh, almighty God,
⇔ who was and is and is to come.’

OET-LV REV 4:8

8 And the four living _creatures, one by one of _them, having each six wings, around and inside they _are _being _full of _eyes, and rest not they _are _having by _day and night saying:
holy, holy, holy, master the god the almighty, who was, and who being, and who coming.

Show passage in OET: ISA 6:3

OET-RV ISA 6:3

3 They were calling out to each other,
⇔ “Commander-in-chief Yahweh is holy, yes, fully holy.
⇔ The whole earth is filled with his splendour.”

OET-LV ISA 6:3

3 And_ this _he _called to this and_saying(ms) is_holy holy holy YHWH soldiers/messengers the _fullness of _all _of the_earth/land glory _of_is_his.

Show passage in OET: LUK 1:49

OET-RV LUK 1:49

49 because the powerful one treated me incredibly,
⇔ and his name is holy.

OET-LV LUK 1:49

49 Because the powerful one did great things to _me, and the name of _him is holy.

Jump to OET MAT 6:9 section.

Jump to OET REV 4:8 section.

Jump to OET ISA 6:3 section.

Jump to OET LUK 1:49 section.

Similarly the holiness of Jesus Christ is asserted in the NT. Luke (Lk 1:35; 4:34), Peter (Acts 3:14; 4:27-30), the writer of Hebrews (Heb 7:26), and John (Rv 3:7) ascribe holiness to both the Father and the Son.

Show passage in OET: LUK 1:35

OET-RV LUK 1:35

35 “The holy spirit will come over you,” answered the messenger, “and the power of the highest one will overshadow you, and so the holy child that’ll be born will be called God’s son.

OET-LV LUK 1:35

35 And answering the messenger said to _her:
The_ holy _spirit will _be _coming _over on you, and the_power of_the_highest will _be _overshadowing on _you, therefore also the holy child being _born will _be _being _called, son of_god.

Show passage in OET: LUK 4:34

OET-RV LUK 4:34

34 “Ha! What do we have in common with you, Yeshua the man from Nazaret (Nazareth)? Did you come here to destroy us? I know who you are—you’re the holy one from God.”

OET-LV LUK 4:34

34 Ha.
What to _us and to _you, Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa) Nazaraʸnos?
Came _you to _destroy us?
I _have _known who you are, the holy one of_ the _god.

Show passage in OET: ACT 3:14

OET-RV ACT 3:14

14 You disowned this man who was innocent and sinless, and instead you requested that a murderer be released to you.

OET-LV ACT 3:14

14 But you _all disowned the holy one and righteous one, and you _all _requested a_man a_murderer to _be _granted to _you _all,

Show passage in OET: ACT 4:27–30

OET-RV ACT 4:27

27 And indeed Herodes (Herod) and Pontios Pilatos (Pilate) met with the pagan Romaios and the peoples of Yisrael (Israel) to conspire against your holy servant Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) who you chose.

OET-RV ACT 4:28

28 Then they did exactly what your power and plan had already decided would happen.

OET-RV ACT 4:29

29 So now, Yahweh, see their threats and help us, your slaves, to be able to proclaim your message with boldness.

OET-RV ACT 4:30

30 Let us experience your power to heal and do miracles and things that confirm the scriptures by means of the name and authority of your holy servant, Yeshua.”

OET-LV ACT 4:27

27 For/Because both Haʸrōdaʸs and Pontios Pilatos were _gathered _together in truth in the this city with the_pagans and peoples of _Israaʸl/(Yisrā^ʼēl) against the holy servant of _you Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa), whom you _anointed,

OET-LV ACT 4:28

28 to _do as _much _as the hand of _you, and the counsel of _you predetermined to _become.

OET-LV ACT 4:29

29 And the things now, master, look _upon on the threats of _them, and give to _the slaves of _you, all to _be _speaking the of _you message with boldness,

OET-LV ACT 4:30

30 in that the hand to _be _stretching _out to _you for healing, and signs, and wonders, to _be _becoming through the name of _the holy servant of _you, Yaʸsous.

Show passage in OET: HEB 7:26

OET-RV HEB 7:26

26 Such a high priest exactly meets our needs: one who is godly, innocent, pure, set apart from sinners, and honoured above the heavens.

OET-LV HEB 7:26

26 For/Because such for _us also was _befitting a_chief _priest, devout, innocent, undefiled, having _been _separated from the sinners, and higher than the heavens having _become,

Show passage in OET: REV 3:7

OET-RV REV 3:7

7 To the assembly’s messenger in Filadelfeia write:
¶ The holy one, the true one, the one having King David’s key to the city, the one who opens doors no one can shut, and who shuts doors no one can open, says:

OET-LV REV 3:7

7 And to _the messenger of _the in Filadelfeia assembly write:
These things is _saying the true one, the holy one, which having the key of _Dawid/(Dāvid), the one opening _up and no _one will _be _shutting, and shutting and no _one is _opening _up:

Jump to OET LUK 1:35 section.

Jump to OET LUK 4:34 section.

Jump to OET ACT 3:14 section.

Jump to OET ACT 4:27–30 section.

Jump to OET HEB 7:26 section.

Jump to OET REV 3:7 section.

Since the Spirit comes from God, discloses his holy character, and is the instrument of God’s holy purposes in the world, he also is absolutely holy (Mt 1:18; 3:16; 28:19; Lk 1:15; 4:14). The common title “Holy Spirit” underscores the ethical perfection of the third person of the Godhead (Jn 3:5-8; 14:16-17, 26 OET JHN 14:16–17 · OET JHN 14:26).

Show passage in OET: MAT 1:18

OET-RV MAT 1:18

18 Now this is how the birth of Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) came about: Maria (Mary; Heb. Miryam; Grk. Maria /Mariam) his mother was engaged to Yosef (Joseph). But before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the work of the holy spirit.

OET-LV MAT 1:18

18 And the birth the of_Yaʸsous chosen _one /messiah was thus:
Maria the mother of _him, having _been _betrothed to_ the _Yōsaʸf, before or/than them to _come _together, she _was _found having in womb by the_ holy _spirit.

Show passage in OET: MAT 3:16

OET-RV MAT 3:16

16 As Yeshua came up out of the water after being immersed, the sky was opened up and he saw God’s spirit coming down like a dove and landing on him.

OET-LV MAT 3:16

16 And having _been _immersed, the Yaʸsous immediately went _up from the water, and see, the heavens were _opened _up, and he _saw the spirit of_ the _god coming _down as _if a_dove and coming on him.

Show passage in OET: MAT 28:19

OET-RV MAT 28:19

19 so I want you to leave here and go and train followers in every country, immersing them in water with the authority of the father and the son and the holy spirit.

OET-LV MAT 28:19

19 Therefore having _been _gone, train _followers all the nations, immersing them in the name of _the father, and of _the son, and of _the holy spirit,

Show passage in OET: LUK 1:15

OET-RV LUK 1:15

15 He’ll be considered special in God’s eyes, but he won’t be allowed to drink wine or spirits. Even while he’s still in his mother’s womb, he’ll be filled with God’s spirit.

OET-LV LUK 1:15

15 For/Because he _will _be great before the master, and by _no _means he _may_ not _drink wine and liquor, and he _will _be _being _filled of_the_ holy _spirit still from the_womb of_the_mother of _him.

Show passage in OET: LUK 4:14

OET-RV LUK 4:14

14 So then Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) returned to Galil in the power of the spirit, and the news about him spread into the surrounding region.

OET-LV LUK 4:14

14 And the Yaʸsous returned in the power of _the spirit to the Galilaia/(Gālīl).
And a_news came _out to all the surrounding _region concerning him.

Show passage in OET: JHN 3:5–8

OET-RV JHN 3:5

5 But Yeshua continued, “Honestly, I’m telling you: unless a person is born from both water and the spirit, they can’t enter God’s kingdom.

OET-RV JHN 3:6

6 Someone that’s born from a body is flesh and bone, but someone that’s born from God’s spirit is spiritual.

OET-RV JHN 3:7

7 So you shouldn’t be surprised that I told you that everyone needs to be reborn.

OET-RV JHN 3:8

8 The wind blows wherever it wants, and you can hear its sound but you can’t actually see where it’s coming from or where it’s going to. So too with everyone who’s born from God’s spirit.”

OET-LV JHN 3:5

5 Yaʸsous answered:
Truly, truly, I _am _telling to _you, if anyone not may _be _born of water and of_spirit, he _is_ not _able to _come _in into the kingdom the of_god.

OET-LV JHN 3:6

6 The thing having _been _born of the flesh, is flesh, and the thing having _been _born of the spirit, is spirit.

OET-LV JHN 3:7

7 You _may_ not _wonder that I _said to _you:
It _is _fitting you _all to _be _born again.

OET-LV JHN 3:8

8 The spirit it _is _blowing where is _wanting, and you _are _hearing the sound of _it, but you _have_ not _known from _where it _is _coming, and where it _is _going, thus is everyone which having _been _born of the spirit.

Show passage in OET: JHN 14:16–17; JHN 14:26

OET-RV JHN 14:16

16 Then I will ask the father, and he will give you a different assistant to be with you all for this age—

OET-RV JHN 14:17

17 the spirit of truth. The world can’t accept him, because it doesn’t see or know him.

OET-RV JHN 14:26

26 But the holy spirit, the assistant who the father will be sending with my authority, he will be teaching you everything, and will be reminding you of everything that I told you all.

OET-LV JHN 14:16

16 And _I will _be _asking the father, and he _will _be _giving another advocate to _you _all, in _order _that he _may _be with you _all to the age

OET-LV JHN 14:17

17 the spirit of_ the _truth, whom the world is_ not _able to _receive, because it _is_ not _observing nor is _knowing him.
You _all are _knowing him, because he _is _remaining with you _all, and is in you _all.

OET-LV JHN 14:26

26 But the advocate, the the holy spirit, whom the father will _be _sending in the name of _me, that one will _be _teaching you _all all things, and will _be _reminding you _all all things which I _said to _you _all.

Jump to OET MAT 1:18 section.

Jump to OET MAT 3:16 section.

Jump to OET MAT 28:19 section.

Jump to OET LUK 1:15 section.

Jump to OET LUK 4:14 section.

Jump to OET JHN 3:5–8 section.

Jump to OET JHN 14:16–17 section. · OET JHN 14:26 section.

In the NT, holiness also characterizes Christ’s church. The apostle Paul taught that Christ loved the church and died for it “that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word” (Eph 5:26, rsv). Peter addressed the church as a holy people in language borrowed from the OT. Separated from the unbelieving nations and consecrated to the Lord, the church is “a holy nation” (1 Pt 2:9; cf. Ex 19:6).

Show passage in OET: EPH 5:26

OET-RV EPH 5:26

26 so that he could separate the church from the world and wash it clean with the water of the good message

OET-LV EPH 5:26

26 in _order _that he _may _sanctify her, having _cleansed her by _the washing of_ the _water by the_message,

Show passage in OET: PE1 2:9

OET-RV PE1 2:9

9 But you believers are a chosen tribe, a group of royal priests, a holy nation, a people group that God has procured, so that you can tell others about the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness and into his marvellous light.

OET-LV PE1 2:9

9 But you _all are a_ chosen _race:
a_royal priesthood, a_ holy _nation, a_people for his_procuring, so _that the virtues you _all _may _proclaim _out, of _the one having _called you _all out _of darkness, to the marvellous light of _him,

Show passage in OET: EXO 19:6

OET-RV EXO 19:6

6 So you all will be my kingdom of priests and a nation dedicated to me.” (That’s the message to pass on to the Israelis.)

OET-LV EXO 19:6

6 And_you(pl) you(pl)_will _be to_me a _kingdom _of priests and_a _nation holy these are_the_words/messages which you _will _speak to the _people _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel).

Jump to OET EPH 5:26 section.

Jump to OET PE1 2:9 section.

Jump to OET EXO 19:6 section.

But the NT more often discusses holiness in relation to individual Christians. Believers in Christ are frequently designated as “saints,” literally meaning “holy ones,” since through faith God justifies sinners, pronouncing them “holy” in his sight. A justified sinner is by no means morally perfect, but God does declare believers to be guiltless. Thus, although Christians at Corinth, for example, were plagued with numerous sins, Paul could address his erring friends as those who were “sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints” (1 Cor 1:2, rsv). Despite their problems, the Corinthian believers were “holy ones” in Christ.

Show passage in OET: CO1 1:2

OET-RV CO1 1:2

2 It’s written to God’s assembly there in Korinthos—to those believers in Messiah Yeshua who’ve been declared guiltless and who’ve been called to live holy lives, along with all those who appeal to the power of our and their master Yeshua Messiah, everywhere.

OET-LV CO1 1:2

2 to _the assembly of_ the _god, having _been _sanctified in chosen _one /messiah Yaʸsous, which being in Korinthos, called holy ones, with all the ones calling on _the name of _the master of _us, Yaʸsous chosen _one /messiah, in every place, of _them and of _us:

Jump to OET CO1 1:2 section.

The NT, however, places great stress upon the reality of practical holiness in the Christian’s daily experience. The God who freely declares a person righteous through faith in Christ commands that the believer progress in holiness of life. In God’s plan, a growth in holiness should accompany believing. God graciously provides the spiritual resources to enable Christians to be “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pt 1:4).

Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary