What does it mean to be "Holy?" (Leviticus 19:1-20:27)

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BenAvraham

Senior Member
Aug 30, 2015
914
288
63
#1
Parasha: Kedoshim (Holy Ones) Leviticus 19:1-20:27


Chapter 19 starts with the words; “Ye shall be Holy for I am Holy”. When we look at the original Hebrew we read; “Amarta Aleichem Kadoshim ti’hiyu Ki Kadosh Ani” But there is something different in the two words; “Kadoshim” (ones who are holy) and Kadosh (Holy ONE). The word “Be ye Holy” in the original Hebrew has 5 letters, and the word “Kadosh” has 4 letters. The biggest difference is that the “o” in “Kadoshim” is not present, but it IS present in “Kadosh”. If we write these words in English, they would be “Kadshim” and “Kadosh” Why? There is a missing letter “Vav”

The “vav” is pronounced as either “v” “o” or “u”. It symbolizes the “nail”. Perfect Holiness without sin is only Adonai! He alone has the “vav” He took the “nail” for our sins. Our Holiness is lacking, we are not perfect as we have the sin nature, therefore, our Holiness can not carry the “Vav”

Some people have the wrong idea about the word "Holy" or "Holiness". Some might think it is to be almost sinless and perfect like God, yet only God is 100% Holy, as explained using the letter "Vav". Yet in reality, the word "Kadosh" or "Holy" is to be "separate". Separated from the lost world of perdition and set aside to do the work of God. God separated the people of Israel, as he has separated ALL believers, to do His work and to abide by HIS commandments. When we live a lifestyle based on His commandments, we are revealing a "Holy" lifestyle to those around us and thus we can be a good witnessing tool to the lost. We have been "saved" by faith to walk in "holiness. "

The first thing that is said is: "Honor your mother and father and keep my sabbaths" We see that God starts with family relationships, honoring those who have raised us, and to rest on the Sabbath. What a wonderful way to spend the Sabbath, being with our families and just enjoying the company of Mom and Dad (if they are still alive) and If not, with our siblings, brothers, sisters, and other family members.

Chapter 19 deals with quite a variety of commandments; “You shall not profane the name of the LORD thy YHVH; You shall love thy neighbor as thyself, I AM YHVH”. All of the 613 commandments of God have to do with honoring YHVH and our relationship with our fellow man. When we honor and love the LORD with all of our heart, we are honoring and not profaning the Name YHVH. When we honor and treat our fellow man well and try to establish a good relationship with him or her, we are, in a matter of sense, keeping the whole Torah, (in a general sense). When we are a bad witness before our fellow man, when we are an embarrassment because our sins are brought into the light, then, we are profaning the name of YHVH.

” You shall not curse the deaf nor put a stumbling block before the blind” (19:14) When one talks about another in a negative sense or spreads an “untruth” and the “other” cannot hear what is being said, it is as if that person is “deaf”. We need to be honest and truthful. If we have something we wish to discuss with a person, we need to do it face-to-face, and not behind the back.

When we misrepresent the Truth of God, teach or spread false teaching whether on purpose or by error, we are in a way a “stumbling block” before someone who does not know Yeshua “The blind” (spiritually).

“You shall not sow your field with mixed seed” (19:19) because each plant takes away from the soil nutrients, planting a mixture of crops will very soon deplete the soil of all of its nutrients, thus weakening the soil. Another example is plowing with an ox and a donkey, mixing fabrics (linen and wool) An ox is stronger than a donkey, and will make the donkey suffer under unneeded stress. The wool will shrink and pull away from the linen, thus ruining the fabric. We are talking about being "unequally yoked". The same can be said about a marriage, a business association, etc.

“You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor TATTOO any marks on you I AM YHVH! That is quite a statement. I am of the opinion that if God wanted us to have tattoos on our bodies, we would have been born with them. Why can’t people be happy with the bodies God gave them? Why do they have to alter them with drawings and markings? But such was the custom of the pagan cultures like the Canaanites, Moabites, etc., and it continues today. However, the blood of Yeshua covers, cleanses, and forgives ALL sin, even the sin of tattooing, yet tattooing is one sin that will leave its mark forever! (unless it is somehow removed)

” uncovering the nakedness of ….” This is another way of saying, “having sex” Chapter 20 takes up that topic again along with other topics. Adultery, under Torah's command, resulted in the death penalty, if this were effective today, how many couples would be true to each other? Perhaps many more than we imagine. It seems like sexuality is a serious issue with our creator. If it is serious with Him, it should also be with us.

When we follow the Torah of Adonai and put his commandments into practice with all of our heart, we are consecrating ourselves to Him, as “Kedoshim and Tzadikim” (holy and righteous ones) however always remember, that “SALVATION” comes ONLY through FAITH IN YESHUA! It is our faith in HIM that makes us Holy and Righteous, and this relationship leads us to Holy and Righteous works, which are obedience to his mitzvoth (commandments)
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
60,334
29,581
113
#2
Yet in reality, the word "Kadosh" or "Holy" is to be "separate". Separated
from the lost world of perdition and set aside to do the work of God.
That is my understanding also .:). Although I might say set apart rather than aside...
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,177
5,727
113
#3
Parasha: Kedoshim (Holy Ones) Leviticus 19:1-20:27


Chapter 19 starts with the words; “Ye shall be Holy for I am Holy”. When we look at the original Hebrew we read; “Amarta Aleichem Kadoshim ti’hiyu Ki Kadosh Ani” But there is something different in the two words; “Kadoshim” (ones who are holy) and Kadosh (Holy ONE). The word “Be ye Holy” in the original Hebrew has 5 letters, and the word “Kadosh” has 4 letters. The biggest difference is that the “o” in “Kadoshim” is not present, but it IS present in “Kadosh”. If we write these words in English, they would be “Kadshim” and “Kadosh” Why? There is a missing letter “Vav”

The “vav” is pronounced as either “v” “o” or “u”. It symbolizes the “nail”. Perfect Holiness without sin is only Adonai! He alone has the “vav” He took the “nail” for our sins. Our Holiness is lacking, we are not perfect as we have the sin nature, therefore, our Holiness can not carry the “Vav”

Some people have the wrong idea about the word "Holy" or "Holiness". Some might think it is to be almost sinless and perfect like God, yet only God is 100% Holy, as explained using the letter "Vav". Yet in reality, the word "Kadosh" or "Holy" is to be "separate". Separated from the lost world of perdition and set aside to do the work of God. God separated the people of Israel, as he has separated ALL believers, to do His work and to abide by HIS commandments. When we live a lifestyle based on His commandments, we are revealing a "Holy" lifestyle to those around us and thus we can be a good witnessing tool to the lost. We have been "saved" by faith to walk in "holiness. "

The first thing that is said is: "Honor your mother and father and keep my sabbaths" We see that God starts with family relationships, honoring those who have raised us, and to rest on the Sabbath. What a wonderful way to spend the Sabbath, being with our families and just enjoying the company of Mom and Dad (if they are still alive) and If not, with our siblings, brothers, sisters, and other family members.

Chapter 19 deals with quite a variety of commandments; “You shall not profane the name of the LORD thy YHVH; You shall love thy neighbor as thyself, I AM YHVH”. All of the 613 commandments of God have to do with honoring YHVH and our relationship with our fellow man. When we honor and love the LORD with all of our heart, we are honoring and not profaning the Name YHVH. When we honor and treat our fellow man well and try to establish a good relationship with him or her, we are, in a matter of sense, keeping the whole Torah, (in a general sense). When we are a bad witness before our fellow man, when we are an embarrassment because our sins are brought into the light, then, we are profaning the name of YHVH.

” You shall not curse the deaf nor put a stumbling block before the blind” (19:14) When one talks about another in a negative sense or spreads an “untruth” and the “other” cannot hear what is being said, it is as if that person is “deaf”. We need to be honest and truthful. If we have something we wish to discuss with a person, we need to do it face-to-face, and not behind the back.

When we misrepresent the Truth of God, teach or spread false teaching whether on purpose or by error, we are in a way a “stumbling block” before someone who does not know Yeshua “The blind” (spiritually).

“You shall not sow your field with mixed seed” (19:19) because each plant takes away from the soil nutrients, planting a mixture of crops will very soon deplete the soil of all of its nutrients, thus weakening the soil. Another example is plowing with an ox and a donkey, mixing fabrics (linen and wool) An ox is stronger than a donkey, and will make the donkey suffer under unneeded stress. The wool will shrink and pull away from the linen, thus ruining the fabric. We are talking about being "unequally yoked". The same can be said about a marriage, a business association, etc.

“You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor TATTOO any marks on you I AM YHVH! That is quite a statement. I am of the opinion that if God wanted us to have tattoos on our bodies, we would have been born with them. Why can’t people be happy with the bodies God gave them? Why do they have to alter them with drawings and markings? But such was the custom of the pagan cultures like the Canaanites, Moabites, etc., and it continues today. However, the blood of Yeshua covers, cleanses, and forgives ALL sin, even the sin of tattooing, yet tattooing is one sin that will leave its mark forever! (unless it is somehow removed)

” uncovering the nakedness of ….” This is another way of saying, “having sex” Chapter 20 takes up that topic again along with other topics. Adultery, under Torah's command, resulted in the death penalty, if this were effective today, how many couples would be true to each other? Perhaps many more than we imagine. It seems like sexuality is a serious issue with our creator. If it is serious with Him, it should also be with us.

When we follow the Torah of Adonai and put his commandments into practice with all of our heart, we are consecrating ourselves to Him, as “Kedoshim and Tzadikim” (holy and righteous ones) however always remember, that “SALVATION” comes ONLY through FAITH IN YESHUA! It is our faith in HIM that makes us Holy and Righteous, and this relationship leads us to Holy and Righteous works, which are obedience to his mitzvoth (commandments)
On the other hand look at the epistles of Jesus the Lord's apostles


‭Colossians 3:12-16 KJV‬
[12] Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; [13] forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. [14] And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. [15] And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. [16] Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.



What about Jesus words in the everlasting Gospel ? Do you know why it's calling the church holy as he is telling them what to do before they've accomplished it ???? Something to consider we can do our best but until God clothes us with his garments were just shoveling dung

‭Philippians 3:8-9 KJV‬
[8] Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, [9] and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
 

studentoftheword

Well-known member
Nov 12, 2021
1,721
596
113
#4
https://www.gotquestions.org/holiness-Bible.html
What does the Bible say about holiness?

In 1 Peter 1:13-16, Peter writes to believers, "Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'" Peter is quoting from Leviticus 11:44 and Leviticus 19:2.

First, let’s look at God’s holiness. What does it mean that God is holy? Passages like 1 Samuel 2:2 and Isaiah 6:3 are just two of many examples of passages about God’s holiness. Another way to say it is absolute perfection. God is unlike any other (see Hosea 11:9), and His holiness is the essence of that “otherness.” His very being is completely absent of even a trace of sin (James 1:13; Hebrews 6:18). He is high above any other, and no one can compare to Him (Psalm 40:5). God’s holiness pervades His entire being and shapes all His attributes. His love is a holy love, His mercy is holy mercy, and even His anger and wrath are holy anger and holy wrath. These concepts are difficult for humans to grasp, just as God is difficult for us to understand in His entirety.

Next, what does it mean for us to be holy? When God told Israel to be holy in Leviticus 11 and 19, He was instructing them to be distinct from the other nations by giving them specific regulations to govern their lives. Israel is God’s chosen nation and God has set them apart from all other people groups. They are His special people, and consequently they were given standards that God wanted them to live by so the world would know they belonged to Him. When Peter repeats the Lord’s words in 1 Peter 1:16, he is talking specifically to believers. As believers, we need to be "set apart" from the world unto the Lord. We need to be living by God’s standards, not the world’s. God isn’t calling us to be perfect, but to be distinct from the world. First Peter 2:9 describes believers as "a holy nation." It is a fact! We are separated from the world; we need to live out that reality in our day-to-day lives, which Peter tells us how to do in 1 Peter 1:13-16.

Finally, how can we become holy? Holiness only results from a right relationship with God by believing in Jesus Christ as Savior (accepting His gift of eternal life). If we have not placed our faith in God’s Son alone to save us from our sins, then our pursuit of holiness is in vain. So, we must first make sure we are born-again believers (see John 3). If we truly are believers, then we recognize that our position in Christ automatically sets us apart from the world (1 Peter 2:9). After all, we have a relationship with the living God! Then we must daily live a set-apart life, not trying to "blend in" with the world, but instead living according to God’s Word as we study the Bible and grow in it
 

BenAvraham

Senior Member
Aug 30, 2015
914
288
63
#5
Great comments, thank you, Yes, "Set Apart" great insight.