The Hebrew word for holy, qades, describes something or someone. However, it is not a purely abstract concept, as in the holiest person. Instead, it is both descriptive and static. It is a quality, but it is also telling you how the person acts. As such, God being holy means that his actions are also holy, as are his relationships.

The Holy One of Israel separated the Israelites from the surrounding people groups and wanted to transform them via their relationship. Much like coming into contact with one of the pure, holy objects in the inner room of the tabernacle, the God makes the people who spend time with Him holy by that relationship.

It’s not instantaneous, but walking with the Holy One is supposed to change who we are. It’s supposed to awaken us and make us different from the people who surround us. Not because we dye our hair green or wear crosses, but because our very actions speak to an unassailable holiness within that makes other people long for that too.