Systematic Theology, by Louis Berkhof - New Leaven

X. Sanctification
A. THE SCRIPTURAL TERMS FOR SANCTIFICATION AND
HOLINESS.
1. THE OLD TESTAMENT TERMS. The Old Testament word for ‘to sanctify’ is qadash, a
verb that is used in the niphal, piel, hiphil, and hithpa’el species. The corresponding noun
is qodesh, while the adjective is qadosh. The verbal forms are derived from the nominal
and adjectival forms. The original meaning of these words is uncertain. Some are of the
opinion that the word qadash is related to chadash, meaning ‘to shine.’ This would be in
harmony with the qualitative aspect of the Biblical idea of holiness, namely, that of
purity. Others, with a greater degree of probability, derive the word from the root qad,
meaning ‘to cut.’ This would make the idea of separation the original idea. The word
would then point to aloofness, separateness, or majesty. Though this meaning of the
words ‘sanctification’ and ‘holiness’ may seem unusual to us, it is in all probability the
fundamental idea expressed by them. Says Girdlestone: “The terms ‘sanctification’ and
‘holiness’ are now used so frequently to represent moral and spiritual qualities, that
they hardly convey to the reader the idea of position or relationship as existing between
God and some person or thing consecrated to Him; yet this appears to be the real
meaning of the word.” 87 Similarly, Cremer-Koegel calls attention to the fact that the idea
of separation is fundamental to that of holiness. “Heiligkeit ist ein verhaeltnisbegriff.”
At the same time it is admitted that the two ideas of holiness and separation do not
merge, are not absorbed in each other, but that the former in a measure serves to qualify
the latter. 88
2. THE NEW TESTAMENT TERMS.
a. The verb hagiazo and its various meanings. The verb hagiazo is a derivative of hagios,
which like the Hebrew qadosh expresses primarily the idea of separation. It is used in
several different senses, however, in the New Testament. We may distinguish the
following: (1) It is used in a mental sense of persons or things, Matt. 6:9; Luke 11:2; I Pet.
3:15. In such cases it means “to regard an object as holy,” “to ascribe holiness to it,” or
“to acknowledge its holiness by word or deed.” (2) It is also employed occasionally in a
ritual sense, that is, in the sense of “separating from ordinary for sacred purposes,” or of
87 Old Testament Synonyms, p. 283.
88 Biblisch-Theologisches Woerterbuch (10th ed.) p. 41.
586