God will take it upon Himself to show the rest of the world His holiness, as seen in Ezekiel 36:22-23, where the Hebrew word qadesh, meaning to be holy, is used. This term is also translated as sanctify, hallow, consecrate, or magnify in other contexts. Though the house of Israel has profaned His holy name among the nations, He will vindicate the holiness of His great name. He has called others, the spiritual Israel of God, to strive to become holy as He is holy, magnifying His great name through their faithfulness to Him and His way of life.

The Hebrew word *qadesh* (H6945), phonetically pronounced as kaw-dashe, refers to a sacred holy person, specifically a male temple prostitute or Sodomite. Its feminine form, *ked-ay-shaw* (6948), similarly denotes a female temple prostitute, often translated as harlot in the King James Version, yet it literally means a holy woman. Both terms derive from the same root, *kaw-dash*, and are cognates with *ko-desh*, the word most frequently translated as holy in Hebrew. These terms highlight a concept of holiness tied to separateness, as individuals like Tamar, mistaken for a harlot, were seen as set apart for sacred duties in a temple context, which differs significantly from modern understandings of holiness. In this cultural framework, being considered holy did not imply moral or ethical purity but rather a dedication or separation for religious purposes, even in idolatrous settings. This illustrates that holiness, as associated with *qadesh*, depends heavily on context and can apply to individuals separated for temple service without any inherent moral quality.

The Hebrew term *qadesh* (H6945), meaning a male holy person, and its feminine form *kedeshah* (H6948), meaning a female holy person, are derived from the root *ko-desh*, which fundamentally indicates separateness or being set apart. In the context of Genesis 38:15, 21-22, *kedeshah* is translated as "harlot" because the broader setting suggests a temple prostitute, as seen with Tamar, who disguised herself and was perceived by Judah as such due to her attire and location near a temple. This illustrates that the term "holy" does not always imply spiritual or moral purity; its meaning heavily depends on context, sometimes merely indicating separation or dedication to a purpose or place associated with God or a god. Thus, items, places, or even individuals like a prostitute can be deemed holy under the Old Covenant due to their association with divine worship, without necessarily reflecting ethical or moral purity.

In the account of the Israelites at Mount Sinai the Hebrew word qadash is translated both consecrate and sanctify. This word means to set apart for a special and specific purpose. It also means to be clean to pronounce as clean ceremonially or morally and to be holy. God required the Israelites to be consecrated and sanctified before they appeared before Him. The same requirement of cleanliness and holiness applies to those who will bow before God on the sea of glass in front of His throne.