The term "set-apart" is sometimes being frowned upon, because it carries the connotation of someone who considers himself or herself as being superior to other people. Superior, that is, in the sense of more righteous, morally more acceptable and therefore, less sinful than other people. It should be noted, however, that the term "set-apart" is genuinely Scriptural and throughout Scriptures it is often used to refer to individuals or groups of people who are serious about living their lives according to the pattern set forth by Yahweh, the Almighty.

It may be objected by some that the concept of being "set-apart" does not occur frequently in their Bibles and when it does, it does not seem to carry a great deal of importance or any special significance. This objection may be contributed to the fact that it has become customary among Bible translators to translate the words "qadosh" (Hebrew) and "hagios" (Greek) with "holy", instead of "set-apart". Consequently, translations like these hardly ever refer to something as being "set-apart". In a translation like "The Scriptures", however, the word group "set-apart" will be found in almost 1000 places and plays a significant role in characterising that which belongs and pertains to Yahweh. The word "holy" is one of those words that has become so generalised and theologised in its usage that very few people are concerned about its true meaning, even though they may use this word on a daily basis. "Set-apart", on the other hand, is an accurate expression of the exact meaning of both the concepts of "qadosh" and "hagios". Something or someone that is "qadosh" is set-apart from the rest, in order to be available and dedicated for one purpose only.

Ground that is set apart (in Scriptural context), means ground that Yahweh has chosen as location to reveal Himself to his servants (Shemot / Exodus 3:5). A Gathering that is set-apart is a gathering for the exclusive purpose of honouring the appointed times of Yahweh (Wayyikra / Leviticus 23:2). Matters that are set-apart are matters specifically pertaining to Yahweh and his set-apart place (or the tabernacle – Bemidbar / Numbers 4:4). People that are set-apart are people which Yahweh has chosen as his own, called (only through Yahweh’s favour) out all the peoples of this world to be his "treasured possession" (Devarim / Deuteronomy 7:6). In literally hundreds of places, both in the Old Covenant and New Covenant Scriptures, the concepts of "qadosh" and "hagios" are used to identify people and objects as set-apart for Yahweh and his unique purpose in this world.

The word "holy" is of uncertain, but almost certainly heathen origin, and is by no means essential when referring to Yahweh and that which belongs to Him. For centuries now, dictionaries and sources of etymology (the study of the origin of words) have time and again suggested that "holy" may well link with concepts like "holi" (name of a well known Hindu spring festival, featuring the goddess "Holika"); "halo" (a circle or luminous disk like the sun, associated with sun worship, and, in certain religious pictures, drawn above people’s heads to indicate "holiness") and "heile" (meaning "sunrays", also strongly suggesting a connection with sun worship). The Afrikaans word "heilig" is clearly stemming from the same root. The original concept of "qadosh" has nothing to do whatsoever with the sun or sun worship and we most certainly do not need words originating from this dubious sphere to describe something or someone that is set-apart for Yahweh.

There is another consideration that we need to look at, that is even more important than what has been stated so far. What is the reason for the Scriptural requirement that people and things (even time and space) connected with Yahweh and his covenant, should be set-apart for Him? The answer is very simple, yet extremely important. There is no other option – we have to be set-apart, for Yahweh, Himself, is set-apart. If we are to be associated with Him and with his Name, we should also reflect his set-apartness. Our lives need to be different from the ordinary, because Yahweh is different from all else – there is no one else comparable to Him. Our deeds and our words and our thoughts – even our offerings - need to be clean, they need to be pure and righteous, before being presented before Yahweh, who is clean, pure and righteous, above all. Set-apartness is primarily a characteristic of the Almighty and his call is frequently echoed throughout Scriptures: "Be set-apart, for I, Yahweh, am set-apart" (Wayyikra / Leviticus 11:44; 19:2; 20:7; Mattityahu / Matthew 5:48; 1 Kepha / 1 Peter 1:15-16; Revelation 3:2-7 – notice the introduction in verse 7 of the One who is urging the assembly to wake up and repent and not to defile their garments: "He who is set-apart … says this").

Is this requirement not expecting a little too much from people who are mere human beings? If we are going to try to meet this requirement out of brutal willpower and our own inner strength, then the answer is YES. But if we have come to know Yahweh as the set-apart One who not only challenges us to be set-apart (as He is set-apart), but also enables and empowers us to be set-apart, then the answer is NO. This is perhaps one of the most encouraging truths in all of Scriptures – that He who is calling us to be set-apart has also stated emphatically that He is the main driving force causing us to become set apart. "I am Yahweh who sets you apart" (Shemot / Exodus 31:13; Wayyikra / Leviticus 20:8; 21:8; Yechezkel / Ezekiel 20:12; 37:28). In essence, this is what the New Covenant is all about: Yahweh pouring out his set-apart Spirit in the lives op people who chose to follow Him, enabling them to do what would otherwise have been impossible for them to do.

"This is the covenant I shall make with the house of Yisrael after those days, declares Yahweh: I shall put My Torah in their inward parts, and write it on their hearts. And I shall be their Elohim, and they shall be My people. And no longer shall they teach, each one his neighbour, and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know Yahweh,’ for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them," declares Yahweh. "For I shall forgive their crookedness, and remember their sin no more." Yermeyahu / Jeremiah 31:33-34.

For those who associate themselves with Yahweh, revealed to this world as the only Elohim and true Saviour (through his Son, Y'shua), it is natural and inevitable to choose the way of set-apartness. To see oneself as part of Yahweh’s set-apart people is nothing to be arrogant about – in fact, the knowledge that Yahweh has granted someone like me the privilege to become part of his treasured possession, can only be a humbling experience. Let us therefore take heed of the call of Yahweh’s Word, in the spirit of 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8: "For Elohim did not call us to uncleanness, but in set-apartness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but Elohim, who also gives us His Set-apart Spirit."