Hallow is one of the most important words in the Bible, making it an important concept to understand. Hallow is often translated as ‘holy’ or ‘set apart’, and it is used to describe people, things, and places as belonging to God and being consecrated to His service. It is also used to describe God Himself since He is set apart and holy in His nature and activity.
The word ‘hallow’ is derived from the Hebrew word, qadash, which is used to mean ‘holy’ or ‘set apart’. The root of qadash is qodesh, which means to be set apart or to be holy. The word ‘hallow’ itself appears in the Bible seventy-nine times and is often translated as ‘holy’ or ‘set apart’. In some cases, it is translated as something like ‘consecrate’, but it is also used to indicate holiness.
In the Old Testament, ‘hallow’ is used to describe different things that have been set apart for use by God. The most obvious example is the holy vessels of the tabernacle, which were made from materials brought from the wilderness, and then consecrated for use in the worship of God. The tabernacle and its vessels were ‘hallow’ because they were set apart for divine use.
The concept of ‘hallow’ is also used in the New Testament to describe God’s people being set apart for Him. For example, Jesus tells His disciples to be ‘hallow’, meaning that they should be devoted to Him and living in a way that is pleasing to Him. This same concept is repeated in the book of Ephesians, which speaks of Christians being ‘hallow’ and living lives that reflect the holiness of God.
The concept of ‘hallow’ is also used in the book of Revelation to describe the nation of Israel as being the ‘kingdom of priests’ God has set apart for Himself. This is a reference to the Old Testament where God made a covenant with the Israelites, making them a ‘nation of priests’. It is a reminder that God is holy and that He desires for us to set ourselves apart from the world and live lives that are pleasing to Him.
The concept of ‘hallow’ is an important one in the Bible because it speaks of the holiness of God and how He desires us to be set apart for Him. It reminds us that God is holy and we are to be devoted to Him, living lives that are pleasing to Him. It is a concept that should be kept at the forefront of our minds as we seek to live lives that reflect His holiness.
Different Uses of Hallow
Hallow is used throughout the Bible to describe different aspects of the holy nature of God. In the Old Testament, it is used to describe His special relationship with the nation of Israel as a special people and kingdom set apart for Him. It is a reminder of Israel’s special standing before God and His promise to be with them.
Hallow is also used to designate certain places or objects as holy or set apart from others. The tabernacle was hallowed because it was set aside for divine use. The same can be said of the Temple in Jerusalem, which was hallowed by God to be the place of the worship of Him. Even the garments of the priests were hallowed, signifying that they were set apart for divine use.
Hallow is also used to describe the holiness of God Himself. He is the one that is set apart, who is perfect and holy in His nature and activity. Even the title of ‘Most High’ belongs to God alone, indicating that He is above all other gods, and set apart from them. He is the one that is to be worshipped by us and all other creatures.
Hallow can also be used to refer to people, such as the Israelites who were set apart for God and His special service. They were called to be holy and to live lives that reflected His holiness. Jesus also called His followers to be ‘hallow’ and to live lives of obedience, reflecting His own holiness.
Implications of Hallow
Hallow has many implications for us as believers today. First, it speaks of the holiness of God and how we are to be devoted to Him, reflecting Him in our lives. We are to remember that He is holy and set apart above all other gods, and He is to be worshipped accordingly.
Second, it speaks of our own importance as His children. We are set apart for Him, just as the Israelites were, and called to live lives that reflect His holiness. We are to be obedient and follow the commands of God, setting ourselves apart from the world and living lives of faith and devotion.
It also speaks of our future hope. We can take comfort knowing that at some point in the future, we too, like the Israelites, will be called to hallow ourselves, being set apart as a special people of God. This is our hope and our joy, that one day God will be glorified in our lives, when we are living holy and devoted lives to Him.
Lastly, hallow reminds us that despite the brokenness and sin of this world, God can still redeem and sanctify us. We can take hope that He is holy and desires us to be holy, and that He will not abandon us, even in the midst of our failing and shortcomings.
Challenges of Hallow
Hallow is a call to remembrance that requires more than merely outward conformity. It is a call to holiness and devotion to God, which can be daunting at times. We must remember that holiness comes from setting ourselves apart from the world and following the commands of God, which can be difficult in a world that is full of competing loyalties.
It is also a call to remember that holiness is not merely an outward action, but something that must be worked on from the inside out. It is to live our lives in accordance with God’s commands and His Word, which demands a daily commitment to living with God’s will as our priority. This is a challenge that must be taken seriously and that requires us to be constantly seeking God’s direction and discernment.
It is also a challenge to remember that God desires us to be devoted to Him and to His service, and that this devotion is rooted in His holiness. We must not forget that God is holy and perfect, and that this holiness is to be reflected in our lives. We must strive to live lives of faith and obedience and to put God first, above all else.
Scriptural Examples of Hallow
Scripture provides us with many examples of people who hallowed themselves for God. Moses is an example of one who was called to be holy, even when the Israelites had rejected God’s commands. He was devoted to God, even when it was not easy. He was the example of faithfulness and obedience that is seen throughout the Bible.
The prophet Elijah is another example of one who hallowed himself in the face of adversity. He was devoted to God and refused to bow to the idols of the day. He also refused to compromise on his faith even when it looked like he might be endangered in doing so. It is an example of devotion to God in the midst of a faithless culture.
The prophets of the Old Testament were also devoted to God, often in the face of great danger. Jeremiah and Daniel are examples of faithful prophets who hallowed themselves in the face of the idolatry and wickedness of those around them. They were devoted to God’s will and served as examples of faithfulness and obedience that still resonate with us today.
Jesus is the greatest example of one who hallowed Himself for God. He lived a perfect life of devotion and obedience to God, even when it cost Him His life. He is our example of what it means to be truly and completely devoted to God and to live our lives to do His will.
Conclusion
Hallow is an important concept in the Bible and it is one that speaks of God’s holiness and how we are to be devoted to Him. It reminds us of God’s holiness and how we are to follow His commands and reflect that holiness in our lives. We must always remember that we are to be set apart and devoted to God, and that this is the goal of our lives. God loves us and desires that we live in accordance with His holiness, now and forever.
