holy

Everyday

1. Holy means special because it is connected with God or a religion, and treated with deep respect. tree →
2. Holy describes a person who is very religious and good. tree →
3. (informal) "Holy cow!" or "Holy moly!" are cries of surprise. tree →

In the lessons

In religious education: holy books (the Bible, the Qur'an, the Torah), holy places, holy days. In comics and everyday speech: mild exclamations of surprise. Phrases: holy book, holy water, holy place, Holy cow, Holy moly.

Examples

• The Qur'an is the holy book of Islam. tree →
• Jerusalem is a holy city for many religions. tree →
• The priest sprinkled holy water. tree →
• Holy cow, that wave is huge! tree →
• The monk lived a holy life. tree →
• Many people visit holy places on pilgrimages. tree →
• "You have killed the holy woman!" tree →

Note

Homophone trap: holy (religious) sounds like "wholly" (completely) and almost like "holey" (full of holes). Holiday comes from "holy day". Exclamations like "Holy cow!" are informal.

In Jewish tradition

Set apart for God, such as the sabbath, the priests and offerings. "Most holy" meant the highest level of sacred things. It also describes places such as God's "holy mountain", and "holy ones" can mean angels.

Interpretation. Kadosh means set apart. The Sabbath is holy in time, and Israel is told "Be holy, for I am holy." Most holy offerings could be eaten only by priests in the sanctuary. The holy mountain is read as Zion and the Temple, and "holy ones" as heavenly beings.

Examples

• Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Torah EXO.20.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• Every male among the priests may eat thereof; it is most holy. (Torah LEV.6.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• And this is the law of the guilt-offering: it is most holy. (Torah LEV.7.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• Who shall dwell upon Thy holy mountain? (Writings PSA.15.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• His foundation is in the holy mountains. (Writings PSA.87.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• And to which of the holy ones wilt thou turn? (Writings JOB.5.1, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Homophone trap: holy (religious) sounds like "wholly" (completely) and almost like "holey" (full of holes). Holiday comes from "holy day". Exclamations like "Holy cow!" are informal.