Lexical Summary qaddish: Holy, sacred Original Word: קַדִּישׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance holy One, saint (Aramaic) corresponding to qadowsh. --holy (One), saint. see HEBREW qadowsh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to qadosh Definition holy NASB Translation holy (4), holy one (2), holy ones (1), saints (6). Brown-Driver-Briggs קַדִּישׁ adjective holy; — absolute ׳ק Daniel 4:10; Daniel 4:20; plural שִׁין- Daniel 4:5 +, construct שֵׁי- Daniel 7:18 +; — gods Daniel 4:5; Daniel 4:6; Daniel 4:15; Daniel 5:11; as substantive, of angels Daniel 4:10; Daniel 4:14; Daniel 4:20; of Israel (as holy ones, saints) Daniel 7:21,22, קַדִּישֵׁי עֶלְיוֺנִין saints of the Most High Daniel 7:18; Daniel 7:22; Daniel 7:25; Daniel 7:27. Topical Lexicon Range of meaning קַדִּישׁ (qaddiysh) appears exclusively in the Aramaic sections of Daniel. The term denotes that which is set apart for God—whether celestial beings, human believers, or even divine attributes. In every occurrence it underscores separateness from the common and alignment with the purposes of the Most High. Occurrences in Daniel Thirteen appearances cluster in Daniel 4, 5, and 7: Daniel 4:8, 4:9, 4:13, 4:17, 4:18, 4:23; Daniel 5:11; Daniel 7:18, 7:21, 7:22 (twice), 7:25, 7:27. The distribution divides naturally into two themes—“holy gods/watchers” (chapters 4–5) and “saints of the Most High” (chapter 7). The holy watchers (Daniel 4–5) Nebuchadnezzar repeatedly describes Daniel as one “in whom is the spirit of the holy gods” (Daniel 4:8). The king, still speaking as a pagan, discerns genuine holiness even while expressing it in polytheistic language. The heavenly messenger of Daniel 4:13 is called both a “watcher” and a “holy one,” highlighting the moral purity of angels who execute God’s decrees: “This matter is by the decree of the watchers, the verdict by the command of the holy ones” (Daniel 4:17). For exiles in Babylon, these verses affirmed that God’s holy realm actively governed the affairs of emperors. The saints of the Most High (Daniel 7) In Daniel’s night visions the focus shifts from angelic holiness to the covenant people: Here qaddiysh designates believers who persevere under oppression yet ultimately inherit dominion. Their holiness is derivative, granted by the Ancient of Days and vindicated in the final judgment. The repetition (five times in nine verses) intensifies the promise that holiness will triumph over political tyranny embodied in the little horn. Theological themes 1. Holiness as God-centred: Whether angel or believer, holiness flows from relationship to “the Most High.” Historical context The Aramaic portions of Daniel (Daniel 2:4b–7:28) address a Gentile milieu, yet the vocabulary of holiness remains consistent with Hebrew qādōsh. In the sixth-century exile, Israel encountered a culture saturated with idolatry, making the concept of separateness vital. By using the same root known from the Torah and Prophets, Daniel bridges pre-exilic revelation with his present context and with future expectation. Links to New Testament usage The Septuagint renders קַדִּישׁ with ἅγιος (hagios), the standard Greek term for saints. Thus Daniel’s vision prepares the way for Paul’s frequent address to churches as “saints” (for example, Ephesians 1:1), reinforcing canonical unity. Ministry significance • Identity: Believers today stand in the same lineage of “saints of the Most High,” called to reflect God’s character amid secular pressures. Summary קַדִּישׁ threads through Daniel as a banner of hope: heaven’s holy ones oversee history, and earth’s holy ones will inherit it. The word therefore calls every generation to steadfast, set-apart living in view of a kingdom that “will never be destroyed” (Daniel 2:44). Forms and Transliterations וְקַדִּ֔ישׁ וְקַדִּ֣ישׁ וּלְקַדִּישֵׁ֥י ולקדישי וקדיש לְקַדִּישֵׁ֖י לקדישי קַדִּישִֽׁין׃ קַדִּישִׁ֑ין קַדִּישִׁ֖ין קַדִּישִׁין֙ קַדִּישִׁין֮ קַדִּישֵׁ֖י קַדִּישֵׁ֣י קדישי קדישין קדישין׃ kaddiShei kaddiShin lə·qad·dî·šê lekaddiShei ləqaddîšê qad·dî·šê qad·dî·šîn qaddîšê qaddîšîn ū·lə·qad·dî·šê ulekaddiShei ūləqaddîšê vekadDish wə·qad·dîš wəqaddîšLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 4:8 HEB: רֽוּחַ־ אֱלָהִ֥ין קַדִּישִׁ֖ין בֵּ֑הּ וְחֶלְמָ֖א NAS: is a spirit of the holy gods; KJV: and in whom [is] the spirit of the holy gods: INT: spirit gods of the holy the dream before Daniel 4:9 Daniel 4:13 Daniel 4:17 Daniel 4:18 Daniel 4:23 Daniel 5:11 Daniel 7:18 Daniel 7:21 Daniel 7:22 Daniel 7:22 Daniel 7:25 Daniel 7:27 13 Occurrences |
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