This is a study I did on the use of a term that is found in the Old Testament. I thought I would post it since it was a blessing to me. Tim
An examination of the term “Holy One”
The “holy one” is used in Psalms, Proverbs, and the prophets. The use of the “holy one” is simply going to be evaluated as it is used throughout the Old Testament. After this observation of the use of the term is examined in the Old Testament, then we will look to the New Testaments understanding of the term. The different uses and nuances will be exposed by an evaluation of each time it is used. The purpose is to see if the “holy one” is used for more than a reference to Christ the messiah. Further, the purpose is to show how the term is used to describe God.
Observations
2Kings 19:22 ‘Whom have you reproached and blasphemed? And against whom have you raised your voice, And haughtily lifted up your eyes? Against the Holy One of Israel!” This is the first mention of the term Holy one in the Old Testament. Notice that the reproach and blasphemy is against God. Further the raised voice and eyes lifted high are also against God. However in this case “Holy One of Israel” is used. This connects the Holy one to God.
Job 6:10 “But it is still my consolation, And I rejoice in unsparing pain, That I have not denied the words of the Holy One.” Notice that job rejoices in the midst of his pain, since he did not deny the words of the “Holy One”. Once more the “Holy One” is taking the place of God.
Psalms 16:10 For Thou wilt not abandon my soul to Sheol; Neither wilt Thou allow Thy Holy One to undergo decay.” This is the first use of the “Holy One” in the psalms. This one is a bit different in its wording. Notice that the one who rescues the psalmist from Sheol, is not the “Holy One”. Further more the “Holy one” is being preserved and is not allowed to undergo decay.
Psalms 71:22 ¶ I will also praise Thee with a harp, Even Thy truth, O my God; To Thee I will sing praises with the lyre, O Thou Holy One of Israel.” This mention of the “Holy One” directly links God with the “Holy One”. Notice that the “Holy One” is also connected with Israel. If “Holy One” is being used in place of God this could be the God of Israel.
Psalms 78:41 “And again and again they tempted God, And pained the Holy One of Israel.” If the “Holy One” is to be understood as represenative of God then it would seem that the two persons of represented here are God the father and Jesus Christ as the “Holy One of Israel”
Psalms 89:18 “For our shield belongs to the LORD, And our king to the Holy One of Israel.” The king belongs to the “Holy One”. In other scripture it is clear that the King is subjected to God.
Psalms 106:16 ¶ “When they became envious of Moses in the camp, And of Aaron, the holy one of the LORD,” This is a different use of the term then that, which has been used. The reason is that it is modifying Aaron directly as the “holy one of the Lord”. This shows more that he is the set apart one of the Lord. I do not consider this to be the same as the other usages of “holy one”. It is an indication of a chosen person instead of a reference to Christ or God.
Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Again the knowledge of God which, is the “Holy one” in here is understanding.
Proverbs 30:3 “Neither have I learned wisdom, Nor do I have the knowledge of the Holy One.” The opposite is true in this proverb. He has not learned wisdom so he has not found the knowledge of the “Holy one”.
Isaiah 1:4 ¶ “Alas, sinful nation, People weighed down with iniquity, Offspring of evildoers, Sons who act corruptly! They have abandoned the LORD, They have despised the Holy One of Israel, They have turned away from Him.” This is an instance where Isaiah is describing the harlotry of Israel. They left God (Holy One) and have gone off to other gods.
Isaiah 5:19 “Who say, “Let Him make speed, let Him hasten His work, that we may see it; And let the purpose of the Holy One of Israel draw near And come to pass, that we may know it!” This is the beginning of the imagery of the “Holy one” becoming seen as the redeemer. It is specific in other scriptures that the “Holy one” is indeed the redeemer.
Isaiah 5:24 ¶ “Therefore, as a tongue of fire consumes stubble, And dry grass collapses into the flame, So their root will become like rot and their blossom blow away as dust; For they have rejected the law of the LORD of hosts, And despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.” If one sees the “Holy One” as equivalent to Jesus Christ then one could say that he is being seen as the word here as John calls him in his gospel. Any way you interpret it this “Holy One” is responsible for scripture.
Isaiah 10:17 “And the light of Israel will become a fire and his Holy One a flame, And it will burn and devour his thorns and his briars in a single day.” The “Holy One” is also seen as a judge in this passage. He is coming in light to judge with fire.
Isaiah 10:20 ¶ “Now it will come about in that day that the remnant of Israel, and those of the house of Jacob who have escaped, will never again rely on the one who struck them, but will truly rely on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.” The Lord is the “Holy One” in this passage. He is the one that the nation of Israel will rely upon and trust in. It seems echo the remnant of Israel found in Romans 9-11.
Isaiah 12:6 “Cry aloud and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah talks about how the “Holy One” is in the midst of the people. This is a characteristic of Christ, as he is Emanuel.
Isaiah 17:7 “In that day man will have regard for his Maker, And his eyes will look to the Holy One of Israel.” This seems to indicate that one-day when Israel has regard for His God and creator then, Israel will look to the “Holy One”. This again points to the redemption aspect of the “Holy One” .
Isaiah 29:19 “The afflicted also shall increase their gladness in the LORD, And the needy of mankind shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.” Again praise is being attributed to the “Holy one” of Israel as God.
Isaiah 29:23 “But when he sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst, They will sanctify My name; Indeed, they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, And will stand in awe of the God of Israel.” This one shows the “Holy One” being sanctified. He is being is part of who a true believer worships.
Isaiah 30:11 “Get out of the way, turn aside from the path, Let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 30:12 “Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel, “Since you have rejected this word, And have put your trust in oppression and guile, and have relied on them,” “Holy One is first seen as the Lord that the people will not hear. Perhaps a mere messanger in verse one but defiantly as God in verse 12.
Isaiah 30:15 “For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, “In repentance and rest you shall be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength.” But you were not willing,” A clear declaration of the Lord God being the “Holy One” in this verse. He is also connected with redemption even though the people are not willing.”
Isaiah 31:1 ¶ “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, And rely on horses, And trust in chariots because they are many, And in horsemen because they are very strong, But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD!” This is again relying on the redemption aspect that the “Holy One” represents.
Isaiah 40:25 “To whom then will you liken Me That I should be his equal?” says the Holy One.” The “Holy One” is distinct and not able to be compared to anyone. Perhaps an allusion foreshadowing Christ in comparison to Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah, and other Old Testament prophets.
Isaiah 41:14 “Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel; I will help you,” declares the LORD, “and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.” A clear identification of the, “Holy One” as the redeemer of Israel. An inferred conclusion is then made that this is a term that applies to Christ since Christ is the redeemer.
Isaiah 41:16 “You will winnow them, and the wind will carry them away, And the storm will scatter them; But you will rejoice in the LORD, You will glory in the Holy One of Israel.” This can be seen as a reference to Christ in 3:12 when John uses this description of the “Holy One” to describe Christ.
Isaiah 41:20 “That they may see and recognize, And consider and gain insight as well, That the hand of the LORD has done this, And the Holy One of Israel has created it.”
Isaiah 43:3 “For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I have given Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place.” Now “Holy One” is identified as the savior. He saved them in the physical sense in these verses.
Isaiah 43:14 ¶ Thus says the LORD your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, “For your sake I have sent to Babylon, And will bring them all down as fugitives, Even the Chaldeans, into the ships in which they rejoice.” The role of judge is given to the “Holy One” even though he is identified as redeemer and Lord. These seem to be descriptions that the “Holy One” has become identified with throughout Isaiah more than roles in this instance.
Isaiah 43:15 “I am the LORD, your Holy One, The Creator of Israel, your King.” The role of creator is now given to the “Holy One”.
Isaiah 45:11 ¶ Thus says the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: “Ask Me about the things to come concerning My sons, And you shall commit to Me the work of My hands.” The Lord is again the God and creator of Israel.
Isaiah 47:4 “Our Redeemer, the LORD of hosts is His name, The Holy One of Israel.” The Lord is the Redeemer of Israel and is identified as having the name “The Holy One of Israel”.
Isaiah 48:17 ¶ “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way you should go.” God as the “Holy One” is the redeemer and leader of Israel.
Isaiah 49:7 “Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and its Holy One, To the despised One, To the One abhorred by the nation, To the Servant of rulers, “Kings shall see and arise, Princes shall also bow down; Because of the LORD who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel who has chosen You.” The supreme rule of the “Holy One” is shown here to be above the nations.
Isaiah 54:5 “For your husband is your Maker, Whose name is the LORD of hosts; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, Who is called the God of all the earth.” Clear identification of the “Holy One” as God.
Isaiah 55:5 “Behold, you will call a nation you do not know, And a nation which knows you not will run to you, Because of the LORD your God, even the Holy One of Israel; For He has glorified you.” The same Redeemer and God is the one who glorifies his people as the “Holy One”.
Isaiah 60:9 “Surely the coastlands will wait for Me; And the ships of Tarshish will come first, To bring your sons from afar, Their silver and their gold with them, For the name of the LORD your God, And for the Holy One of Israel because He has glorified you.” The Lord as the “Holy One” glorifies His people.
Isaiah 60:14 “And the sons of those who afflicted you will come bowing to you, And all those who despised you will bow themselves at the soles of your feet; And they will call you the city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.” This shows that people who have despised the Lord will come and bow down to him. It seems that God is identified as the “Holy One” constantly as reference to his essence.
Jeremiah 50:29 ¶ “Summon many against Babylon, All those who bend the bow: Encamp against her on every side, Let there be no escape. Repay her according to her work; According to all that she has done, so do to her; For she has become arrogant against the LORD, Against the Holy One of Israel.” The children of Israel are arrogant against their Lord their “Holy One” so they deserve the judgment coming on them.
Jeremiah 51:5 ¶ For neither Israel nor Judah has been forsaken By his God, the LORD of hosts, Although their land is full of guilt Before the Holy One of Israel.” God in his character of Holiness is put in opposition to the guilty sinners of Judah standing before their holy God.
Ezekiel 39:7 ¶ “And My holy name I shall make known in the midst of My people Israel; and I shall not let My holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations will know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.” This is Holy One is shown as a distinguishing factor. It is what separates and exults God. It is a title of honor and reference that God has chosen to take for Him.
Daniel 4:13 ¶ “I was looking in the visions in my mind as I lay on my bed, and behold, an angelic watcher, a holy one, descended from heaven.” Here is another instance where “holy one” is not making reference to God. This time it is indicated by the article “a” in contrast to the normal “the” when reference is made to God. Also, it is clear that an angel is being described and it is not a specific holy one.
Daniel 4:23 ‘And in that the king saw an angelic watcher, a holy one, descending from heaven and saying, “Chop down the tree and destroy it; yet leave the stump with its roots in the ground, but with a band of iron and bronze around it in the new grass of the field, and let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him share with the beasts of the field until seven periods of time pass over him”; “Holy one” is once more used to describe an angel. It follows the previous mention of “a” and not “the” as “holy one” is clearly connected to an angelic messenger.
Daniel 8:13 “Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to that particular one who was speaking, “How long will the vision about the regular sacrifice apply, while the transgression causes horror, so as to allow both the holy place and the host to be trampled?” Daniel uses “holy one” here to talk about angels as they are in conversation with each other.
Hosea 11:9 “I will not execute My fierce anger; I will not destroy Ephraim again. For I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst, And I will not come in wrath.” The “Holy One” is once more God demonstrating his office of judge upon Israel. He is choosing to have mercy on the tribe of Ephraim.
Hosea 11:12 ¶ “Ephraim surrounds Me with lies, And the house of Israel with deceit; Judah is also unruly against God, Even against the Holy One who is faithful.” The distinction between God and Holy One seems to be making a distinction in the term as to which person in the God head it makes mention to. It is intended to show the faithfulness of Christ.
Habakkuk 1:12 ¶ “Art Thou not from everlasting, O LORD, my God, my Holy One? We will not die. Thou, O LORD, hast appointed them to judge; And Thou, O Rock, hast established them to correct.” “Holy One” here is used as a term to describe God. It is a term that by this time has clearly been identified as a title for God. So the prophet uses it as a title for God.
Habakkuk 3:3 ¶ “God comes from Teman, And the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah. His splendor covers the heavens, And the earth is full of His praise.” Again an attesting to the God as the “Holy One”.
Mark 1:24 saying, “What do we have to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are — the Holy One of God!” This demon within a man recognizes Christ as the “Holy One”. It is statements like this in the New Testament that clearly link Jesus Christ to the “Holy One” that we can now read Christ as being the “Holy One” of the Old Testament.
Luke 4:34 “Ha! What do we have to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are — the Holy One of God!” This is a parallel account of Mark 1:24.
John 6:69 “And we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.” Peter is making the connection of Christ as being the “Holy One”.
Acts 2:27 Because Thou wilt not abandon my soul to Hades, Nor allow Thy Holy One to undergo decay.” In Acts 2:31 Peter states that David was talking of Christ Jesus and how he resurrected from the dead and did not suffer decay nor descend down to Hades. The New Testament explanation of this psalm allows us to clearly see the Messianic implications of this psalm and the connection of “Holy One” to Jesus Christ.
Acts 13:35 “Therefore He also says in another Psalm, ‘Thou wilt not allow Thy Holy One to undergo decay.’ Once more this teaching is shown not to be a reference to David in the explanation given in Acts 13. It is applied to Jesus Christ.
1Peter 1:15 “but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;” This is used to say that we are to be like Jesus Christ who behavior we are to emulate. He is also using this term to describe the character of God as also found in the Old Testament.
1John 2:20 “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know.” Notice John is drawing on the anointing work of Jesus Christ as spoken of in the Old Testament.
Revelation 16:5 “And I heard the angel of the waters saying, “Righteous art Thou, who art and who wast, O Holy One, because Thou didst judge these things;” The “Holy One” is further seen as the judge in Revelation.
The term “Holy One” as surveyed has been shown to have many different uses. It speaks of the very nature of God and His Holiness. However, it has been shown to be much more than just a statement of the Holiness of God. It has been connected over and over with aspects of redeemer, judge, king, savior, and ultimately Jesus Christ. While it is unclear through only the reading of the Old Testament that this term is to be used to describe Jesus Christ. The New Testament writers make it clear that Christ is the “Holy One”. With this progression of revelation that we have one can say with confidence that the “Holy One” when it is referring to God is a reference to Christ Jesus. Further no characteristic of the “Holy One as the Redeemer, creator, savior and many other are not found in the New Testament with reference to Christ. The clear indicator that Christ is the “Holy One” that did not undergo decay in Acts 2, and 13 also allows us to make this application of Christ as the “Holy One”.
“Holy one” is also used to describe angels and people used of God. It is easy make these distinctions. The term is not definite in that it uses “a” instead of “the” and goes on to identify an “holy one” used of God. “Holy One” used of Christ is often connected with his roles as redeemer. Other times “Holy One” clearly identified as God and Lord, making it easy to identify which use is intended.
In conclusion the term “Holy One” is used mainly throughout the Old and New Testament to make a reference to Christ with few exceptions of others who were set apart by God for specific task. The “Holy One” is a testimony to the character of God and the work of Christ Jesus throughout history and in His creation.