Editor’s Note this is a rewrite and republication of the blog post “Who Is God? Jehovah-M'kaddesh (Mekoddishkem) – The Lord Who Sanctifies You (Sets You Apart) originally published July 7, 2017.
My proper name is Donald, but I’m also called dad, father, grandpa, son, uncle, brother, nephew, and pastor along with others. Each of these is a name for me which describes certain attributes. God’s proper name is Jehovah, but as with you and me His is known by other names that describe Him.
When God reveals Himself to us through His names, He isn't just giving us a title; He is revealing His character and His specific purpose for our lives. One of the most profound names of God revealed in the Old Testament is Jehovah-M'kaddesh (often transliterated as Jehovah Mekoddishkem): The Lord Who Sanctifies You.
To understand this name is to understand your true identity and calling. You are not meant to blend in; you have been intentionally set apart.
The Meaning Behind the Name
The name comes from the Hebrew root word qadash, which means to be holy, consecrated, or set apart for a sacred purpose. When paired with the covenant name of God (Jehovah/Yahweh), it becomes a powerful declaration: Holiness is not something we achieve on our own; it is something God works within us.
While other names of God reveal His power as our Provider (Jehovah-Jireh) or our Healer (Jehovah-Rapha), Jehovah-M'kaddesh strikes at the very core of our spiritual state. He is the God who rescues us from the ordinary, cleanses us from the brokenness of sin, and reserves us for His divine use.
A Call to Be Distinct
The primary revelation of this name occurs in the book of Exodus, as God is establishing His covenant with the Israelites, instructing them on how to live as a reflection of His glory to the surrounding nations.
Exodus 31:13 NKJV Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you [Jehovah-M’kaddesh] (emphasis mine)
Later, in Leviticus, God reiterates this foundational truth:
Leviticus 20:7-8 NKJV Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. And you shall keep My statutes, and perform them: I am the Lord who sanctifies you. [Jehovah-M’kaddesh] (emphasis mine)
In the New Testament, the Apostle Peter carries this exact theme forward to the modern believer, reminding us that our separation from the world is an honor, not a burden:
I Peter 2:9-10 NKJV But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Understanding Sanctification
Sanctification can be generally defined as being separate or set apart. In the case of the Christian, we are set apart for God and we are separate from the world.
Sanctification is the process of being set apart for God's work and being conformed to the image of Christ.
Romans 8:28-30 (NKJV)28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Salvation is the work of God alone. We don’t have anything to do with it and we can’t earn it.
Ephesians 2:8 (NKJV)8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
Salvation is instantaneous sanctification is a process. Salvation comes from outside of us, from God, sanctification comes from within us by the work of the Holy Spirit. Sanctification is the divine process by which Christians become more and more like Christ. It is a divine process because the changes in the life of the Christian are produced by the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Those changes are not the result of self-improvement efforts. They are the result of the power of God renewing the heart and mind of the Christian.
What Jehovah-M'kaddesh Means for You Today
Understanding God as your Sanctifier shifts your perspective on daily Christian living in three profound ways:
1. The Burden is Off Your Shoulders
True holiness is not a checklist of rigid rules or a performance trap. If we could make ourselves holy, we wouldn't need a Savior. Jehovah-M'kaddesh reminds us that sanctification is a divine partnership. He does the heavy lifting of transforming our hearts; our job is to remain open, obedient, and yielded to His pruning hand.
2. You Have a Unique Purpose
When an object in the Old Testament was "sanctified," it was taken out of common, everyday circulation and dedicated strictly to the service of God's temple. You are no longer common. Your life, your talents, your career, and your family have been set apart for a distinct, heavenly purpose.
3. You Can Embrace Being Different
When you don't fit in with the culture around you—when your priorities, your speech, and your integrity look drastically different from the world's—do not be discouraged. That friction is simply the evidence of Jehovah-M'kaddesh at work. He is keeping you distinct so that your life can serve as a beacon of His grace.
A Prayer to Jehovah-M'kaddesh
Lord God, You are Jehovah-M'kaddesh, the Lord who sanctifies me. Thank You for choosing me, cleansing me, and setting me apart for Your divine purposes. Forgive me for the times I have tried to blend into the world instead of standing firm in the holiness You have called me to. I yield my heart, my mind, and my priorities to You today. Transform me from the inside out, and let my life be a living testimony of Your grace
My proper name is Donald, but I’m also called dad, father, grandpa, son, uncle, brother, nephew, and pastor along with others. Each of these is a name for me which describes certain attributes. God’s proper name is Jehovah, but as with you and me His is known by other names that describe Him.
When God reveals Himself to us through His names, He isn't just giving us a title; He is revealing His character and His specific purpose for our lives. One of the most profound names of God revealed in the Old Testament is Jehovah-M'kaddesh (often transliterated as Jehovah Mekoddishkem): The Lord Who Sanctifies You.
To understand this name is to understand your true identity and calling. You are not meant to blend in; you have been intentionally set apart.
The Meaning Behind the Name
The name comes from the Hebrew root word qadash, which means to be holy, consecrated, or set apart for a sacred purpose. When paired with the covenant name of God (Jehovah/Yahweh), it becomes a powerful declaration: Holiness is not something we achieve on our own; it is something God works within us.
While other names of God reveal His power as our Provider (Jehovah-Jireh) or our Healer (Jehovah-Rapha), Jehovah-M'kaddesh strikes at the very core of our spiritual state. He is the God who rescues us from the ordinary, cleanses us from the brokenness of sin, and reserves us for His divine use.
A Call to Be Distinct
The primary revelation of this name occurs in the book of Exodus, as God is establishing His covenant with the Israelites, instructing them on how to live as a reflection of His glory to the surrounding nations.
Exodus 31:13 NKJV Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you [Jehovah-M’kaddesh] (emphasis mine)
Later, in Leviticus, God reiterates this foundational truth:
Leviticus 20:7-8 NKJV Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. And you shall keep My statutes, and perform them: I am the Lord who sanctifies you. [Jehovah-M’kaddesh] (emphasis mine)
In the New Testament, the Apostle Peter carries this exact theme forward to the modern believer, reminding us that our separation from the world is an honor, not a burden:
I Peter 2:9-10 NKJV But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Understanding Sanctification
Sanctification can be generally defined as being separate or set apart. In the case of the Christian, we are set apart for God and we are separate from the world.
Sanctification is the process of being set apart for God's work and being conformed to the image of Christ.
Romans 8:28-30 (NKJV)28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Salvation is the work of God alone. We don’t have anything to do with it and we can’t earn it.
Ephesians 2:8 (NKJV)8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
Salvation is instantaneous sanctification is a process. Salvation comes from outside of us, from God, sanctification comes from within us by the work of the Holy Spirit. Sanctification is the divine process by which Christians become more and more like Christ. It is a divine process because the changes in the life of the Christian are produced by the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Those changes are not the result of self-improvement efforts. They are the result of the power of God renewing the heart and mind of the Christian.
What Jehovah-M'kaddesh Means for You Today
Understanding God as your Sanctifier shifts your perspective on daily Christian living in three profound ways:
1. The Burden is Off Your Shoulders
True holiness is not a checklist of rigid rules or a performance trap. If we could make ourselves holy, we wouldn't need a Savior. Jehovah-M'kaddesh reminds us that sanctification is a divine partnership. He does the heavy lifting of transforming our hearts; our job is to remain open, obedient, and yielded to His pruning hand.
2. You Have a Unique Purpose
When an object in the Old Testament was "sanctified," it was taken out of common, everyday circulation and dedicated strictly to the service of God's temple. You are no longer common. Your life, your talents, your career, and your family have been set apart for a distinct, heavenly purpose.
3. You Can Embrace Being Different
When you don't fit in with the culture around you—when your priorities, your speech, and your integrity look drastically different from the world's—do not be discouraged. That friction is simply the evidence of Jehovah-M'kaddesh at work. He is keeping you distinct so that your life can serve as a beacon of His grace.
A Prayer to Jehovah-M'kaddesh
Lord God, You are Jehovah-M'kaddesh, the Lord who sanctifies me. Thank You for choosing me, cleansing me, and setting me apart for Your divine purposes. Forgive me for the times I have tried to blend into the world instead of standing firm in the holiness You have called me to. I yield my heart, my mind, and my priorities to You today. Transform me from the inside out, and let my life be a living testimony of Your grace
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