Imamat 19:2

19:2 “Speak to the whole congregation of the Israelites and tell them, ‘You must be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.

Imamat 19:1

Religious and Social Regulations

19:1 The Lord spoke to Moses:

1 Samuel 2:2

2:2 No one is holy ¹  like the Lord!

There is no one other than you!

There is no rock ²  like our God!

1 Samuel 2:1

Hannah Exalts the Lord in Prayer

2:1 Hannah prayed, ³ 

“My heart rejoices in the Lord;

my horn ⁴  is exalted high because of the Lord.

I loudly denounce ⁵  my enemies,

for I am happy that you delivered me. ⁶ 

1 Tawarikh 16:29

16:29 Ascribe to the Lord the splendor he deserves! ⁷ 

Bring an offering and enter his presence!

Worship the Lord in holy attire! ⁸ 

Mazmur 99:3

99:3 Let them praise your great and awesome name!

He ⁹  is holy!

[2:2]  ¹ sn In this context God’s holiness refers primarily to his sovereignty and incomparability. He is unique and distinct from all other so-called gods.

[2:2]  ² tn The LXX has “and there is none righteous like our God.” The Hebrew term translated “rock” refers to a rocky cliff where one can seek refuge from enemies. Here the metaphor depicts God as a protector of his people. Cf. TEV “no protector like our God”; CEV “We’re safer with you than on a high mountain.”

[2:1]  ³ tn Heb “prayed and said.” This is somewhat redundant in contemporary English and has been simplified in the translation.

[2:1]  ⁴ sn Horns of animals have always functioned as both offensive and defensive weapons for them. As a figure of speech the horn is therefore often used in the Bible as a symbol of human strength (see also in v. 10). The allusion in v. 1 to the horn being lifted high suggests a picture of an animal elevating its head in a display of strength or virility.

[2:1]  ⁵ tn Heb “my mouth opens wide against.”

[2:1]  ⁶ tn Heb “for I rejoice in your deliverance.”

[16:29]  ⁷ tn Heb “the splendor of [i.e., due] his name.”

[16:29]  ⁸ tn Or “in holy splendor.”

[99:3]  ⁹ tn The pronoun refers to the Lord himself (see vv. 5, 9).