qo.desh denotes what is set apart in sacred places, objects, persons, and references to the LORD’s name.

The term most often marks a sacred location, including inner sanctuary areas, a heavenly habitation, and a mountain associated with holiness. It also identifies dedicated articles and bread, describes holiness connected with the LORD’s name and worship, and characterizes persons, ritual standing, covenants, and a people as set apart.

1. Sacred place or sanctuary area · dominant

   In location clauses, the noun marks the inner area where the ark is brought: in 1 Kings 8:6 the APB renders the destination "into the inner sanctuary of the house, into the most holy place." It also occurs where impurity is removed from a holy place in 2 Chronicles 29:5 and where a sanctuary is to be restored in Daniel 8:14.

   1 Kings 6:161 Kings 8:62 Chronicles 29:52 Chronicles 30:27Daniel 8:14Daniel 11:45
2. Dedicated articles and provisions · common

   Plural and singular noun forms occur with treasuries, temple articles, and bread. In 1 Chronicles 26:20 the APB renders "the treasuries of the holy things," while 1 Samuel 21:6 describes bread given by the priest as "holy bread."

   1 Chronicles 9:291 Chronicles 26:201 Chronicles 26:261 Kings 8:41 Kings 15:151 Samuel 21:6
3. Holiness associated with the LORD · occasional

   Construct forms connect the noun with the LORD’s name and with an oath. In 1 Chronicles 16:10 the APB renders "the name of his holiness," and in Amos 4:2 it renders that the Lord GOD "has sworn by his holiness." In worship language, 1 Chronicles 16:29 speaks of "the splendor of holiness."

   1 Chronicles 16:101 Chronicles 16:291 Chronicles 16:351 Chronicles 29:162 Chronicles 20:21Amos 4:2
4. Consecrated persons and ritual standing · occasional

   The noun occurs in clauses concerning persons who may enter, cleanse themselves, or take their assigned position. In 2 Chronicles 23:6 the APB says that the priests and ministering Levites may enter "because they are holy," and in 2 Chronicles 35:5 it instructs the Levites to "Stand in holiness" according to their divisions.

   1 Samuel 21:52 Chronicles 23:62 Chronicles 31:182 Chronicles 35:32 Chronicles 35:5Daniel 12:7
5. Set-apart covenant and related entities · rare

   The noun qualifies entities treated as holy in Daniel’s visions. In Daniel 11:28 the APB renders "the holy covenant," and Daniel 11:45 refers to "the beautiful mountain of holiness."

   Daniel 11:28Daniel 11:30Daniel 11:45Daniel 12:7

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB variously presents the term in phrases such as "holy place," "most holy place," "holy things," and "splendor of holiness." These renderings show the sense of their clauses rather than a fixed English equivalent for every occurrence.