Why We Translate “Holy” and “Holiness” as “神圣” and “Hallow” and “Hallowed” as “圣洁” in the Chinese Textus Receptus Bible

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Why We Translate “Holy” and “Holiness” as “神圣” and “Hallow” and “Hallowed” as “圣洁” in the Chinese Textus Receptus Bible

In the translation work of the Chinese Textus Receptus Bible (《中文公认文本书集》), every core term has undergone repeated refinement and careful consideration. For “holy” (adjective) and “holiness” (noun), we consistently render them as “神圣”, “神圣的”, and “神圣性”. For “hallow” and “hallowed”, we render them as “圣洁” and “圣洁的”. This distinction is not arbitrary, but is made to more precisely restore the rich layers of the original text while avoiding potential misunderstandings.

We do not consider the rendering “圣洁” to be wrong, but rather that it is insufficient. It tends to direct readers’ attention primarily toward external “cleanness” or moral behavior, making it difficult to fully convey the deeper ontological meaning contained in “holy / holiness” — that profound sense of “being extremely set apart unto God” in supreme purity. This is the very misunderstanding we most wish to avoid.

“神圣” More Closely Captures the Original Sense of “Separation”

Throughout the entire Bible, the most central and frequently recurring meaning of “holy” and “holiness” is “being set apart, cut off / designated as exclusive, completely separated from anything incompatible” (from Hebrew qādôš = set apart / separate; Greek hágios = set apart / consecrated).

It always carries two inseparable dimensions:

Essential / Ontological level: Absolute “otherness,” transcending all created boundaries, possessing a unique and supreme “alterity” (otherness). The strongest expression is the triple repetition: “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). This is an infinite emphasis on God’s essence — His “separateness-purity” reaches an incomparable, limitless degree.
Relational / Moral level: In total opposition to defilement, sin, uncleanness, mixture, and the profane; whatever is set apart must maintain “unblemished purity.”

Therefore, “神圣” is not merely “moral excellence” or “goodness,” but “extreme separation into purity” — this is God’s signature attribute and His ultimate call to His chosen people (e.g., Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15–16: “Be holy, for I am holy”).

One-sentence summary: Holiness = extreme separation unto God + extreme freedom from all impurity, running through the priestly/tabernacle system of the Old Testament, the assembly/believer identity of the New Testament, and the entire Bible’s declaration about God.

“神圣” Better Conveys Inner “Purification” Rather Than External “Washing”

Traditional renderings sometimes lead readers to associate “圣洁” mainly with external rituals such as washing with water or sacrificial cleansing. However, the text of the Bible repeatedly shows that true cleansing is essentially an inner process of separation and purification.

For example:

Zechariah 13:9: “I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them, as silver is refined; and will try them, as gold is tried.”
Malachi 3:2–3: “But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.”
Hebrews 9:14: “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

The “purification / refining / purging” here is not a surface rinsing with water, but a fire-refining-like separation of impurities: removing erroneous thought patterns, old habits, and the roots of sin from within, leaving only what is pure and able to bear God’s presence. This is precisely the essence of repentance — an inner “separation and purification.”

Simply put, “神圣” (holy / holiness) refers to God’s essential attribute and the state of being set apart, while “圣洁” (hallow / hallowed) refers to the action of bringing something or someone into, or treating it as, the state of holiness. Therefore, we use “神圣” to carry the deeper ontological and inner purification meaning of “holy / holiness,” and reserve “圣洁” for the action or result of “hallow / hallowed,” avoiding the reduction of holiness to mere external cleanness.

The Meticulous Care in Word Choice in the Chinese Textus Receptus Bible

The Chinese Textus Receptus Bible takes the KJV as its base text and adheres strictly to a word-for-word translation philosophy. After years of repeated revision, every key term is crafted to come as close as possible to the original imagery and theological depth. We are not content with “roughly correct meaning”; we strive to allow Chinese readers to directly experience the precise power and vivid imagery of the Received Text.

For this reason, we have been so careful in distinguishing “神圣” from “圣洁,” just as we have been meticulous with “新遗嘱” and “旧遗嘱,” or “the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters,” and many other expressions. None of these are arbitrary changes. They exist so that every reader, upon opening the pages, may come closer to the solemnity, separation, and glory that God originally intended to convey.

This level of care makes the Chinese Textus Receptus Bible a truly “rediscovered” translation. It is not merely another Chinese version; it is an invitation to enter these eternal texts with fresh, unfiltered eyes and discover the hidden wisdom and power within. Many readers, upon encountering it, have been deeply moved by the clarity and impact brought by this literal fidelity, and have once again experienced the abundant inheritance from God.

We warmly invite every truth-seeker to open the Chinese Textus Receptus Bible in person, and in the declaration “Holy, holy, holy,” to anew apprehend the one, separated, supreme God, and His ultimate call to us: “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)

—— Compilation Team of the Chinese Textus Receptus Bible (Based on the translation philosophy of the Received Text and the literal rendering of the KJV)