When we think about the word "saint," it often brings to mind someone special or set apart, and that’s exactly how the Scriptures describe it. Saints are those chosen by Yahuah for His purposes, but it’s more than just a title. It’s about Israel’s calling as Yah’s chosen people, a group set apart to reflect His glory and keep His covenant. Saints aren’t just individuals; they’re a community with a shared purpose, showing the world Yah’s righteousness through their faithfulness and obedience. So, what does it mean to be a saint in the Bible? Let’s dive into the Old and New Testaments to see how this idea unfolds and why it’s so closely tied to Israel’s identity as Yah’s elect.
Saints in the Old Testament: Israel as the Chosen People
The Old Testament clearly identifies Israel as Yah’s chosen people. This calling begins with the covenant Yah made with Abraham (Genesis 17:7-8), promising to make his descendants a great nation. It continues with the Law given at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:5-6), which establishes Israel as a holy nation and a kingdom of priests. Passages like Deuteronomy 7:6 affirm this special relationship: "For thou art a holy people unto Yahuah thy Elohim: Yahuah thy Elohim hath chosen thee to be a special people unto Himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth." This covenant relationship highlights Israel’s calling to live in obedience and reflect Yah’s holiness to the nations of the world.
The Hebrew words קָדוֹשׁ (qadosh) and חָסִיד (chasid) are often used to describe saints. Qadosh conveys the idea of being holy or set apart, emphasizing purity and dedication to Yah’s service. Chasid, on the other hand, highlights faithful devotion and loyalty to Yah’s covenant. These terms encapsulate Israel’s unique role as a people chosen to embody Yah’s holiness. For example, in Exodus 19:5-6, Yah declares Israel to be a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation." Isaiah 43:21 affirms this purpose, stating that Israel was formed to declare Yah’s praise. Additionally, Deuteronomy 4:6-8 explains that Israel’s obedience to Yah’s laws would demonstrate wisdom and understanding to other nations, making them a beacon of Yah’s glory.
Psalm 50:5: "Gather My saints (חֲסִידַי, chasidai) together unto Me; those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice."
Psalm 149:1: "Praise ye Yahuah. Sing unto Yahuah a new song, and His praise in the congregation of saints."
Psalm 149:5: "Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds."
Psalm 148:14: "He also exalteth the horn of His people, the praise of all His saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto Him. Praise ye Yahuah." This verse ties saints directly to Israel, emphasizing their covenant relationship with Yah.
Deuteronomy 33:3: "Yea, He loved the people; all His saints (קְדוֹשָׁיו, qedoshav) are in Thy hand..." This passage confirms that saints are Israel, Yah’s chosen nation, set apart for His purposes.
From the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai to prophetic promises of restoration (Isaiah 49:6, Jeremiah 31:31-34), the Old Testament consistently identifies saints as Israel, Yah’s elect. Their identity as saints is rooted in their obedience to Yah’s laws and their unique relationship with Him.
Saints in the New Testament: A Continuation of Israel’s Identity
The New Testament continues the narrative of the Old Testament, affirming that saints are the covenant people of Yah, Israel. This connection is evident in how the New Testament portrays sainthood as an extension of Israel’s calling to be holy and set apart. Saints are those who keep Yah’s commandments and embrace Yahusha as the promised Messiah, fulfilling the expectations outlined in the Hebrew Scriptures.
In the New Testament, the Greek word ἅγιος (hagios) describes saints, aligning with the Old Testament’s depiction of holiness and being set apart. The identity of saints remains tied to Israel, with faith in Yahusha adding further definition.
Romans 1:7: "To all that be in Rome, beloved of Yahuah, called to be saints (ἅγίοις, hagiois)..." Paul addresses Israelites in diaspora, reaffirming their identity as saints.
Revelation 14:12: "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of Yahuah and the faith of Yahusha." This verse highlights two defining traits of saints: obedience to Yah’s commandments and faith in Yahusha. These characteristics confirm that saints are Israelites, entrusted with Yah’s commandments and called to believe in their Messiah. The commandments were given specifically to Israel (Exodus 19:5-6), and Yahusha’s mission was to bring salvation to the house of Israel (Matthew 15:24).
The New Testament builds upon the foundation of the Old Testament, emphasizing Israel’s covenant relationship with Yah. Ephesians 2:19 (KJV) clearly distinguishes between the saints of Yah and the Gentile strangers: "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God." This verse identifies Gentiles who believe in Yahusha as "fellow citizens with the saints," demonstrating that the saints are Israel, and the Gentiles become citizens alongside them. The wording clarifies that Gentiles are brought into the household of Yah alongside Israel but remain distinct from the saints, who are Yah’s covenant people.
This reinforces that sainthood is tied to Israel’s covenant identity. Believing Gentiles are grafted into the blessings of Israel through Yahusha, gaining access to the covenant’s promises without redefining the saints or their unique role in Yah’s redemptive plan. Romans 9:4-5 further highlights that the covenants, the giving of the Law, and the promises belong to Israel. Yah specifically entrusted Israel with His divine instructions and the blessings tied to His covenant. The Law, given at Mount Sinai, was a direct revelation from Yah to Israel, intended to guide them in righteousness and set them apart as a holy nation (Exodus 19:5-6). The promises, including the blessings to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 12:2-3), reveal Yah’s plan to use Israel as a channel for His redemptive purposes.
By living in obedience to Yah’s commandments, Israel was meant to reflect Yah’s character and serve as an example to other nations, demonstrating what it means to live under Yah’s rule. Their role as the stewards of the Law and recipients of the promises highlight why they were chosen to deliver Yah’s word to the nations. Through their faithfulness, they were called to proclaim Yah’s truth, offering the nations a glimpse of His justice, mercy, and salvation, reaffirming their role as Yah’s chosen people.
Ephesians 2:12-13 reminds Gentile believers that their inclusion in Yah’s blessings comes through Israel’s Messiah, reinforcing the saints’ identity as connected to Israel’s covenant. This connection stems from the fact that the covenant includes the Law, promises, and the direct relationship Yah established with Israel. By remaining faithful to Yah’s commandments and believing in Yahusha as the Messiah, the saints maintain their role as Yah’s chosen people. The covenant acts as a constant reminder of their unique calling to reflect Yah’s holiness and carry out His will.
For example, Romans 9:4-5 emphasizes that the covenants, the giving of the Law, and the promises are integral to Israel, showing that sainthood is inseparable from their identity as the covenant bearers. The faithfulness required under the covenant further establishes Israel’s distinct role in Yah’s redemptive plan, ensuring that their identity as saints is deeply rooted in their relationship with Him.
Faith in Yahusha does not replace Israel’s identity as saints but strengthens it. Romans 10:4 states that Yahusha is the goal of the law for righteousness, fulfilling the covenant established with Israel. Acts 3:25-26 connects Yahusha directly to the promises made to Abraham, affirming Israel’s central role in Yah’s redemptive plan. Faith in Yahusha validates Israel’s identity as saints, demonstrating Yah’s unwavering commitment to His covenant people.
The Consistent Identity of Saints
Across both the Old and New Testaments, the identity of saints remains rooted in Israel’s covenant relationship with Yah. In the Old Testament, saints are Israelites set apart through the Law and their covenantal obedience. They are called to be a holy nation and a light to other nations (Exodus 19:5-6, Deuteronomy 7:6). This foundational identity carries into the New Testament, where saints are distinguished by their faith in Yahusha as the Messiah.
One consistent theme is the emphasis on holiness and obedience to Yah’s commandments. Both Testaments highlight Israel’s role in reflecting Yah’s glory and living according to His laws. For example, Psalm 50:5 and Revelation 14:12 connect sainthood to covenantal faithfulness and obedience to Yah’s commandments.
The New Testament adds the dimension of faith in Yahusha. While the Old Testament focuses on the covenant established through the Law, the New Testament reveals the fulfillment of these promises through Yahusha, affirming Israel’s role as Yah’s chosen people. Romans 9:4-5 and Ephesians 2:12-13 illustrate this continuity, showing that sainthood remains tied to Israel even as faith in Yahusha becomes a defining characteristic.
Thus, the term "saint" consistently refers to Israel, Yah’s chosen people. Saints are those set apart to bear Yah’s name, follow His commandments, and reflect His holiness to the world. This identity, rooted in Israel’s unique relationship with Yah, remains central to His redemptive plan. Importantly, the saints mentioned in the book of Revelation are unmistakably Israel. The text of Revelation consistently connects the saints to those who keep Yah’s commandments and hold to the faith of Yahusha (Revelation 14:12). To fully understand end-time eschatology, one must recognize that Revelation is an Israelite book, written to and for Israel. It outlines Yah’s ultimate plan for the redemption and restoration of His covenant people and shows how Gentiles, through Yahusha, may align themselves with Israel to partake in Yah’s kingdom promises.
Awesome revelation of the word saint. I always wondered about this. Thanks brother.