YHVH Maccaddishcem is translated as “YHVH who sets you apart”.
We find this unique, verb-oriented, name in Ex 31:13: [S]peak to the children of Yisra’ĕl, saying, ‘My Sabbaths you are to guard, by all means, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, to know that I am יהוה Maccaddishcem, [or I am YHVH who sets you apart]’. We also see it in Lev 20:7-8: And you shall set yourselves apart, and shall be set-apart, for I amיהוה your Elohim, and you shall guard My laws and do them. I am יהוה Maccaddishcem, and in Lev 21:8: For I, יהוה Maccaddishcem, am set-apart.
The root, in verb form, for maccaddishcem is qadash (H6942) and means to be made clean, or to be set apart or sanctified. The related adjectives, qadosh (H6918) and qodesh (H6944) mean holy, sacred, consecrated, or dedicated. In other words, it is somebody or something that has been custom-made or prepared for a specific task, purpose or calling; the concepts of being holy or holiness, or being set-apart, are inextricably linked to a dedicated purpose. YHVH is set-apart, He is dedicated to or purposed onto Himself, there is none greater than Him. He is the great I AM. He is also the One setting His people apart, dedicating them towards a set-apart calling in His Kingdom unto His glory.
The Psalmist states in Ps 29:2: [G]ive YHVH the glory due his name; worship YHVH in holy splendor… We are called to worship YHVH in everything with a dedicated purpose, since He is a jealous Ěl as we’re reminded of in Ex 34:14. Hence the command in Lev 19:2 and in 1 Peter 1:15-16, namely Be set-apart, for I am set-apart. Are we then surprised that His holiness is exclaimed in the heavenlies as we note in Is 6:2-3 and Rev 4:8: And the four living creatures do not cease, day or night, saying, “Set-apart, set-apart, set-apart, יהוה Ěl Shaddai, who was, and who is, and who is coming!”
His holiness is also a strong feature in the great prayer, as we read in Matt 6:9-10: Our Father who is in the heavens, let Your Name be set-apart, may your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. How will His name be set apart, be dedicated to a custom-made purpose on earth fulfilling His will, as it is in heaven? We find the key in the words we’ve read earlier, namely [A]nd you shall guard My laws and do them. I am יהוה Maccaddishcem. There is a clear mutuality, or reciprocal exchange, whereby His name will be made set-apart on earth as it is in the heavens by those He has set apart. Who are they and how will they do it? They are those that guard and do His commandments, and through obedience they will set His name apart – that will be the sign.
This name is not linked to future prophecy, but to current action by Him who is completely set-apart and who sets apart those who obey His Word, those who are purpose-driven to love Him and to let His will be done on earth as it is in the heavens. Being set-apart does not imply sinlessness or perfection, but it does require dedication and obedience to His will and His Word. These are fit for His purpose, such as Mary whom He has set aside for her role in being the vessel to give birth to the Messiah. Being set-apart is thus both positive and active concerning our dedication to Him as He is dedicated to us. He is YHVH Maccaddishcem.
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