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Archaic KJV Word
What Does “Sanctify” Mean in the Bible?
In the King James Bible, “Sanctify” means “make morally pure” in modern English. It is an archaic word from the 1611 KJV that has dropped out of everyday use.
What Was Lost
The exclusive dedication. To sanctify was to take something from common use and dedicate it exclusively to God. A sanctified vessel was not a cleaner vessel but a repurposed one -- taken from the kitchen and placed on the altar. 'Sanctify them through thy truth' was 'set them apart for your exclusive use by means of reality.'
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