Expert: Dean Gade - 11/1/2005

Question
what makes a holy site holy?

Answer
The word "holy"(hagios in the New Testament Greek" means "set apart".

What made it a place which many Christians set apart as special is that Jesus lived there.  It was the place for the fulfillment of many prophecies concerning Him and His ministry of salvation.

Besides which, God Himself calls it the Holy Land because He set apart for His people.

Ps 78:52-55
52 But he brought his people out like a flock;
he led them like sheep through the desert.
53 He guided them safely, so they were unafraid;
but the sea engulfed their enemies.
54 Thus he brought them to the border of his holy land,
to the hill country his right hand had taken.
55 He drove out nations before them
and allotted their lands to them as an inheritance;
he settled the tribes of Israel in their homes.
(from New International Version)