Holy: Understanding it Better Through 2 Chronicles 5:11

In 2 Chronicles 5:11, it reads in very literal translation: "And it happened as the priests were going from the sanctuary - for all the priests who were present had sanctified themselves without observing divisions."   This translation demonstrates the possibility of a contrast between "sanctified" and "observing divisions."  In that case, holy's or sanctified's basic meaning would be that of whole.

You could understand it this way " ... for all the priest who were present were themselves the whole without observing any divisions [among themselves]."   This is at least plausible and the contrast with "without observing divisions" would make its meaning also contrast with being set apart or separate. 

So this verse at least demonstrates what is at stake in terms of understanding a great number of passages throughout the Bible.  By itself, the evidence is not earthshattering, but a number of passages with this same plausibility would be.  Please think about it. 

In Christ,

Pastor Jon