For the Lord to be holy means that he is completely different from anyone or anything else. He is utterly different from Israel’s concept of who or what God is.1 He exists apart from the natural world (whereas Canaanite gods were considered a part of it). He has no fertility partner (whereas Canaanite gods slept around with each other).2 He is not like human beings (whereas Canaanite gods were considered to be like humans but more powerful and with less limits).3
19 But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins.