# Is “Holier than thou” in the Bible?

> Yes. “Holier than thou” is in the Bible, at Isaiah 65:5.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/holier-than-thou
By Andrew Kittridge · November 9, 2026

God quotes it, through Isaiah, as the words of people he is angry with.

## The verse

> who say, “Keep to yourself; do not come near me, for I am too holy for you.” These are smoke in my nostrils, a fire that burns all day long.
>
> — [Isaiah 65:5](https://www.lumin.faith/read/isaiah/65#5) (Lumin Translation)

These exact words are in the King James Bible. The Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible, is quoted here, and it words the verse differently.

## What it means there

They kept others at a distance as not holy enough to come near, while provoking God themselves. God calls them smoke in his nostrils.

## Common questions

### Is “Holier than thou” in the Bible?

Yes. “Holier than thou” is in the Bible, at Isaiah 65:5. These exact words are in the King James Bible. The Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible, is quoted here, and it words the verse differently. God quotes it, through Isaiah, as the words of people he is angry with.

### Where in the Bible is “Holier than thou”?

In Isaiah 65:5. In the Lumin Translation, Isaiah 65:5 reads: “who say, “Keep to yourself; do not come near me, for I am too holy for you.” These are smoke in my nostrils, a fire that burns all day long.”

### Who said “Holier than thou”?

God quotes it, through Isaiah, as the words of people he is angry with.

### What does “Holier than thou” mean in the Bible?

They kept others at a distance as not holy enough to come near, while provoking God themselves. God calls them smoke in his nostrils.

## More

- [Is “Jesus wept” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/jesus-wept.md)
- [Is “Let there be light” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/let-there-be-light.md)
- [Is “Love your neighbor as yourself” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/love-your-neighbor-as-yourself.md)
- [Is “No rest for the wicked” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/no-rest-for-the-wicked.md)
- [Is “A prophet is not without honor” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/a-prophet-is-not-without-honor.md)
- [Is “A soft answer turns away wrath” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/a-soft-answer-turns-away-wrath.md)
- [Is “Thou shalt not kill” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/thou-shalt-not-kill.md)
- [Is “Wash your hands of it” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/wash-your-hands-of-it.md)
- [Check any word or a whole song](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-verse-checker)