Isaiah 1:18

KJV

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

KJV (with Strong's)

Come now {H3212}, and let us reason together {H3198}, saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}: though your sins {H2399} be as scarlet {H8144}, they shall be as white {H3835} as snow {H7950}; though they be red {H119} like crimson {H8438}, they shall be as wool {H6785}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Come now," says ADONAI, "let's talk this over together. Even if your sins are like scarlet, they will be white as snow; even if they are red as crimson, they will be like wool.

Berean Standard Bible

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.

American Standard Version

Come now, and let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 1:18 presents a profound invitation from the LORD to His rebellious people, Judah, offering a pathway to reconciliation despite their deep-seated sin. Following a severe indictment of their spiritual apostasy and empty religious practices, God extends an astonishing promise of radical purification. He calls them to engage in a dialogue, assuring them that even if their sins are as deeply ingrained and visible as scarlet or crimson dyes, He possesses the power to make them completely pure, as white as snow or wool. This verse stands as a powerful testament to God's boundless grace, His desire for restoration, and His sovereign ability to forgive and transform.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 1:18 concludes a section (Isaiah 1:2-20) where the prophet Isaiah delivers a scathing indictment against Judah for their widespread rebellion and spiritual decay. The preceding verses vividly portray the nation as a "sick body" covered in "wounds and bruises and festering sores" (Isaiah 1:5-6), symbolizing their moral and spiritual corruption. God condemns their hypocritical worship, where they offer sacrifices and prayers while neglecting justice and oppressing the vulnerable (Isaiah 1:10-17). Their religious rituals are deemed an "abomination" because they are devoid of genuine righteousness and heartfelt obedience. In this context of severe judgment and divine frustration, verse 18 emerges as a stunning pivot, shifting from condemnation to an unexpected, gracious invitation, highlighting God's enduring patience and desire for His people's repentance and restoration. It sets the stage for the conditional promises of blessing or further judgment that follow in [Isaiah 1:19-20](/isaiah/1-19 "Isaiah 1:19-20 - Obedience and Disobedience").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Isaiah is set during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, spanning roughly from 740 to 681 BC. This period was marked by significant political instability, including the rising threat of Assyria, which would eventually conquer the Northern Kingdom of Israel and besiege Jerusalem. Culturally, Judah was prone to syncretism, blending the worship of Yahweh with pagan practices, and societal injustice was rampant, with the rich oppressing the poor and the legal system corrupted. The "scarlet" and "crimson" mentioned in the verse refer to expensive, fast-dyed fabrics, often used for luxurious garments or priestly attire, signifying deep, pervasive, and visible stains that were difficult, if not impossible, to remove by ordinary means. The imagery of "snow" and "wool" would have been readily understood as symbols of pristine purity and natural whiteness, contrasting sharply with the deep, permanent hues of sin. This cultural understanding amplifies the miraculous nature of God's promised cleansing.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several major theological and narrative themes prevalent not only in [Isaiah chapter 1](/isaiah/1 "Isaiah 1 - The Great Arraignment and Call to Repentance") but throughout the entire book. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **God's Sovereignty and Justice**, as He, the LORD, is the one who initiates the call to "reason together" and sets the terms for cleansing. Secondly, the verse highlights the **Pervasiveness and Gravity of Sin**, depicted as deeply stained scarlet and crimson, emphasizing its profound defilement. Thirdly, and most remarkably, it introduces the theme of **Divine Grace and Forgiveness**, demonstrating God's willingness to pardon even the most egregious offenses. This theme of God's redemptive grace is a recurring motif, foreshadowing the ultimate salvation offered through the Messiah (e.g., [Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - The Suffering Servant")). Finally, the verse speaks to the theme of **Transformation and Purification**, promising a radical change from utter defilement to pristine purity, a cleansing that goes beyond mere external appearance to a complete spiritual renewal.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Come (Hebrew, _yâlak'_):** This primitive root means "to walk" literally or figuratively, but here it functions as an imperative, an urgent call to action or movement. It signifies an invitation to draw near, to initiate a process of engagement. In this context, it's not a passive suggestion but an earnest summons from the divine to His people to approach Him.
* **reason together (Hebrew, _yâkach'_):** This word carries the sense of being right, to argue, to decide, to justify, or to convict. While it can imply a legal or judicial dispute, in this context, it's an invitation to a dialogue where God presents His case and allows His people to present theirs, not for condemnation, but for the purpose of demonstrating His righteousness and their need for His grace, leading to a just and merciful resolution. It's an appeal to logic and moral truth, aiming for conviction and reconciliation rather than mere judgment.
* **sins (Hebrew, _chêṭᵉʼ'_):** Derived from the root meaning "to miss the mark," this term denotes a crime, an offense, or its penalty. It encompasses the moral failure, the transgression against God's law, and the resulting guilt and defilement. The use of this strong term emphasizes the deep-seated rebellion and moral culpability of Judah, making the subsequent offer of cleansing all the more astonishing.
* **scarlet (Hebrew, _shânîy'_):** This term refers to a deep, fast-dyed red color, often derived from an insect. It symbolizes something deeply ingrained, pervasive, and difficult to remove. When applied to sins, it conveys their profound defilement and their visible, undeniable nature, suggesting that the stains of sin are not superficial but have permeated the very fabric of the nation's being.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD:"** This opening clause is a direct, personal, and urgent invitation from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. Despite the preceding pronouncements of judgment, God extends an offer for dialogue. The phrase "reason together" (yâkach) implies a legal or judicial setting, but here it's transformed into an opportunity for reconciliation, where God, as the righteous judge, invites His accused people to present their case, not to argue their innocence, but to acknowledge their guilt and receive His merciful verdict. It highlights God's initiative in seeking restoration.
* **"though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;"** This clause presents the first powerful simile and promise of purification. "Scarlet" represents the deep, indelible stain of sin—visible, pervasive, and seemingly permanent. Yet, God declares His ability to transform this profound defilement into the pristine purity of "snow," a natural image of absolute whiteness and freshness. This signifies a complete and radical cleansing, not merely a covering up, but a total removal of the stain of sin.
* **"though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."** This second parallel clause reinforces the promise with another vivid simile. "Crimson" (tôwlâʻ) is another deep, fast-dyed red, often associated with a worm used to produce the dye, further emphasizing the stubbornness and depth of the sin's stain. The promise is that these deeply ingrained sins will become "as wool"—another image of natural, pure whiteness and softness. The repetition underscores the certainty and totality of God's cleansing power, assuring that no sin, no matter how profound or pervasive, is beyond His capacity to forgive and purify.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 1:18 is rich in **Imagery** and **Symbolism**, primarily through its use of **Simile**. The comparison of sins to "scarlet" and "crimson" vividly portrays their deep, pervasive, and seemingly indelible nature, akin to fast-dyed fabrics. Conversely, the transformation of these sins into "white as snow" and "as wool" employs natural imagery to symbolize absolute purity, complete cleansing, and radical transformation. This creates a powerful **Contrast** between the defilement of sin and the purity of God's forgiveness. The verse also employs **Anthropomorphism** when the LORD says, "let us reason together," attributing human-like communication and judicial engagement to God, making His invitation more relatable and direct. The structure itself demonstrates **Parallelism**, with the two clauses ("though your sins be as scarlet... as snow; though they be red like crimson... as wool") reinforcing the same core message through slightly varied but complementary imagery, adding emphasis and poetic rhythm to the divine promise.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 1:18 stands as a profound declaration of God's sovereign grace and His unfathomable desire for reconciliation with humanity. It reveals that despite humanity's deep-seated rebellion and moral corruption, God actively initiates a pathway to forgiveness and purification. This verse underscores the radical nature of divine cleansing, demonstrating that God's power to forgive transcends the perceived permanence of sin's stain. It is a foundational statement on the availability of redemption, emphasizing that God's justice is always tempered by His mercy, offering hope even in the face of severe judgment. The invitation to "reason together" implies a divine appeal to conscience and a call to repentance, where the outcome is not condemnation but a miraculous transformation from defilement to purity, entirely by God's initiative and power.

* [Psalm 51:7](/psalms/51-7 "Psalm 51:7 - Prayer for Cleansing") – "Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."
* [Acts 3:19](/acts/3-19 "Acts 3:19 - Call to Repentance and Refreshing") – "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord."
* [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness") – "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 1:18 offers immense comfort and a profound challenge to every individual. It reminds us that no matter how deep, pervasive, or seemingly permanent the stain of our sin may appear, God's capacity for forgiveness and purification is infinitely greater. This verse calls us to respond to God's gracious invitation to "reason together," which is not an invitation to justify ourselves, but to humbly acknowledge our sin and receive His radical cleansing. It encourages us to abandon despair over our past failures and instead embrace the boundless hope found in God's transformative power. The promise that scarlet sins can become as white as snow should inspire us to draw near to God with confidence, knowing that He is eager to forgive and restore us to a state of purity, enabling us to live lives that reflect His holiness and grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does God's invitation to "reason together" reveal about His character, especially in light of the severe indictment preceding this verse?**
* **In what areas of your life do you feel the "scarlet" or "crimson" stain of sin is most deeply ingrained? How does the promise of becoming "white as snow" or "as wool" speak to those areas?**
* **How does this verse challenge any tendency to believe that certain sins are unforgivable or that we are beyond God's reach?**
* **What practical steps can you take to respond to God's invitation to "reason together" and receive His cleansing today?**

### FAQ
**What does "reason together" mean in this context?**

Answer: In Isaiah 1:18, "reason together" (Hebrew: _yâkach_) does not imply that humanity can argue with God on equal terms or justify their sin. Rather, it signifies an invitation from God to His people to engage in a legal or judicial dialogue, where God presents His case against them (their rebellion and injustice) and calls them to acknowledge their guilt. The purpose is not to condemn them further, but to demonstrate the righteousness of His judgment and the miraculous nature of His offer of forgiveness. It's an appeal to their conscience, a call for them to see their sin as He sees it, so that they might accept His gracious provision for cleansing. It highlights God's desire for His people to understand His ways and to return to Him in repentance, leading to reconciliation rather than continued estrangement.

**How can sins as deep as "scarlet" or "crimson" truly become "white as snow" or "as wool"?**

Answer: The imagery of "scarlet" and "crimson" refers to dyes that were known for being incredibly fast and difficult to remove, symbolizing the deep, pervasive, and seemingly permanent nature of sin's defilement. The promise that these sins will become "white as snow" or "as wool" signifies a complete and supernatural purification. This is not a superficial covering or a mere overlooking of sin, but a radical transformation and total cleansing that only God can accomplish. Theologically, this cleansing is ultimately achieved not by human effort or merit, but through God's divine power and grace, foreshadowing the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which truly washes away all sin (as seen in [Revelation 7:14](/revelation/7-14 "Revelation 7:14 - Washed in the Blood of the Lamb")). It speaks to the absolute efficacy of God's forgiveness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 1:18, with its astonishing promise of cleansing from scarlet sins, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "reasoning together" initiated by the LORD in the Old Testament points forward to the new covenant established through Christ, where humanity's reconciliation with God is made possible not through human argument or merit, but through divine substitution. The deep, indelible stain of "scarlet" and "crimson" sins, representing humanity's pervasive rebellion and moral corruption, is completely washed away by the precious blood of Jesus. As the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), Christ's sacrifice on the cross provides the perfect atonement, making it possible for those who believe in Him to be truly made "white as snow" and "as wool." The author of Hebrews declares that [without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins](/hebrews/9-22 "Without the Shedding of Blood There Is No Forgiveness of Sins"), highlighting the costly nature of this divine cleansing. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus offers not merely a covering for sin, but a complete transformation and new creation, fulfilling Isaiah's prophetic vision of radical purification and enabling believers to stand righteous before a holy God, clothed in His perfect righteousness (as described in [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 44:22

I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

Revelation 7:14

And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Psalms 51:7

¶ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Isaiah 43:24

Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.

Isaiah 43:26

Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.

Micah 7:18

Who [is] a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth [in] mercy.

Micah 7:19

He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.