Isaiah 1:22

KJV

Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:

KJV (with Strong's)

Thy silver {H3701} is become dross {H5509}, thy wine {H5435} mixed {H4107} with water {H4325}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Your silver is no longer pure, your wine is watered down.

Berean Standard Bible

Your silver has become dross; your fine wine is diluted with water.

American Standard Version

Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 1:22 delivers a scathing divine indictment against Judah and Jerusalem, metaphorically portraying their profound spiritual and moral degradation. The prophet declares that their once precious "silver" has become worthless "dross" and their potent "wine" has been diluted with "water," symbolizing the pervasive corruption among their leaders and people, the loss of integrity, and the adulteration of their covenant relationship with God. This verse encapsulates the core message of the opening chapter: a lament over a nation that has strayed far from righteousness, despite receiving divine favor and instruction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 1:22 is situated within the opening chapter of the book of Isaiah, which serves as a powerful prophetic prologue to the entire collection of prophecies. This chapter functions as a divine lawsuit (rib-pattern) against Judah, where God, as the plaintiff, presents His case against His rebellious children. The verses immediately preceding, particularly [Isaiah 1:21](/isaiah/1-21 "Isaiah 1:21 - Jerusalem's Moral Decline"), lament Jerusalem's transformation from a "faithful city" full of justice to one now inhabited by murderers and rebels. Verse 22 continues this lament, using vivid metaphors to describe the extent of the nation's moral decay, setting the stage for the pronouncements of judgment and the eventual promise of restoration that follow in the broader book.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecies of Isaiah were delivered during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, spanning roughly 740-687 BCE. This period was marked by significant political instability, including the rise of the Assyrian Empire, which posed a constant threat to Judah's sovereignty. Internally, despite outward religious observance, there was widespread social injustice, corruption, and idolatry, particularly among the ruling class and judges. The metaphors in Isaiah 1:22 would have resonated deeply with the audience: "dross" was a common byproduct of metal refining, signifying worthlessness, while "wine mixed with water" was a known practice of dishonest merchants to defraud customers or a sign of extreme poverty, both implying a debasement of quality and value.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Isaiah. It underscores the theme of **Israel's Rebellion and Unfaithfulness**, highlighting how the chosen people have betrayed their covenant obligations, as seen in the broader indictment of [Isaiah 1](/isaiah/1 "Isaiah 1 - The Great Indictment"). The imagery of "dross" and "watered-down wine" directly speaks to the theme of **Moral and Spiritual Degradation**, emphasizing the loss of purity and integrity within the nation, especially among its leaders who were meant to uphold justice (cf. [Isaiah 1:17](/isaiah/1-17 "Isaiah 1:17 - Learn to do good")). Furthermore, it introduces the theme of **Divine Judgment and Purification**, as God's pronouncements of judgment are often depicted as a refining process intended to purge the impurities and restore a remnant, a concept further developed in passages like [Isaiah 4:4](/isaiah/4-4 "Isaiah 4:4 - Spirit of Judgment and Burning").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Silver (Hebrew, _keçeph'_):** From H3701, meaning "silver (from its pale color); by implication, money; money, price, silver(-ling)." In this context, "silver" represents the pure, valuable, and unadulterated essence of Judah's covenant relationship with God, their divine calling, and the integrity of their justice system and leadership. Its transformation into dross signifies a profound loss of this inherent value and purity.
* **Dross (Hebrew, _çîyg'_):** From H5509, meaning "scoria; dross." This term refers to the impurities, waste, or refuse that separates from precious metals during the smelting process. It is worthless and discarded. The metaphor powerfully conveys that what was once valuable in Judah has become utterly corrupt and useless in God's eyes, signifying a state of spiritual and moral worthlessness.
* **Mixed (Hebrew, _mâhal'_):** From H4107, a primitive root meaning "properly, to cut down or reduce, i.e. by implication, to adulterate; mixed." This word describes the act of diluting a substance, specifically wine, with water. It implies a deliberate act of debasement, diminishing the strength, flavor, and value of the original product. Here, it signifies the adulteration of Judah's spiritual vitality, ethical standards, and distinct identity as God's people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thy silver is become dross":** This clause serves as a stark indictment, declaring that the precious and pure character of Judah, particularly its leadership and institutions (like justice and worship), has degenerated into something worthless and impure. Just as dross is discarded during the refining process, so too has Judah's true worth been corrupted, rendering it unfit for its divine purpose. This imagery speaks to a fundamental betrayal of trust and a deep-seated moral decay.
* **"thy wine mixed with water":** This second clause reinforces and expands upon the first, using another vivid metaphor of adulteration. Wine, a symbol of joy, strength, and the blessings of the covenant, has been diluted, losing its potency and distinctiveness. This signifies the weakening of Judah's spiritual vitality, the compromise of its ethical standards, and the blurring of lines between righteous and unrighteous behavior. It points to a superficiality in their religious practices and a departure from the vibrant, unadulterated faith God intended.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 1:22 is rich in **Metaphor**, employing two distinct but complementary images: "silver become dross" and "wine mixed with water." These metaphors are not merely illustrative but serve as powerful condemnations, equating the nation's moral and spiritual state to debased commodities. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the two clauses express similar ideas of corruption and adulteration through different images, reinforcing the central message of degradation. The prophet's tone is one of **Invective** and lament, expressing God's profound disappointment and anger at the extent of Judah's unfaithfulness. This use of vivid, relatable imagery makes the divine judgment tangible and impactful for the original audience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 1:22 powerfully articulates God's profound disappointment with His people's moral and spiritual decline, emphasizing that outward religious observance without inner righteousness is an abomination. The metaphors of debased silver and diluted wine highlight the loss of integrity and the adulteration of their covenant relationship, which was meant to be pure and potent. This passage underscores the consistent biblical truth that God demands genuine holiness and justice from His people, not mere ritual. It serves as a prophetic warning that compromise with the world inevitably leads to a loss of spiritual distinctiveness and divine disfavor, necessitating a process of purification or judgment.

* [Ezekiel 22:18](/ezekiel/22-18 "Ezekiel 22:18 - Israel as Dross")
* [Jeremiah 2:21](/jeremiah/2-21 "Jeremiah 2:21 - Israel's Degenerate Vine")
* [Psalm 12:6](/psalms/12-6 "Psalm 12:6 - Purity of God's Word")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 1:22 offers a timeless mirror for self-examination, challenging us to assess the purity and potency of our own faith and lives. It prompts us to consider whether our spiritual "silver" has become tainted by worldly compromises, self-interest, or hypocrisy, and if our "wine"—representing our witness, our love for God, and our commitment to justice—has been watered down by apathy, fear, or a desire for cultural acceptance. The prophet's lament serves as a poignant reminder that God seeks genuine transformation of the heart, not just outward religious performance. This verse calls us to a radical re-evaluation, urging us to pursue unadulterated devotion, integrity in all our dealings, and a vibrant, undiluted commitment to God's righteous standards, ensuring that our lives truly reflect the purity and power of the Gospel.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or our community has "silver become dross" or "wine mixed with water"?**
* **What specific worldly influences or compromises might be diluting the purity and potency of my faith or our church's witness?**
* **How can I actively pursue greater integrity and spiritual vitality, ensuring my actions align with my confession of faith?**

### FAQ
**What does "Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water" mean in a practical sense for ancient Judah?**

Answer: In ancient Judah, this statement was a direct and severe accusation of widespread corruption and moral decay, particularly among the nation's leaders and judges. "Silver become dross" referred to the economic and ethical dishonesty where valuable silver (money, justice) was so adulterated with impurities that it became worthless, symbolizing a judiciary and leadership that had become corrupt and unjust. Instead of upholding righteousness, they were enriching themselves through illicit means. "Wine mixed with water" similarly pointed to a dilution of standards and a loss of distinctiveness. Just as a dishonest merchant would water down wine to cheat customers, Judah had diluted its unique identity as God's holy people, compromising its spiritual and moral purity. This meant that their religious practices were superficial, their justice system was perverted, and their society was characterized by oppression rather than righteousness, as lamented in [Isaiah 1:15-17](/isaiah/1-15 "Isaiah 1:15-17 - God Rejects Empty Worship").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 1:22, with its lament over the dross and diluted wine of Judah, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies the purity and potency that Israel failed to maintain. While Israel's "silver" became dross through sin, Christ is the [perfect Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), without blemish or spot, offering a sacrifice of unadulterated righteousness. He is the true and unadulterated "wine," the [true vine](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus, the True Vine") from whom all spiritual vitality flows, in stark contrast to Israel, who became a "degenerate plant" ([Jeremiah 2:21](/jeremiah/2-21 "Jeremiah 2:21 - Israel's Degenerate Vine")). Through His atoning work, Jesus purifies His people, not with the fire that separates dross, but with His own precious blood, making us [pure and holy](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redemption by Christ's Blood"). He establishes a [New Covenant](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6-13 - The Superior New Covenant") that is not diluted by human failure but secured by His perfect obedience and sacrifice, transforming hearts of stone into hearts of flesh and enabling a genuine, unadulterated relationship with God. Thus, what was lost in Israel's unfaithfulness is perfectly restored and fulfilled in Christ, who is our righteousness and our sanctification ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Our Righteousness in Christ")).

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

Hosea 4:18

Their drink is sour: they have committed whoredom continually: her rulers [with] shame do love, Give ye.

Jeremiah 6:28

They [are] all grievous revolters, walking with slanders: [they are] brass and iron; they [are] all corrupters.

Jeremiah 6:30

Reprobate silver shall [men] call them, because the LORD hath rejected them.

Ezekiel 22:18

Son of man, the house of Israel is to me become dross: all they [are] brass, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are [even] the dross of silver.

Ezekiel 22:22

As silver is melted in the midst of the furnace, so shall ye be melted in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I the LORD have poured out my fury upon you.

Lamentations 4:1

¶ How is the gold become dim! [how] is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street.

Lamentations 4:2

The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!