Isaiah 27:9

By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this [is] all the fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up.

By this {H2063} therefore shall the iniquity {H5771} of Jacob {H3290} be purged {H3722}; and this is all the fruit {H6529} to take away {H5493} his sin {H2403}; when he maketh {H7760} all the stones {H68} of the altar {H4196} as chalkstones {H1615} that are beaten in sunder {H5310}, the groves {H842} and images {H2553} shall not stand up {H6965}.

So the iniquity of Ya'akov is atoned for by this, and removing his sin produces this result: he chops up all the altar stones like chalk - sacred poles and sun-pillars stand no more.

Therefore Jacobโ€™s guilt will be atoned for, and the full fruit of the removal of his sin will be this: When he makes all the altar stones like crushed bits of chalk, no Asherah poles or incense altars will remain standing.

Therefore by this shall the iniquity of Jacob be forgiven, and this is all the fruit of taking away his sin: that he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, so that the Asherim and the sun-images shall rise no more.

Commentary

Commentary on Isaiah 27:9 (KJV)

Isaiah 27:9 describes God's method for purifying His people, Jacob (Israel), emphasizing the necessary removal of idolatry as a tangible sign of their spiritual cleansing and genuine repentance. This verse is a powerful declaration of divine justice leading to restoration.

Context

This verse is part of Isaiah's "Little Apocalypse" (chapters 24-27), a section dealing with God's universal judgment and ultimate restoration. Chapter 27 specifically focuses on the future restoration of Israel after a period of divine discipline. The phrase "By this therefore" refers to the refining process and judgments described earlier in the chapter, which are designed to bring about spiritual purity. It speaks of a time when the nation's spiritual cleansing would be evident through their complete abandonment of pagan practices, a recurring theme in prophetic literature concerning Israel's covenant relationship with God. This divine discipline serves as a means to purify and refine His people.

Key Themes

  • Purging of Sin and Iniquity: The core message is God's intent to "purge" and "take away" the sin of Jacob. This signifies not just forgiveness, but a deep, thorough cleansing from the root of disobedience. It underscores that true restoration and a renewed covenant relationship require a spiritual purification from within, where sin is genuinely removed.
  • Destruction of Idolatry: The vivid imagery of "maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up" directly addresses the pervasive problem of idolatry in ancient Israel. Idolatry was a constant snare, leading the nation away from their covenant with the Lord. This purging is intrinsically linked to the eradication of false worship. God commanded His people to destroy pagan altars and images.
  • Fruit of Repentance and Discipline: The verse frames the destruction of idols as the "fruit" of the process by which sin is taken away. It implies that genuine repentance and the removal of sin are demonstrated by concrete actions โ€“ the dismantling of anything that competes with God for ultimate allegiance. This aligns with the biblical principle that true repentance bears visible fruit.

Linguistic Insights

The term "groves" often refers to the Hebrew word Asherah (ืึฒืฉึตืืจึธื”), which denoted cultic poles or trees dedicated to the Canaanite goddess Asherah. These were central to the pagan worship practices that continually enticed Israel away from the worship of Yahweh. The complete destruction of these "groves and images" signifies a total break from syncretistic worship and a return to exclusive devotion to the one true God.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 27:9 serves as a powerful reminder that spiritual cleansing and a right standing with God are evidenced by the removal of "idols" from our lives. While we may not worship physical statues, modern idols can include anything that takes precedence over God โ€“ be it money, career, possessions, relationships, self-reliance, or even personal comfort. This verse encourages deep self-examination: What are the "altars" or "images" in our hearts and lives that need to be "beaten in sunder" for God to truly purge our iniquity? It reinforces that God's discipline, though often difficult, is ultimately for our purification and spiritual good, leading to a deeper, unhindered relationship with Him. This cleansing is not a passive event but requires active participation in dismantling what separates us from God.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Romans 11:27

    For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

  • Isaiah 48:10

    Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.

  • Isaiah 17:8

    And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect [that] which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images.

  • Daniel 11:35

    And [some] of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make [them] white, [even] to the time of the end: because [it is] yet for a time appointed.

  • Hebrews 12:6

    For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

  • Hebrews 12:9

    Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected [us], and we gave [them] reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

  • Hebrews 12:11

    Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
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