Isaiah 1:16
Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
Original Language Analysis
הִזַּכּ֔וּ
you make you clean
H2135
הִזַּכּ֔וּ
you make you clean
Strong's:
H2135
Word #:
2 of 9
to be translucent; figuratively, to be innocent
מִנֶּ֣גֶד
from before
H5048
מִנֶּ֣גֶד
from before
Strong's:
H5048
Word #:
6 of 9
a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before
עֵינָ֑י
mine eyes
H5869
עֵינָ֑י
mine eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
7 of 9
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
Cross References
1 Peter 3:11Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.1 Peter 2:1Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,2 Corinthians 7:1Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.James 4:8Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.Revelation 7:14And 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 26:6I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:Jeremiah 4:14O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?Isaiah 52:11Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.Acts 22:16And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.Jeremiah 25:5They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever:
Historical Context
Ritual washing was common in temple worship, yet Isaiah demands ethical transformation. The exhortation presupposes human responsibility in covenant relationship, though Reformed theology recognizes such response as enabled by prevenient grace.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'evil doings' must we deliberately put away from before our eyes to restore intimacy with God?
- How does the gospel empower the moral transformation Isaiah demands?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The imperatives 'wash you, make you clean' call for moral purification through repentance, not mere ceremonial cleansing. The command to 'put away the evil of your doings' demands forsaking sin—a prerequisite to restoration. This reflects the covenantal pattern of turning from wickedness as essential to renewed fellowship with God. The New Testament fulfills this with spiritual cleansing through Christ's blood (1 John 1:7-9).