Isaiah 1:22
Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:
Original Language Analysis
כַּסְפֵּ֖ךְ
Thy silver
H3701
כַּסְפֵּ֖ךְ
Thy silver
Strong's:
H3701
Word #:
1 of 6
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
הָיָ֣ה
H1961
הָיָ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
2 of 6
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
סָבְאֵ֖ךְ
thy wine
H5435
סָבְאֵ֖ךְ
thy wine
Strong's:
H5435
Word #:
4 of 6
potation, concretely (wine), or abstractly (carousal)
Historical Context
Metallurgical and viticultural imagery would resonate with Isaiah's agrarian audience. The mixed wine may reference merchants diluting product for profit, reflecting broader economic injustice.
Questions for Reflection
- What aspects of our lives have become 'dross'—externally religious but internally compromised?
- How does God's refining process restore us to intended purity?
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Analysis & Commentary
The metaphors of silver becoming dross and wine mixed with water depict moral and spiritual adulteration. Silver, representing value and purity, has become worthless slag; wine (symbolizing joy and covenant blessing) is diluted, losing potency. This illustrates how sin corrupts what God intended for good. The imagery anticipates Malachi 3:2-3's refining fire and the New Testament's call to purity (1 Peter 1:7). Reformed theology sees this as total depravity's corruption of God's good creation.