Isaiah 27:9

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לָכֵ֗ן
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#2
בְּזֹאת֙
By this
this (often used adverb)
#3
יְכֻפַּ֣ר
be purged
to cover (specifically with bitumen)
#4
עֲוֹֽן
therefore shall the iniquity
perversity, i.e., (moral) evil
#5
יַעֲקֹ֔ב
of Jacob
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
#6
וְזֶ֕ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#7
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#8
פְּרִ֖י
and this is all the fruit
fruit (literally or figuratively)
#9
הָסִ֣ר
to take away
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
#10
חַטָּאת֑וֹ
his sin
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
#11
בְּשׂוּמ֣וֹ׀
when he maketh
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#12
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#13
כְּאַבְנֵי
H68
all the stones
a stone
#14
מִזְבֵּ֗חַ
of the altar
an altar
#15
כְּאַבְנֵי
H68
all the stones
a stone
#16
גִר֙
as chalkstones
lime (from being burned in a kiln)
#17
מְנֻפָּצ֔וֹת
that are beaten in sunder
to dash to pieces, or scatter
#18
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#19
יָקֻ֥מוּ
shall not stand up
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#20
אֲשֵׁרִ֖ים
the groves
asherah (or astarte) a phoenician goddess; also an image of the same
#21
וְחַמָּנִֽים׃
and images
a sun-pillar

Analysis

Within the broader context of Isaiah, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Isaiah.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Isaiah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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