Isaiah 44:22
I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.
Original Language Analysis
מָחִ֤יתִי
I have blotted out
H4229
מָחִ֤יתִי
I have blotted out
Strong's:
H4229
Word #:
1 of 9
properly, to stroke or rub; by implication, to erase; also to smooth (as if with oil), i.e., grease or make fat
כָעָב֙
as a thick cloud
H5645
כָעָב֙
as a thick cloud
Strong's:
H5645
Word #:
2 of 9
properly, an envelope, i.e., darkness (or density, 2 chronicles 4:17); specifically, a (scud) cloud; also a copse
פְּשָׁעֶ֔יךָ
thy transgressions
H6588
פְּשָׁעֶ֔יךָ
thy transgressions
Strong's:
H6588
Word #:
3 of 9
a revolt (national, moral or religious)
וְכֶעָנָ֖ן
and as a cloud
H6051
וְכֶעָנָ֖ן
and as a cloud
Strong's:
H6051
Word #:
4 of 9
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud
חַטֹּאותֶ֑יךָ
thy sins
H2403
חַטֹּאותֶ֑יךָ
thy sins
Strong's:
H2403
Word #:
5 of 9
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
שׁוּבָ֥ה
return
H7725
שׁוּבָ֥ה
return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
6 of 9
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
Cross References
Isaiah 43:25I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.1 Corinthians 6:20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.Isaiah 43:1But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.Psalms 103:12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.Isaiah 55:7Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.Jeremiah 33:8And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me.Psalms 51:9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.Psalms 51:1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.Isaiah 48:20Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say ye, The LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob.Isaiah 1:27Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.
Historical Context
This promise of complete forgiveness anticipates the gospel. The perfect tense 'I have redeemed' points to God's finished work that enables and motivates return to Him.
Questions for Reflection
- How does knowing God has already blotted out your sins motivate return to Him?
- What does the cloud imagery teach about how completely God removes sin?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God's redemptive work is described: 'I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins.' The imagery of clouds dissolving pictures complete removal of sin's record. The Hebrew 'machah' (blot out) means to wipe away, erase completely. The call to 'return unto me' is grounded in accomplished redemption: 'for I have redeemed thee.'