King James Version

What Does Isaiah 1:18 Mean?

Isaiah 1:18 in the King James Version says “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; th... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Isaiah 1:18 · KJV


Context

16

Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

17

Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. relieve: or, righten

18

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

19

If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

20

But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse contains one of Scripture's most gracious invitations: 'Come now, and let us reason together.' God initiates dialogue despite rebellion, offering rational discourse rather than arbitrary decree. The promise that scarlet sins become 'white as snow' and crimson sins like 'wool' employs vivid imagery of complete cleansing. This isn't moral improvement but divine transformation—God removes sin's stain entirely through grace, anticipating the gospel's forensic justification (Romans 3:24-26).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

In ancient dyeing, scarlet and crimson were permanent stains from costly dyes. The impossibility of removing such stains emphasizes the miraculous nature of divine forgiveness—what humans cannot accomplish, God does freely.

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you approach God expecting harsh condemnation or gracious invitation to dialogue?
  2. How does complete forgiveness differ from gradual moral improvement in your understanding of salvation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
לְכוּ1 of 16
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

נָ֛א2 of 16
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

וְנִוָּֽכְחָ֖ה3 of 16

and let us reason together

H3198

to be right (i.e., correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict

יֹאמַ֣ר4 of 16

saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֑ה5 of 16

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אִם6 of 16
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יִֽהְי֨וּ7 of 16
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

חֲטָאֵיכֶ֤ם8 of 16

though your sins

H2399

a crime or its penalty

כַּשָּׁנִים֙9 of 16

be as scarlet

H8144

crimson, properly, the insect or its color, also stuff dyed with it

כַּשֶּׁ֣לֶג10 of 16

as snow

H7950

snow (probably from its whiteness)

יַלְבִּ֔ינוּ11 of 16

they shall be as white

H3835

to make bricks

אִם12 of 16
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יַאְדִּ֥ימוּ13 of 16

though they be red

H119

to show blood (in the face), i.e., flush or turn rosy

כַתּוֹלָ֖ע14 of 16

like crimson

H8438

a maggot (as voracious); specifically (often with ellipsis of h8144) the crimson-grub, but used only (in this connection) of the color from it, and cl

כַּצֶּ֥מֶר15 of 16

they shall be as wool

H6785

wool

יִהְיֽוּ׃16 of 16
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 1:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 1:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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