King James Version

What Does Isaiah 27:9 Mean?

Isaiah 27:9 in the King James Version says “By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this is all the fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh ... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. images: or, sun images

Isaiah 27:9 · KJV


Context

7

Hath he smitten him, as he smote those that smote him? or is he slain according to the slaughter of them that are slain by him? as: Heb. according to the stroke of

8

In measure, when it shooteth forth, thou wilt debate with it: he stayeth his rough wind in the day of the east wind. it shooteth: or, thou sendest it forth he: or, when he removeth it with

9

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. images: or, sun images

10

Yet the defenced city shall be desolate, and the habitation forsaken, and left like a wilderness: there shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie down, and consume the branches thereof.

11

When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: for it is a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. This verse reveals the purpose of measured discipline: purging sin. Iniquity...purged (avon...yekupar, עָוֺן...יְכֻפַּר) uses the Hebrew root for atonement/covering—discipline serves redemptive purposes. This is all the fruit indicates the complete result or purpose of God's dealings.

To take away his sin (hasir chattato, הָסִר חַטָּאתוֹ) literally means "the removing of his sin"—the goal is sin's elimination, not mere punishment. The evidence of genuine repentance follows: when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder—destroying pagan altars so thoroughly they become like pulverized chalk. The groves and images shall not stand up (asherim vechamanim lo yaqumu, אֲשֵׁרִים וְחַמָּנִים לֹא יָקֻמוּ)—no toleration of idolatrous asherim (wooden poles representing fertility goddess Asherah) or chamanim (incense altars/sun pillars). True repentance means radical rejection of false worship.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Throughout Israel's history, incomplete reforms left pagan elements standing (2 Kings 18:4 notes Hezekiah removed high places previous kings left). Post-exilic Judaism became fiercely monotheistic, having learned through exile's bitter lesson. Jesus similarly demands radical removal of sin (Matthew 5:29-30). The New Testament temple is believers' hearts (1 Corinthians 3:16), requiring purging of spiritual idols—anything receiving devotion belonging only to God (1 John 5:21).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this verse teach about the purpose of God's discipline—is it primarily punitive or purifying?
  2. How thorough must repentance be ('chalkstones beaten in sunder')—what half-measures is God calling you to eliminate?
  3. What modern 'groves and images' (idols of the heart) need to be completely removed from your life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
לָכֵ֗ן1 of 21
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

בְּזֹאת֙2 of 21

By this

H2063

this (often used adverb)

יְכֻפַּ֣ר3 of 21

be purged

H3722

to cover (specifically with bitumen)

עֲוֹֽן4 of 21

therefore shall the iniquity

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

יַעֲקֹ֔ב5 of 21

of Jacob

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

וְזֶ֕ה6 of 21
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

כָּל7 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

פְּרִ֖י8 of 21

and this is all the fruit

H6529

fruit (literally or figuratively)

הָסִ֣ר9 of 21

to take away

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

חַטָּאת֑וֹ10 of 21

his sin

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

בְּשׂוּמ֣וֹ׀11 of 21

when he maketh

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

כָּל12 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

כְּאַבְנֵי13 of 21

all the stones

H68

a stone

מִזְבֵּ֗חַ14 of 21

of the altar

H4196

an altar

כְּאַבְנֵי15 of 21

all the stones

H68

a stone

גִר֙16 of 21

as chalkstones

H1615

lime (from being burned in a kiln)

מְנֻפָּצ֔וֹת17 of 21

that are beaten in sunder

H5310

to dash to pieces, or scatter

לֹֽא18 of 21
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָקֻ֥מוּ19 of 21

shall not stand up

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

אֲשֵׁרִ֖ים20 of 21

the groves

H842

asherah (or astarte) a phoenician goddess; also an image of the same

וְחַמָּנִֽים׃21 of 21

and images

H2553

a sun-pillar


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 27:9 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 27:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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