Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 27:9
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.
9. The condition of restoration and forgiveness. Therefore points back to the idea of Isa 27:7 the moderation of Israel’s punishment, while By this, i.e. (“on this condition”) points forward to the end of the verse, the removal of idolatrous emblems.
be purged ] be expiated (R.V. marg.).
and this is all sin ] Better: and this is the whole fruit of the taking away of his sin. “Fruit” seems here to mean contemplated or expected issue, “the aim.”
when he maketh all the stones of the altar ] Rather, that he should make all altar-stones, &c.
the groves and images, &c. ] or, the Asherim and sun-pillars (see on Isa 17:8) shall not remain standing.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
By this – This verse states the whole design of the punishment of the Jews. They were taken away from their temple, their city, and their land; they were removed from the groves and altars of idolatry by which they had been so often led into sin; and the design was to preserve them henceforward from relapsing into their accustomed idolatry.
The iniquity of Jacob – The sin of the Jewish people, and particularly their tendency to idolatry, which was their easily besetting sin.
Be purged – (see the note at Isa 1:25).
And this is all the fruit – And this is all the object or design of their captivity and removal to Babylon.
When he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalk stones – That is, Yahweh shall make the stones of the altars reared in honor of idols like chalk stones; or shall throw them down, and scatter them abroad like stones that are easily beaten to pieces. The sense is, that Yahweh, during their captivity in Babylon, would overthrow the places where they had worshipped idols.
The groves and images shall not stand up – The groves consecrated to idols, and the images erected therein (see the note at Isa 17:8).
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Isa 27:9
By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged
Gods end in sending calamities and afflictions on His people
Motives to enforce this duty of complying with the Lords end, in afflicting and bringing calamities upon us.
1. Otherwise our calamities are like to continue.
2. This may increase the affliction upon you, add more weight, and put more sting into it.
3. This may multiply your afflictions, and make them come in upon you as waves and billows in a storm.
4. This may bring more grievous evils upon you than any you have yet met with.
5. The Lord may give you over and refuse to correct any more.
6. He may leave you to spiritual judgments. Outward afflictions are His rods, but these are His swords; and when upon incorrigibleness under those, He takes up these, His wrath is raised to the height.
7. This is the way to be rejected of the Lord; for those that are not His to be rejected wholly, for those that are His to be in part rejected Jer 7:28-29).
8. This provokes the Lord to bring destruction. (D. Clarkson.)
Mortifying sin
If you would subdue your iniquity and mortify your sin–
1. Get mortifying apprehensions of it.
2. Get mortifying resolutions. Get your hearts resolved against sin; to prosecute it to the death; to engage all the strength you have, and can procure, in such a prosecution of it; resolve not to spare it; not to forbear it in the least; not to tolerate it, nor suffer it to have any quiet abode in any part of heart or life; not to enter into a parley or treaty with it; not to yield to any cessation, much less to make any peace with it, no more than the Israelites with those whom the Lord had devoted to destruction.
3. Get mortifying affections–affections which carry the heart from sin, or set it against it.
4. Get mortifying graces, three especially, love to God, faith in Him, and fear of Him.
5. Use mortifying means, those which the Lord has appointed for this end. (D. Clarkson.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 9. The groves – “And if the groves”] velo. Four MSS., two ancient, of Kennicott’s, and one ancient of my own, with the Septuagint; this makes a fuller sense.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
By this, by this manner of Gods dealing with his people, therefore, that the difference between Jacob and his enemies in their several sufferings may appear,
shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged, Heb. expiated or forgiven upon their true repentance, which shall be the happy effect of their chastisement.
This is all the fruit to take away his sin; the effect hereof shall not be to destroy the sinner, as it is in other men, but only to take away the guilt and power of their sins.
When he maketh; which sin of Jacobs shall be purged and taken away, and the judgment removed, when he shall truly repent of all his sins, and especially of his idolatry, to which they were most inclined, and for which the most of Gods judgments which they had hitherto felt had been inflicted upon them.
The altar; which by a usual enallage may be put for the altars, to wit, their idolatrous altars, as is evident from the following words. Possibly he may say the altar with respect to that particular altar which Ahaz had set up in the place of Gods own altar; and this prophecy might be delivered either to the prophet, or by him to the people, in Ahazs time, while that altar stood and was used.
As chalk stones; when he shall break all those goodly altars in pieces, which God by his law had enjoined.
That are beaten in sunder; which kind of stones are of themselves apt to break into small pieces, and by the artificer are broken into smaller pieces for making mortar. He seems to allude to that fact of Moses, who, to show his detestation of idolatry, took the golden calf, and burnt it, and ground it to powder; and intimates, that when their repentance should be sincere, it would discover itself by their zeal in destroying the instruments of their idolatry. The groves; which were frequently erected to the honour of idols, of which we have many instances in Scripture, which God therefore commanded his people to destroy, Deu 7:5; 12:3.
Shall not stand up; shall be thrown down with contempt and indignation.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
9. By thisexile of Israel(the “sending away,” Isa27:8).
purgedexpiated[HORSLEY].
all the fruitThis isthe whole benefit designed to be brought about by thechastisement; namely, the removal of his (Israel’s) sin (namely,object of idolatry; Deu 9:21;Hos 10:8).
when heJehovah; at thedestruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, His instrument. The Jewsever since have abhorred idolatry (compare Isa17:8).
not stand upshall riseno more [HORSLEY].
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged,…. Or “expiated”, or “atoned” a; not that afflictions are atonements for sin, or give satisfaction to divine justice for it; but they are the means of bringing the Lord’s people to a sense of their sins, and to repentance and humiliation for them, and confession of them, and of leading them to the blood and sacrifice of Christ, by which they are expiated and atoned, and which the Spirit of God brings near, and applies unto them; whereby their sins, they are convicted of by means of afflictions, and which lay heavy upon their consciences, are purged away, and removed from them:
and this [is] all the fruit, to take away sin; this is the design and use of afflictions, the profit and advantage of them to the saints, that, being humbled for their sins, they depart from them, leave and forsake them; as well as the guilt of them is taken away from their consciences, through the application of pardoning grace, upon their repentance; see Job 36:8 this shows another difference between the afflictions of God’s people and of others: namely, in the use and end of them. The sin of idolatry seems to be particularly designed by what follows; unless the sin of the present Jews, in their disbelief and rejection of the Messiah, should be rather intended; which, through their long affliction, they will be convinced of in the latter day, and it will be taken away from them, and be purged and expiated through the atoning sacrifice of Christ, the Saviour and Deliverer, they will embrace, Ro 11:25:
when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder; that is, when Jacob, or the people of the Jews, being convinced of their idolatry by their afflictions, shall pull down all their idolatrous altars; perhaps particularly referring to that which Ahaz made, 2Ki 16:10 and remove the stones thereof, and break them to pieces, as chalkstones for lime, which is easily done:
the groves and the images shall not stand up; erect, to be worshipped; but shall be thrown down, demolished, and broke to pieces; and, by thus abandoning their idols and idolatrous practices, they will show the sense they have of their sins, and the sincerity of their repentance; and it is to be observed, that the Jews, after their return from the Babylonish captivity, never practised idolatry more, not in the literal sense; perhaps some respect may be had here to the time when they shall look on him whom they have pierced, and mourn; and when they shall renounce all their legal sacrifices, traditions of the elders, and their own righteousness, their idols, and look alone to the sacrifice of Christ, and declare against all the idolatry of the church of Rome, and all antichristian worship.
a “propitiabitur”, Pagninus, Montanus; “expiabitur”, Piscator.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
He was angry, but not without love; He punished, but only to be able to pardon again. “Therefore will the guilt of Jacob be purged thus: and this is all the fruit of the removal of his son: when He maketh all altar-stones like chalk-stones that are broken in pieces, Astarte images and sun-pillars do not rise up again.” With the word “therefore” ( lacen ) a conclusion is drawn from the expression “by measure.” God punished Israel “by measure;” His punishment is a way to salvation: therefore it ceases as soon as its purpose is secured; and so would it cease now, if Israel would thoroughly renounce its sin, and, above all, the sin of all sins, namely idolatry. “Thus” (by this) refers to the which follows; “by this,” namely the breaking to pieces of the altars and images of the moon goddess; or possibly, to speak more correctly, the goddess of the morning-star, and those of the sun-god as well (see Isa 17:8). By the fact that Israel put away the fundamental cause of all mischief, viz., idolatry, the guilt for which it had yet to make atonement would be covered, made good, or wiped away (on cuppar , see at Isa 22:14). The parenthesis (cf., Isa 26:11) affirms that this very consequence would be all the fruit ( col – peri ) desired by Jehovah of the removal of the sin of Israel, which the chastisement was intended to effect.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
9. Therefore in this manner shall the iniquity of Jacob be expiated. After having spoken of the chastisement of the people, he begins to state more clearly that the Lord promotes the interests of his people by these chastisements, so that they derive benefit from them. He had mentioned this formerly, but now he explains it more fully, that all the chastisements which God inflicts will tend to wash away the sins of his people, that thus they may be reconciled to God.
A question arises, Are our sins expiated by the stripes with which God chastises us? For if it be so, it follows that we must satisfy God for our sins, as the Papists teach. These two things are closely connected. If God punish us for our sins in order to expiate them, when punishments are not inflicted, satisfactions must come in their room. But this difficulty will be easily removed, if we consider that here the Prophet does not handle the question, whether we deserve the forgiveness of sins on account of our works, or whether the punishments which God inflicts on us may be regarded as making amends for them. He simply shews that chastisements are the remedies by which God cures our diseases, because we are wont to abuse his goodness and patience. God must therefore bring us to acknowledgment of our sins, and to patience; and thus the punishments which he inflicts as chastisements for our sins are remedies, because our desires may be said to be consumed by them as by fire, (203) to which also Scripture frequently compares them. (Psa 66:10.) In no respect can they yield satisfaction, but men are prepared by them for repentance. Hence he shews, therefore, that the godly have no reason for exclaiming against God’s chastisements, and that they ought to acknowledge, on the contrary, that their salvation is thus promoted, because otherwise they would not acknowledge the grace of God. If any person wish to have a short reply, we may state it in a single word, that chastisements expiate our offenses indirectly, but not directly, because they lead us to repentance, which again, in its turn, brings us to obtain the forgiveness of sins.
And this is all the fruit, the taking away of his sin. Some render it in the genitive case, “the fruit of the taking away of his sin;” but I prefer to read it in the nominative case. כל, ( chōl,) all, frequently means, “great and abundant;” and therefore it denotes the plentiful fruit by which the chastisements will be followed. In a word, he intends to commend to us God’s chastisements on the ground of their usefulness, that the godly may bear them with calmness and moderation, when they know that by means of them they are purged and prepared for salvation. (204) And immediately afterwards the Prophet explains his meaning more clearly by speaking of abolishing superstitions. So long as the people of Israel enjoyed prosperity, they did not think of repentance; for it is natural to men that prosperity should make them insolent and harden them more and more. He therefore shews how, in chastising his people, God also takes away their sin, because, having formerly indulged in wickedness and proceeded to greater lengths in sinning in consequence of his goodness and forbearance, they shall now know that they were justly punished, and shall change their life and conduct.
When he shall have made all the stones of the altar. Here Isaiah, by a figure of speech, exhibits a single class, so as to explain the whole by means of a part, and describes in general terms the removal of idolatry and superstitions; for he does not speak of the altar which was consecrated to God, but of that which they had erected to their idols. Thus, when the stones of it shall have been broken, and the idols thrown down and destroyed, so that no trace of superstition shall be seen, the iniquity of the people shall at the same time be removed.
Hence it ought to be remarked, first, that we ought not to expect pardon from the Lord, unless we likewise repent of our sins; for whosoever flatters himself must be the object of the anger of God, (205) whom he does not cease to provoke, and our iniquity is taken away only when we are moved by a true feeling of repentance. Secondly, it ought to be observed, that though repentance is an inward feeling of the heart, yet it brings forth its fruits before men. In vain do we profess that we fear God, if we do not give evidence of it by outward works; for the root cannot be separated from its fruits. Thirdly, it ought to be inferred, that idolatry is chiefly mentioned here, because it is the source of all evils. So long as the pure worship of God and the true religion are maintained, there is also room for the duties of brotherly kindness, which necessarily flow from it; but when we forsake God, he permits us also to fall into every kind of vices. And this is the reason why, under the name of idolatry, he includes likewise other acts of wickedness. Besides, we see that he condemns not only statues and images, but everything that had been invented by the Jews contrary to the injunction of the law; and hence it follows that he sets aside every kind of false worship.
That groves and images may never rise again. By adding this, he shews how strongly God abhors idolatry, the remembrance of which he wishes to be completely blotted out, so that not even a trace of it shall henceforth be seen. Yet the Prophet intended to express something more, namely, that our repentance ought to be of such a kind that we shall steadfastly persevere in it; for we will not say that it is true repentance, if any one, through a sudden impulse of feeling, shall put down superstitions, and afterwards shall gradually allow them to spring up and bud forth; as we see to be the case with many who at first burn with some appearance of zeal, and afterwards grow cold. But here the Prophet describes such steadfastness that they who have once laid aside their filth and pollution maintain their purity to the end.
(203) Bogus footnote
(204) Bogus footnote
(205) Bogus footnote
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(9) By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged.The pronoun may refer either to the chastisement of the previous verse as the instrument of purification (preferably), or to the destruction of idols which follows as the result and proof of that purification, the end contemplated by Jehovah in His chastisements.
This is all the fruit to take away his sin.Better, of taking away his sin. The words repeat the thought of the previous clause. The fruit of repentance and forgiveness will be found in rooting out all vestiges of idol-worship. The LXX., when I shall take away their sins, is quoted by St. Paul in Rom. 11:27.
The groves and images.Literally, as elsewhere, the Asherahs, or the sun-images, the two leading features of the cultus which Israel had borrowed from the Phnicians. In the action of Josiah (2Ch. 34:3-4) we may, with little doubt, trace a conscious endeavour to fulfil the condition which Isaiah had thus proclaimed. He sought to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the groves and the carved (sun) images, and molten images.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
9. By this By this sending away to Babylon.
Purged Of idolatrous tendencies forever.
The fruit to take away his sin The object or overruling purpose of the captivity.
As chalkstones The old idolatrous altars in Judea are to crumble down as chalk crumbles in long weathering. The limestone of Judea is what, in geology, is called cretaceous, and easily crumbles or wears away. Likewise the old idolatrous groves, in which licentious rites were enacted, shall be cut down, and the sun images (Ashtoreth and Baal) destroyed.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Isa 27:9-11. By this therefore, &c. By this, &c.And this shall be all the fruit of removing his sin, that he make all the stones of the altar as chalkstones beaten asunder, &c. Isa 27:10 because the defenced city [Babylon] shall be desolate; a mansion broken in pieces and left, &c. Nothing can more commodiously answer to a flourishing state of the church, than the purity of the doctrine and worship of that church; whereby, being freed from superstition, idolatry, and the ridiculous ceremonies of false religion, and utterly renouncing those vices, it serves God in spirit and truth, with pure hands and an upright heart; and this is the attribute which the prophet here claims to the delivered church; wherein he describes, first, metaphorically, or mystically, this attribute of pure doctrine and worship; Isa 27:9 secondly, he adds the reason and argument, drawn from the state of the defenced city, which was thought to be the chief mother of idolatry and superstition; namely, Babylon, the judgment upon whom is related properly in the 10th verse, and figuratively in the 11th. The meaning of the 9th verse is this: “Therefore, because all punishment and chastisement of the church has for its end the purification of the church, the iniquity of Jacob shall be purified by this very thing:” that is to say, Jacob shall obtain remission of sins, and the assurance of that benefit; and with remission of sins, a deliverance from the evils and calamities oppressing him: And this shall be all the fruit of his sin removed: that is to say, “This shall be an undoubted sign and argument of the total removal of his sins, namely, that he make all the stones of the altar, &c.that he destroy all the monuments of idolatry, and hereby shew his attachment to the true God.” In the next verse the reason for so doing is subjoined; because the defenced city, that Babylon which so confided in its idols, is become solitary, and utterly destroyed. It is remarkable that the Jews, after the Babylonish captivity, never fell into idolatry. The reader will easily observe, that Babylon is spoken of in the 11th verse metaphorically, under the image of a tree rooted up, withering, and fit only for the fire. Some understand by the women here, the Medes, who were an effeminate and luxurious people. This prophecy may refer not only to Babylon, but to the other famous and idolatrous cities, as Antioch and Persepolis, the latter of which particularly was set on fire by a woman. See Quint. Curt. lib. v. c. 7. and Vitringa.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Isa 27:9 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.
Ver. 9. By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged. ] Hac re – i.e., deportations in Babyloniam, saith Piscator: “by this,” that is, by their being carried captive into Babylon, as it was made a means to bring the elect to repentance. As one poison is antidotary to another, so is affliction to sin. Crosses are leeches to suck out the noxious blood, flails to thresh off our husks, files to brighten our graces, &c. Sanctified afflictions, said Mr Dod, are good promotions. “Corrections of instructions are the way of life,” Pro 16:23 For though “not joyous but grievous at present, yet afterwards they yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them that are thereby exercised.” Heb 12:11 It fareth with God’s afflicted as it did once with those that had the sweating sickness in this land – if they slept, they died. To keep them waking, therefore, they were smitten with rosemary branches, whereat though they cried out, You kill me! you kill me! yet it proved a happy means to keep them alive. It was good for David that he was afflicted, Psa 119:71 it rid him of those two evil humours, high mindedness and earthly mindedness. Psa 131:1
And this is all the fruit.
To take away his sin.
When he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalk stones.
a Dr Godwyn.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
By this = In this way.
iniquity. Hebrew. avah. App-44.
purged = covered: i.e. atoned for. Hebrew. kaphar. See note on Exo 29:33.
this is all the fruit = all this is the fruit or result.
sin. Hebrew. chata’. App-44.
the altar = [all] altars.
as = no better than.
in sunder = to pieces.
the groves = the Asherahs. App-42.
images = images of Ashtoreth. See note on Isa 17:8.
not = no more.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
this therefore: Isa 1:24, Isa 1:25, Isa 4:4, Isa 48:10, Psa 119:67, Psa 119:71, Pro 20:30, *marg. Eze 20:38, Eze 24:13, Dan 11:35, Mal 3:2, Mal 3:3, 1Co 11:32, Heb 12:6, Heb 12:9-11
when: 2Ki 25:9, 2Ki 25:13-17, 2Ch 36:19, Ezr 3:2, Ezr 3:3, Eze 11:18, Eze 24:11-14
the groves: Isa 1:29, Isa 2:12-21, Isa 17:8, Hos 14:8, Mic 5:13, Mic 5:14, Zec 13:2
images: or, sun images, 2Ch 14:5, 2Ch 34:4
Reciprocal: Gen 42:36 – all these things are against me Gen 44:16 – iniquity Lev 26:30 – I will destroy 1Sa 5:4 – the head 1Sa 30:2 – slew not 2Ki 23:4 – Baal Job 33:19 – chastened Isa 2:18 – the idols Isa 10:12 – when the Lord Isa 26:9 – for Isa 30:22 – defile Jer 17:3 – and thy Jer 46:28 – will I Eze 6:3 – and I will Eze 6:6 – your altars Eze 16:39 – they shall throw Eze 16:41 – and I Eze 20:34 – General Eze 23:27 – will I Hos 14:3 – neither Mic 1:7 – all the graven Mic 5:12 – General Hab 1:12 – for Zep 1:3 – stumblingblocks Mal 2:4 – that my Joh 15:2 – and Rom 11:27 – when
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Isa 27:9. By this therefore By this manner of Gods dealing with his people; shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged Hebrew, , expiated, or forgiven: that is, by these chastisements Jacob shall be brought to true repentance, and in consequence thereof shall be pardoned. And this is all the fruit The effect designed to be produced, by these severe corrections; to take away his sin Not to destroy the sinner, as others are often destroyed by the calamities brought upon them, but only to take away the guilt and power of his sins; when he, &c. Which sin of Jacob shall be taken away, and the punishment thereof removed, when he shall give such an evidence of the reality of his repentance as to destroy all the objects, instruments, means, and signs of idolatry out of the land; when he maketh the stones of the altar Namely, the idolatrous altar, or altars, as chalk-stones That is, broken into small pieces, and reduced to powder and dust. Possibly he may say, the altar, with respect to that particular altar which Ahaz had set up in the place of Gods altar; and this prophecy might be delivered in Ahazs time, while that altar stood and was used. He seems to allude to Mosess showing his detestation of idolatry, by taking the golden calf, burning it, and grinding it to powder: and he intimates that when their repentance should be sincere, it would discover itself in a similar way. It must be observed, that of all sins, which are of a heinous nature, the Jews, till they were carried into captivity, were most inclined to idolatry, and for that sin especially, most of Gods judgments, which they had hitherto suffered, had been inflicted upon them. But of that most unreasonable and wicked inclination they were in a great measure cured by that severe punishment, the seventy years captivity in Babylon. The groves and images shall not stand up Shall be thrown down with contempt and indignation.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
27:9 By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this [is] all the {i} fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten asunder, the idols and images shall not stand up.
(i) He shows that there is no true repentance nor full reconciliation to God, till the heart is purged from all idolatry and the monuments of it are destroyed.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
God would forgive Israel’s iniquity in the same restrained fashion. He would provide for the pardoning of Israel’s sin. This is a wonderful expression of salvation by grace. Consequently, Israel would not pursue idolatry any longer. Neither would there be any more need for sacrificial altars.