Isaiah 1:25 kjv

And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:

Isaiah 1:25 nkjv

I will turn My hand against you, And thoroughly purge away your dross, And take away all your alloy.

Isaiah 1:25 niv

I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities.

Isaiah 1:25 esv

I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy.

Isaiah 1:25 nlt

I will raise my fist against you.
I will melt you down and skim off your slag.
I will remove all your impurities.

Isaiah 1 verses

Isaiah 1 25 Meaning

Isaiah 1:25 proclaims God's decisive and transformative judgment upon Jerusalem/Judah. It reveals that the Lord's powerful intervention, symbolized by the "turning of His hand," is not aimed at complete annihilation but at a severe yet purposeful purification. Through this process, He vows to meticulously refine and thoroughly remove all moral corruption, sin, injustice, and rebellious elements, which are likened to worthless "dross" and "alloy" from a precious metal. This divine action aims to restore the nation to its original purity and covenant faithfulness.

Isaiah 1 25 Context

Isaiah chapter 1 serves as God's divine lawsuit against Judah and Jerusalem, setting the stage for the entire book of Isaiah. It begins by arraigning the nation for its rebellion and spiritual adultery (vv. 2-3). God depicts them as a morally sick people, despite their outward religious observances (vv. 4-9). He rejects their empty rituals, emphasizing that He desires justice, righteousness, and mercy more than sacrifices (vv. 10-17). He then offers a stark choice between purification and destruction (vv. 18-20).

Verses 21-23 mourn Jerusalem's transformation from a faithful city to one steeped in unfaithfulness, injustice, and violence, particularly among its leaders. Verse 24 declares God's righteous wrath against these corrupt elements, promising retribution upon His adversaries. Against this backdrop of severe judgment and pronouncements of punishment, verse 25 introduces God's profound purpose: the "turning of My hand" (His intervention in judgment) is not for utter annihilation but for a refining and purifying work. It signifies that the pain of judgment serves a redemptive purpose, aiming to remove the inherent moral sickness, enabling restoration rather than ultimate destruction for a repentant remnant. Historically, this prophecy came during a time when Judah was corrupt, facing internal decay and external threats, where religious formalism overshadowed genuine faith and justice.

Isaiah 1 25 Word analysis

• And I will turn My hand (וְאָשִׁיבָה יָדִי, v'ashiva yadi): "My hand" signifies divine power, intervention, authority, and often judgment or corrective action. "Turn" indicates a forceful, direct, and deliberate application of this power. It underscores God's active involvement in their state.

  • Significance: God is the sovereign agent initiating this purifying judgment, it's not accidental misfortune.

• upon you (עָלַיִךְ, alayikh): Directly addressed to Judah/Jerusalem, emphasizing that this divine action is personal and specific to the nation described as rebellious and corrupt in prior verses.

• And thoroughly purge away (וְאֶצְרֹף כַּבֹּר, v'etz'rof ka'bôr): Etz'rof (purge/refine) uses the metaphor of smelting metal, separating precious material from impurities. Ka'bôr (as with lye/soda) intensifies this imagery, suggesting an extremely effective, even chemically assisted, deep purification process beyond mere skimming.

  • Significance: God's purification will be comprehensive, intensive, and painful, leaving nothing hidden.

• your dross (סִיגָיִךְ, sigayikh): The impurities that rise to the surface when metal is refined, revealing its true worth or lack thereof.

  • Metaphorical meaning: Represents sin, corruption, wickedness, injustice, idolatry, and corrupt leaders within Judah. These are worthless elements that diminish the nation's spiritual and moral value.

• And take away (וְאָסִירָה, v'asira): Implies complete removal and separation, making the purified substance clean and valuable. This action is definitive and conclusive.

• all your alloy (כָּל־בְּדִילָיִךְ, kol-b'dilayikh): B'dilayikh (your alloy/tin). Tin was commonly used as an adulterant in metals like silver, cheapening them. "All" emphasizes the completeness of this removal.

  • Metaphorical meaning: Further specifies the worthless additions, moral pollutants, and those who embody this decay, implying they have adulterated their relationship with God.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "My hand upon you": Reinforces the concept of direct divine intervention and targeted discipline. This indicates God’s active presence in the nation’s life, not abandonment, even in judgment.
  • "purge away your dross and take away all your alloy": This pairing functions as a hendiadys, two expressions emphasizing a single, intensive concept of comprehensive cleansing. It underscores the exhaustive nature of God’s refinement, treating sin and corruption as undesirable elements that must be separated from true spiritual substance for its restoration and value.
  • Metallurgical Imagery: The sustained use of terms from metal refining ("purge away," "dross," "alloy") profoundly communicates that God views the sin within His people as impurities that degrade their intrinsic worth. This painful process, though akin to fire, is necessary for ultimate transformation and restoration to a state of holiness and faithfulness.

Isaiah 1 25 Bonus section

• The phrase "as with lye" (כַּבֹּר, ka'bôr) implies not just separation, but an active, intense chemical purification process. It suggests God will not merely skim the surface of their sin but penetrate deeply to cleanse from within. Some ancient commentators understand kabor as lead, used as a flux in refining to draw off impurities more effectively.
• This verse directly follows the indictment of Judah for having "silver become dross" and "wine mixed with water" (Isa 1:22). Verse 25 is God's active, corrective response to reverse this spiritual and moral degradation, restoring their spiritual "silver" to its original purity and value.
• The promise of purification and restoration articulated in this verse establishes a foundational prophetic theme that runs throughout Isaiah's book and beyond, culminating in the future hope of a truly righteous Zion, established through Christ. It's a key declaration that God's justice is always linked to His redemptive purpose for His covenant people.

Isaiah 1 25 Commentary

Isaiah 1:25 provides profound insight into the redemptive nature of God’s judgment. In the midst of His stern rebuke against Judah's deep-seated corruption and hypocrisy, God articulates His ultimate purpose for such severe discipline: purification. This verse demonstrates that God, the sovereign Master of His creation, views His people not as beyond hope but as precious metal debased by impurities. He actively intervenes—"turning His hand"—to initiate a painful but vital refining process. The "dross" and "alloy" symbolize the nation’s systemic sin, unjust leadership, and spiritual adultery, which God is determined to eradicate. This process, likened to smelting with a potent agent like lye, signifies an intense and thorough cleansing, ensuring that nothing impure remains. The goal is not annihilation but the restoration of Jerusalem's original righteous character (as promised in Isa 1:26), revealing a holy remnant. Thus, God's fiery discipline is an act of covenant love, stripping away what devalues His people to reveal their true, refined self, prepared for future blessing and faithful service.

• Practical usage examples: (1) A challenging life season that exposes personal idols and pushes one towards deeper dependence on God. (2) A community facing division and conflict, leading to difficult but necessary repentance and renewal of biblical principles. (3) The experience of biblical characters, such as Job, whose severe trials, though devastating, ultimately refined their faith and revealed a purified character.