Isaiah 1:25
Isaiah 1:25 in Multiple Translations
I will turn My hand against you; I will thoroughly purge your dross; I will remove all your impurities.
¶ And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:
and I will turn my hand upon thee, and thoroughly purge away thy dross, and will take away all thy tin;
And my hand will again be on you, washing away what is unclean as with soap, and taking away all your false metal;
I will turn against you. I will refine you in a furnace, removing all impurities.
Then I will turne mine hand vpon thee, and burne out thy drosse, till it be pure, and take away all thy tinne.
And I turn back My hand upon thee, And I refine as purity thy dross, And I turn aside all thy tin,
I will turn my hand on you, thoroughly purge away your dross, and will take away all your tin.
And I will turn my hand upon thee, and thoroughly purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:
And I will turn my hand to thee, and I will clean purge away thy dress, and I will take away all thy tin.
I will raise my fist to strike you. I will punish you severely [MET], as though [MET] you were silver and I needed to heat you very greatly to melt you and get rid of the impurities.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 1:25
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 1:25 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אָשִׁ֤יבָה
יָדִ/י֙
עָלַ֔יִ/ךְ
וְ/אֶצְרֹ֥ף
כַּ/בֹּ֖ר
סִיגָ֑יִ/ךְ
וְ/אָסִ֖ירָה
כָּל
בְּדִילָֽיִ/ךְ
וְ/אָשִׁ֤יבָה
shûwb
H7725
to return
Conj | V-Hiphil-1cs
יָדִ/י֙
yâd
H3027
hand
N-cs | Suff
עָלַ֔יִ/ךְ
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
וְ/אֶצְרֹ֥ף
tsâraph
H6884
to refine
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
כַּ/בֹּ֖ר
bôr
H1253
lye
Prep | N-ms
סִיגָ֑יִ/ךְ
çîyg
H5509
dross
N-mp | Suff
וְ/אָסִ֖ירָה
çûwr
H5493
to turn aside
Conj | V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
בְּדִילָֽיִ/ךְ
bᵉdîyl
H913
tin
N-mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 1:25
וְ/אָשִׁ֤יבָה
shûwb
H7725
"to return"
Conj | V-Hiphil-1cs
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
יָדִ/י֙
yâd
H3027
"hand"
N-cs | Suff
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.
עָלַ֔יִ/ךְ
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
וְ/אֶצְרֹ֥ף
tsâraph
H6884
"to refine"
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
To refine means to purify something, like metal, by removing impurities. In the Bible, God refines his people like silver, testing and purifying them through trials. This process makes them stronger and more faithful.
Definition: 1) to smelt, refine, test 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to smelt, refine 1a2) to test 1a3) to test (and prove true) 1a4) smelter, refiner, goldsmith (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be refined 1c) (Piel) to be a refiner 1c1) refiner (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: cast, (re-) fine(-er), founder, goldsmith, melt, pure, purge away, try. See also: Judges 7:4; Isaiah 1:25; Psalms 12:7.
כַּ/בֹּ֖ר
bôr
H1253
"lye"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to a type of lye or soap used for washing or a substance used in metal smelting. It is also used to describe something as pure. The KJV translates it as purely or never so.
Definition: lye, potash, alkali used in smelting metal
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] never so, purely. See also: Job 9:30; Isaiah 1:25.
סִיגָ֑יִ/ךְ
çîyg
H5509
"dross"
N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this word means the waste or scum that rises to the surface when metal is melted, like dross from silver. It's about refining and purifying.
Definition: 1) a moving back or away 2) dross (usually of silver)
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: dross. See also: Psalms 119:119; Isaiah 1:22; Proverbs 25:4.
וְ/אָסִ֖ירָה
çûwr
H5493
"to turn aside"
Conj | V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs
To turn aside or remove is the meaning of this verb, used in various forms throughout the Bible. It can mean to depart, avoid, or put something away, and is often used in the context of turning away from sin or wrongdoing, as seen in the actions of prophets and leaders in the Old Testament.
Definition: : remove 1) to turn aside, depart 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn aside, turn in unto 1a2) to depart, depart from way, avoid 1a3) to be removed 1a4) to come to an end 1b) (Polel) to turn aside 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to turn aside, cause to depart, remove, take away, put away, depose 1c2) to put aside, leave undone, retract, reject, abolish 1d) (Hophal) to be taken away, be removed
Usage: Occurs in 284 OT verses. KJV: be(-head), bring, call back, decline, depart, eschew, get (you), go (aside), [idiom] grievous, lay away (by), leave undone, be past, pluck away, put (away, down), rebel, remove (to and fro), revolt, [idiom] be sour, take (away, off), turn (aside, away, in), withdraw, be without. See also: Genesis 8:13; 2 Samuel 6:10; Psalms 6:9.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
בְּדִילָֽיִ/ךְ
bᵉdîyl
H913
"tin"
N-mp | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to tin or alloy, and is also used figuratively to describe Israel. It is translated as plummet or tin in the KJV.
Definition: 1) alloy, tin, dross 1a) of Israel (metaph.)
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] plummet, tin. See also: Numbers 31:22; Ezekiel 22:20; Isaiah 1:25.
Study Notes — Isaiah 1:25
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 1:25 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 1:25
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 1:25
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 1:25
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 1:25
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 1:25
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 1:25
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 1:25
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 1:25
- Sermons on Isaiah 1:25
Context — The Corruption of Zion
23Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them.
24Therefore the Lord GOD of Hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah, I will be relieved of My foes and avenge Myself on My enemies.
25I will turn My hand against you; I will thoroughly purge your dross; I will remove all your impurities.
26I will restore your judges as at first, and your counselors as at the beginning. After that you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.” 27Zion will be redeemed with justice, her repentant ones with righteousness.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malachi 3:3 | And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 9:7 | Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Behold, I will refine them and test them, for what else can I do because of the daughter of My people? |
| 3 | Isaiah 4:4 | when the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains from the heart of Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire. |
| 4 | Isaiah 1:22 | Your silver has become dross; your fine wine is diluted with water. |
| 5 | Isaiah 6:11–13 | Then I asked: “How long, O Lord?” And He replied: “Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left unoccupied and the land is desolate and ravaged, until the LORD has driven men far away and the land is utterly forsaken. And though a tenth remains in the land, it will be burned again. As the terebinth and oak leave stumps when felled, so the holy seed will be a stump in the land.” |
| 6 | Zephaniah 3:11 | On that day you will not be put to shame for any of the deeds by which you have transgressed against Me. For then I will remove from among you those who rejoice in their pride, and you will never again be haughty on My holy mountain. |
| 7 | Ezekiel 20:38 | And I will purge you of those who rebel and transgress against Me. I will bring them out of the land in which they dwell, but they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD. |
| 8 | Ezekiel 22:22 | As silver is melted in a furnace, so you will be melted within the city. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have poured out My wrath upon you.’” |
| 9 | Jeremiah 6:29 | The bellows blow fiercely, blasting away the lead with fire. The refining proceeds in vain, for the wicked are not purged. |
| 10 | Zechariah 13:7–9 | Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the man who is My Companion, declares the LORD of Hosts. Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn My hand against the little ones. And in all the land, declares the LORD, two-thirds will be cut off and perish, but a third will be left in it. This third I will bring through the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’” |
Isaiah 1:25 Summary
[Isaiah 1:25 is a promise from God that He will remove the bad things from our lives, like a refiner purifies silver or gold. He wants to make us pure and holy, like He is, as seen in verses like Leviticus 11:44-45. This process might be painful, but it's necessary for us to become the people He created us to be. By surrendering to God and repenting of our sins, we can experience His purification and restoration, as promised in verses like 1 John 1:9 and Isaiah 1:26-27.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'purge your dross' in Isaiah 1:25?
In this context, 'dross' refers to the impurities or worthless elements that are mixed with something valuable, similar to how silver or gold is refined in a furnace (Proverbs 25:4, Malachi 3:3). God is promising to remove the sinful and corrupt elements from His people.
Is God's judgment in Isaiah 1:25 only for Israel, or does it apply to all people?
While this specific verse is addressed to Israel, the principle of God's judgment and purification applies to all people, as seen in verses like Romans 2:2-3, which says God will judge all people according to their deeds.
How can we, as believers, experience the purging of our impurities mentioned in Isaiah 1:25?
We can experience this purging through repentance, confession, and surrender to God, as seen in 1 John 1:9, which says that if we confess our sins, God will forgive us and purify us from all unrighteousness.
What is the ultimate goal of God's purging and purification in Isaiah 1:25?
The ultimate goal is to restore His people to righteousness and faithfulness, as seen in the following verses, Isaiah 1:26-27, where God promises to restore judges and counselors, and Zion will be redeemed with justice and righteousness.
Reflection Questions
- What are the 'impurities' in my own life that God wants to remove, and how can I surrender them to Him?
- How does the promise of God's purification in Isaiah 1:25 give me hope and comfort in times of struggle or sin?
- In what ways can I, like Israel, be 'restored' to a right relationship with God, as promised in the following verses?
- What does it mean for me to 'turn' to God, as implied in the phrase 'I will turn My hand against you' in Isaiah 1:25?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 1:25
And I will turn my hand upon thee,.... The remnant, according to the election of grace, left in Jerusalem, Isaiah 1:9 meaning not his afflicting hand, no, not even as a fatherly chastisement; though
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 1:25
And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin: I will turn my hand - not in wrath, but in grace (Zechariah 13:7).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 1:25
I will turn my hand upon thee, to chastise thee again, which God threatened that he would not do, , but now promiseth that he will do it, not in fury, or so as utterly to destroy them, but in mercy, and with moderation, so as to purge them, as it here follows. And purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin; I will purge out of thee and destroy those wicked men that are incorrigible and infectious to others; and for those of you that are curable, I will by my word, and by the furnace of affliction, purge out all that hypocrisy and corruption that yet remains in you, and requires so sharp a cure.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 1:25
Isaiah 1:25 And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:Ver. 25. And I will turn my hand upon thee.] So Zechariah 13:7, I will turn my hand upon the little ones; so soon doth it repent the Lord concerning his servants. Here he mitigateth the former fearful menace, and promiseth a reformation. And purely purge away thy dross.] Et expurgabo, ut purificativum, scorias tuas. The wicked are the dross of the state, and wickedness is the dross and dregs of the soul. God promiseth her to purge out both, to separate the precious from the vile, to reform and refine all - a metaphor from metallaries. And I will take away all thy tin.] Thine hypocrisy: for tin hath a show of silver, but it is not so - nay, it is a deadly enemy to gold and silver, saith one, making them hard and brittle. It is also a tyrant over them, and will hardly be separated from them. Hereby are figured your most noted, rooted, and inveterate sins. Diod.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 1:25
(25) I will turn my hand upon thee.—The phrase, like the English “visit,” presents both a severe and a gracious aspect. Of the former we have instances in Psalms 81:14, Amos 1:8; of the latter in Zechariah 13:7. The context here inclines to the latter meaning. Jehovah punishes that He may save, and smites that He may heal. Purely purge away thy dross.—Better, will smelt away thy dross with lye, or potash, which was used in the smelting process. The imagery of Isa 1:22 is resumed. The great Refiner can purify the debased metal. In Malachi 3:2-3, we have the same image expanded. The process involved, of course, the rejection of the dross—i.e., in the interpretation of the parable, of the lead that would not let itself be turned to silver. Tin.—Better, perhaps, lead.
In either case Isaiah’s knowledge of metallurgy was probably due to intercourse with the Phœnicians, who brought both lead and tin from Tarshish (i.e., Spain).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 1:25
Verse 25. I will turn my hand upon thee] So the common version; and this seems to be a metaphor taken from the custom of those who, when the metal is melted, strike off the scoriae with their hand previously to its being poured out into the mould. I have seen this done with the naked hand, and no injury whatever sustained. Purge away thy dross - "In the furnace"] The text has כבר cabbor, which some render "as with soap;" as if it were the same with כברית keborith; so Kimchi; but soap can have nothing to do with the purifying of metals. Others, "according to purity," or "purely," as our version. Le Clerc conjectured that the true reading is ככור kechur, "as in the furnace;" see Ezekiel 22:18; Ezekiel 22:20. Dr. Durell proposes only a transposition of letters בכר to the same sense; and so likewise Archbishop Secker. That this is the true reading is highly probable.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 1:25
And I will turn my hand upon thee - This expression is capable of two significations. The hand may be stretched out for two purposes, either to inflict punishment, or to afford help and protection.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 1:25
25. In this verse punishment and salvation are combined: punishment as the means, salvation as the end. I will turn my hand upon thee — This with a view to vigorous correction.
Sermons on Isaiah 1:25
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Problem of Unbelief by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of allowing God to refine and purify us. He references Isaiah 1, where God promises to remove impurities from His people like |
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The Word of Knowledge by the Same Spirit by Smith Wigglesworth | Smith Wigglesworth emphasizes the importance of the word of knowledge through the Holy Spirit, urging believers to fully embrace God's revelation and mix it with faith for it to be |
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It Was Good for Me to Be Afflicted! by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the transformative power of affliction in the life of a believer, asserting that trials serve to purify the soul, reveal sin, and deepen one's relationship |
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Eradication, Suppression, or Counteraction, Which? by Charles William Butler | Charles William Butler delves into the theological terms 'eradication,' 'suppression,' and 'counteraction' in Christian holiness, emphasizing the need to base doctrines on the trut |
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Isaiah and Jerusalem by A.B. Simpson | A.B. Simpson explores the profound messages of the prophet Isaiah, emphasizing his dual focus on sin and judgment for Jerusalem, alongside a hopeful vision of redemption and restor |
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The Faith and Obedience of Churchmen, the Strength of the Church by J.H. Newman | J.H. Newman preaches on the foundational truth that the Church is built upon the confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, a truth revealed by God and taught |
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Fetch Out the Dirt and Spots by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes that God uses severe providences and fiery trials to purify His people and promote their growth in grace. He illustrates that just as a candle shines brigh |