Keraia
Isaiah 27

Isaiah 27:9

The LORD’s Vineyard · Isaiah 27:1–13
Read Isaiah 27

Translations

Modern
Therefore Jacob’s guilt will be atoned for, and the full fruit of the removal of his sin will be this: When he makes all the altar stones like crushed bits of chalk, no Asherah poles or incense altars will remain standing.
Traditional
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.
Literal
Therefore by this the iniquity of Jacob will be wiped away, and this is all the fruit, to take away his sin: In His setting all the stones of the altar, as stones of chalk crushed to pieces; they will not rise—the Asherah poles and incense altars.
Latin
Idcirco super hoc dimittetur iniquitas domui Jacob; et iste omnis fructus: ut auferatur peccatum ejus, cum posuerit omnes lapides altaris sicut lapides cineris allisos: non stabunt luci et delubra.

Original

Hebrew
English
Therefore Jacob’s guilt will be atoned for, and the full fruit of the removal of his sin will be this: When he makes all the altar stones like crushed bits of chalk, no Asherah poles or incense altars will remain standing.

Notes

Isaiah 27:9

  • God's justice requires him to punish sin to correct behavior and purify. The exile in Babylon happened to cleanse Israel's wickedness and remove all of Israel's sins (see Romans 11:27).

  • This aimed to end all pagan worship in Israel, including the incense altars and the poles used for worshiping the goddess Asherah.

Isaiah 27:7–11

Isaiah reminded readers of the reasons for the exile and judgment:

  • Israel’s sinfulness,

  • God’s righteous judgment, and

  • the absence of divine compassion.

Isaiah 24:1–27:13

This section is often called the Little Apocalypse. It is given this name because it has similarities to the book of Revelation.

In these chapters, Isaiah moves from his present time into a vision of the future. The language is broad and universal. Because of this, it is difficult to connect the events to one specific historical situation.

These chapters are not meant to provide a detailed timeline of future events. They are not a historical blueprint. Instead, Isaiah uses vivid images to describe a dramatic future world that is both similar to and different from the present.

The vision includes elements of both the old age and the new age. For example, the people of Zion are described as righteous (new), yet they still wait for their full redemption (old). This pattern fits with the New Testament teaching that the future age has already begun but has not yet fully arrived (2 Corinthians 4:4; Galatians 1:4).

Peter wrote that believers were already living in the last days (1 Peter 1:12; 2 Peter 3:3). At the same time, he said that the final day of the Lord is still future (2 Peter 3:10). These passages show that the present age and the future age overlap.

Events

Parallels

John 15:1–8

People

Asherah: Canaanite goddess; associated with wooden poles, idolatry Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Bible, Quotations of the Old Testament in the New Testament Chalkstone Expiation Isaiah, Book of

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Benefits of Altar used in Idolatrous Worship Chalk: General Scriptures Concerning Groves: Forbidden to be Established Idolatry: Prophecies Relating To