This verse reveals that true atonement for sin isn't just about God's action, but also involves a zealous, destructive removal of idolatry. The "fruit" of removing sin is seen when Jacob actively dismantles every stone of false altars, leaving no trace of forbidden worship standing.
Therefore by this the guilt of Jacob will be atoned for, and this will be the full fruit of the removal of his sin: when he makes all the stones of the altars like chalkstones crushed to pieces, no Asherim or incense altars will remain standing.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage describes God's plan to purify Jacob (Israel) from their deep-seated sin of idolatry. It follows the description of God's judgment against Israel and its enemies, highlighting that even God's discipline is meant for restoration, not just destruction. The verse emphasizes that the ultimate fruit of this divine discipline will be Israel's complete rejection of all idolatrous practices and symbols.
Why would God allow hardship? It's not just about suffering, but about spiritual transformation. This verse reveals the deeper purpose behind His 'dealing with His people'.
Isaiah 27:9 reveals that God's discipline, often experienced as harsh correction, has a profound redemptive purpose: to purge or atone for iniquity. This isn't merely punishment; it's a divinely orchestrated process designed to bring about true repentance and separation from sin.
The Fruit of Affliction
Imagine God demanding not just a change of heart, but the utter destruction of everything that represents false worship. This verse paints a vivid picture of that absolute commitment.
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The ultimate evidence and result of this divine purging is the complete and utter eradication of idolatry. Isaiah 27:9 uses powerful imagery to describe this decisive action against anything that usurms God's rightful place.
From Altar Stones to Dust
Understand the original words
'avon · Hebrew Noun
A state of moral culpability or liability to punishment for an offense against God's law; it requires expiation or atonement to be removed.
kaphar · Hebrew Verb
The act of making reconciliation or covering sin, typically through a sacrifice, to restore a broken relationship between God and humanity.
chatta'th · Hebrew Noun
The moral failure or missing of the mark set by God's standard, resulting in separation from His presence and requiring divine forgiveness.
mizbeach · Hebrew Noun
Structures dedicated to the worship of God in the Old Testament, representing the place of sacrifice, consecration, and encounter with the Lord.
'asherim · Hebrew Noun
Wooden symbols or poles associated with Canaanite fertility cults and idolatrous worship, explicitly forbidden in the worship of the God of Israel.
chamman · Hebrew Noun
Small structures used for burning incense, which were often associated with idolatrous practices when used outside of the prescribed temple worship of Yahweh.
This prophecy speaks to the purging of sin through God's judgment, specifically the Babylonian exile, which ultimately cured the Israelites of their deep-seated tendency towards idolatry, ensuring no remnants of false worship would remain.
Late 8th century BC
King Ahaz's Idolatry
During the reign of King Ahaz, Judah saw a significant increase in foreign religious practices, including the erection of altars and possibly sun images, deeply concerning to prophets like Isaiah.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar's forces deported skilled Judeans, including young men like Daniel, to Babylon, marking the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
A larger group of Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and many leaders and craftsmen, were exiled to Babylon following a rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, leading to the final, devastating exile of the remaining population of Judah to Babylon.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian king Cyrus the Great overthrew the Babylonian empire, paving the way for the return of exiled peoples to their homelands.
c. 538 BC onwards
Return from Exile
Cyrus issued a decree allowing exiled Jews to return to Judah and rebuild their Temple, leading to a gradual repopulation and restoration of Jewish life.
This passage directly commands the destruction of idolatrous altars and sacred pillars, paralleling Isaiah's vision of their complete annihilation as a sign of true repentance.
Deuteronomy 7:5Similar to Isaiah's prophecy, this command emphasizes not just destroying idols but also their associated places of worship ('altars,' 'pillars'), highlighting the thoroughness required in renouncing sin.
2 Kings 23:14This historical account details King Josiah's zealous destruction of altars and religious sites, fulfilling the prophetic language of making them like 'chalkstones crushed to pieces,' showing this cleansing was a significant act in Israel's history.
Jeremiah 10:11This prophecy speaks against idols and their makers, indirectly supporting Isaiah's theme by showing the ultimate worthlessness and coming destruction of the objects of idolatrous worship.
Romans 11:27The Apostle Paul quotes from Isaiah 59:20-21 (which shares thematic links with Isaiah 27) and connects it to God's covenant with Israel, referencing taking away their ungodliness, echoing the purging of sin mentioned in this passage.
barnesIsaiah 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."
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 t…
bensonIsaiah 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."
Isaiah 27:9 . By this therefore — By this manner of God’s dealing with his people; shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged — Hebrew, יכפר , expiated, or forgiven: that is, by these chastisements Jacob shall be brought to true repentance, and in consequen…
This verse reveals that true atonement for sin isn't just about God's action, but also involves a zealous, destructive removal of idolatry. The "fruit" of removing sin is seen when Jacob actively dismantles every stone of false altars, leaving no trace of forbidden worship standing.
This passage describes God's plan to purify Jacob (Israel) from their deep-seated sin of idolatry. It follows the description of God's judgment against Israel and its enemies, highlighting that even God's discipline is meant for restoration, not just destruction. The verse emphasizes that the ultimate fruit of this divine discipline will be Israel's complete rejection of all idolatrous practices and symbols.
This passage describes God's plan to purify Jacob (Israel) from their deep-seated sin of idolatry. It follows the description of God's judgment against Israel and its enemies, highlighting that even God's discipline is meant for restoration, not just destruction. The verse emphasizes that the ultimate fruit of this divine discipline will be Israel's complete rejection of all idolatrous practices and symbols.
"Therefore by this the guilt of Jacob will be atoned for, and this will be the full fruit of the removal of his sin: when he makes all the stones of the altars like chalkstones crushed to pieces, no Asherim or in…" — This verse reveals that true atonement for sin isn't just about God's action, but also involves a zealous, destructive removal of idolatry. The "fruit" of removing sin is seen when Jacob actively dis…
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Last reviewed October 2026
