Did the Lord strike Israel
as he struck the one who struck Israel?(A)
Was Israel killed like those killed by the Lord?
You disputed with Israel
by banishing and driving her away.[a]
He removed her with his severe storm
on the day of the east wind.
Therefore Jacob’s iniquity(B) will be atoned for in this way,
and the result of the removal of his sin will be this:(C)
when he makes all the altar stones
like crushed bits of chalk,
no Asherah poles or incense altars will remain standing.

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Footnotes

  1. 27:8 Hb obscure

Has the Lord struck her
    as he struck(A) down those who struck her?
Has she been killed
    as those were killed who killed her?
By warfare[a] and exile(B) you contend with her—
    with his fierce blast he drives her out,
    as on a day the east wind(C) blows.
By this, then, will Jacob’s guilt be atoned(D) for,
    and this will be the full fruit of the removal of his sin:(E)
When he makes all the altar stones(F)
    to be like limestone crushed to pieces,
no Asherah poles[b](G) or incense altars(H)
    will be left standing.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 27:8 See Septuagint; the meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
  2. Isaiah 27:9 That is, wooden symbols of the goddess Asherah