Isaiah 1:22 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 1:22 mean?

Isaiah 1:22 describes Jerusalem as a city whose quality has been spoiled. God speaks through Isaiah using two familiar images: silver contaminated with waste and wine weakened with water. The images portray a community that has lost the good qualities it once had.

After the description of the city in verse 21, the words “thy silver” and “thy wine” address Jerusalem directly. A listener could picture the dull residue left from metalworking and the weaker drink produced by adding water.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 1:22

• “dross” — סִיגִים (sigim): The word refers to waste or impurities associated with metal. It gives Isaiah’s picture a sharper edge: the silver has not merely become less shiny; it has become like the unwanted material separated from metal.

• “wine” — סֹבֶא (sove): The word refers to drink, often understood here as wine. The KJV’s “wine mixed with water” presents a familiar drink made weaker by dilution.

Why Isaiah 1:22 matters

• The images describe the city’s people and conduct, not just its trade goods. The surrounding passage moves from the city’s former faithfulness in verse 21 to its leaders’ wrongdoing in verse 23.

• The change is presented as a loss from an earlier condition. “Is become” and “mixed” suggest that what was once valuable or strong has deteriorated.

• The images prepare for a response involving removal of impurities. In verse 25, God speaks of purging away the city’s “dross,” picking up the metalworking picture from verse 22.