I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

ISAIAH 43:25KJV
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Isaiah 43:25 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 43:25 mean?

Isaiah 43:25 describes God declaring that He alone erases the wrongdoings of His people for His own reasons, and He chooses not to remember their sins. The verse emphasizes that God’s forgiveness is an act of His own will, not something earned by the people.

In this verse, God is speaking directly to the people of Israel, who have a long history of turning away from Him. The situation is one where God is reminding them of His unique power to forgive and His commitment to do so, not because of anything they have done, but because of His own character and purpose. The verse highlights God’s initiative and mercy in dealing with human failure.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 43:25

  • "blotteth out" (מָחָה, machah): This word means to wipe away, erase, or remove completely, like erasing writing from a scroll. It shows that God’s forgiveness is thorough—He does not just overlook sins, but removes them entirely.
  • "transgressions" (פֶּשַׁע, pesha): This term refers to deliberate rebellion or breaking away from God’s ways, not just accidental mistakes. The verse addresses serious wrongdoing, not minor slip-ups.
  • "remember" (זָכַר, zakar): In Hebrew thought, to "remember" often means to act on something, not just call it to mind. When God says He will not remember their sins, it means He will not act against them because of those sins.
  • "sins" (חַטָּאָה, chatta’ah): This word covers a range of moral failures, from missing the mark to outright wrongdoing. The verse assures that all kinds of sin are included in God’s forgiveness.

Why Isaiah 43:25 matters

  • Isaiah 43:25 clears up the idea that forgiveness is earned; instead, it shows that God forgives for His own reasons, rooted in His character, not human merit.
  • The verse emphasizes the completeness of God’s forgiveness—He not only erases sin but also chooses not to bring it up again.
  • In the wider context of Isaiah, this verse reassures Israel that despite their failures, God’s relationship with them is based on His faithfulness and mercy, not their track record.

Where else these words appear

“out” Hebrew H4229 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 6:7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
  • Deuteronomy 25:19 Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it.
  • Psalms 69:28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

“transgressions” Hebrew H6588 · used in 90 verses

  • Genesis 31:36 And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?
  • Psalms 51:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
  • Lamentations 1:14 The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand: they are wreathed, and come up upon my neck: he hath made my strength to fall, the Lord hath delivered me into their hands, from whom I am not able to rise up.