The Prophet and His Day: Isaiah 1-39 - Free Bible Commentary

The MT has the VERB “loved” (8–(, BDB 365 I, KB 362, Qal PERFECT), but it does not seem to fitwell in this line of poetry, so some scholars assume “hold back,” +–(, BDB 362, cf. 14:6; 54:2; 58:1.} “For You have cast all my sins behind Your back” This psalm is related to Hezekiah’s relief that hehas been delivered from Sheol. Yet, somehow in Jewish mentality, disaster is always linked to sin. It isnot certain how any of Hezekiah’s actions were seen by YHWH to deserve early death. However, it is awonderful statement that God forgives and forgets. Please compare Psalm 103:11-14; Isaiah 1:18; 43:2-5; 44:22; Jeremiah 31:34; and Micah 7:19.This is such an important truth—when God forgives, God forgets! Many believers claim God’sforgiveness based on Bible promises, but have not yet experienced the complete joy of God’sforgetfulness!SPECIAL TOPIC: WORDS FOR FORGIVENESSHere are most of the Hebrew words or idioms that express divine forgiveness of human sin andrebellion.1. “forgive,” “pardon,” (-2 – BDB 699, KB 757, i.e., Exod. 34:9; Lev. 4:20, 26, 31, 35; 5:10,13, 16, 18; 6:7; 19:22; Num. 14:20; 15:25-28; 30:5,8,12; I Kgs. 8:30, 34, 36, 39, 50; Ps. 25:11;103:3; Isa. 55:7; Dan. 9:19; Amos 7:2 (this term is always used of God, never of humans)2. “wipe away,” “blot out,” !”1 (very common VERB with many meanings) – BDB 669, KB 724,i.e., Exod. 23:21; 32:32; 34:7; Num. 14:18; Josh. 24:19; Ps. 25:18; 32:1,5; 85:2; 99:8; Micah7:183. “cover,” “atone,” 95, – BDB 497, KB 493, i.e., very common in Leviticus; Ps. 65:3; 78:38;79:9; Isa. 6:7; 22:14; Jer. 18:23; Ezek. 16:63; Dan. 9:244. “blot out,” “wipe out,” %(/ – BDB 562, KB 567, i.e., Neh. 4:5; Ps. 51:1,9; Isa. 43:25; 44:22;Jer. 18:235. “heal,” !59 – BDB 950, KB 1272, i.e., II Chr. 7:14; Ps. 41:4; 103:3; Isa. 6:10; 57:18; Jer.3:22; 17:14; 30:17; Hosea 5:13; 14:46. “passing over,” 9"3 – BDB 716, KB 778, i.e., Pro. 19:11; Amos 7:8; 8:2; Micah 7:187. “wash,” 2", – BDB 460, KB 459, i.e., Ps. 51:2,7; Jer. 2:22; 4:148. “cleanse,” 9%) – BDB 372, KB 369, i.e., Lev. 16:30; Ps. 51:7; Pro. 20:9; Ezek. 24:13; 36:259. “cast behind the back,” +-– – BDB 1020, KB 1527, i.e., Isa. 38:17; Micah 7:1910. “purge,” !)( – BDB 306, KB 305, i.e., Ps. 51:7 (this connotation of divine cleansing of thiscommon VERB, is found only here)11. “hide Your face from,” 9;2 – BDB 711, KB 771, i.e., Ps. 51:912. “remember” (neg.), 9,' – BDB 269, KB 269, i.e., Isa. 43:2513. “tread on” (lit. “subdue”), –", – BDB 461, KB 460, i.e., Micah 7:1938:20 “The LORD will surely save me” See Special Topic: Salvation at 33:2.Notice the “salvation” here involved physical deliverance from death allowing future worship in thetemple, cf. v. 22; II Kgs. 20:5, much like Ps. 23:6.NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 38:21-2221Now Isaiah had said, "Let them take a cake of figs and apply it to the boil, that he mayrecover." 22 Then Hezekiah had said, "What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of theLORD?"371