Definition: And he laid [it] upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this beautiful passage from Isaiah 6:7. It’s a really powerful message about forgiveness and redemption! Here’s what it means, explained simply: Basically, it's saying that God has forgiven someone who is full of sin and wrongdoings. Let's unpack each part: “And he laid [it] upon my mouth…” – This suggests something significant was placed on God’s lips. It’s not a physical object, but rather an image of divine grace or forgiveness. Think of it like a gentle touch or a blessing. “…and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips…” – “Lo” means "it is" in Hebrew. So, he's saying, "It has touched my lips." This highlights the directness of the forgiveness. “And thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.” – This is the core of the message. “Iniquity” means “sin” or “fault.” It's what we all do that we don’t want to be held accountable for. "Taken away" - This is a key word. It means that the sinful actions and wrongdoings are being removed from the person’s life. “Purged” – This suggests a complete cleansing or washing away of the sin. It's like removing a stain or impurity. So, putting it all together: God is offering forgiveness to someone who has been full of sin and wrongdoings. It’s as if He gently touched them with His grace, and then removed those negative things from their life – making them free from the burden of that past mistake. What does this mean for us? It's a message of hope and redemption! It suggests that we are all capable of falling short, but God’s forgiveness can provide a path to a new beginning and a chance to be made clean. It's about letting go of the past and moving forward with peace. Important Note: This is a poetic passage from the Old Testament (specifically in Isaiah). It’s not meant to be taken literally, but rather as a symbolic representation of God’s mercy and forgiveness. --- Would you like me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the context of this passage within the broader story of the Bible?