Keraia
Isaiah 6

Isaiah 6:13

Isaiah’s Commission · Isaiah 6:1–13
Read Isaiah 6

Translations

Modern
And though a tenth remains in the land, it will be burned again. As the terebinth and oak leave stumps when felled, so the holy seed will be a stump in the land.”
Traditional
But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.
Literal
And still are in it a tenth, and will it return and be for burning, like the terebinth and oak that in falling is a stump in them. The seed of holiness is its stump.”
Latin
Et adhuc in ea decimatio, et convertetur, et erit in ostensionem sicut terebinthus, et sicut quercus quæ expandit ramos suos; semen sanctum erit id quod steterit in ea.

Original

Hebrew
English
And though a tenth remains in the land, it will be burned again. As the terebinth and oak leave stumps when felled, so the holy seed will be a stump in the land.”

Notes

Isaiah 6:13

  • Even if a tenth, a remnant, survives, the judgment would continue until almost all are destroyed. Isaiah often spoke about near destruction or decimation (almost complete destruction; Isaiah 9:18–21; 10:20; 22:4; 48:19; 51:18). But Isaiah also kept hope alive. A remnant would survive and begin again (7:21–22; 29:23; 37:31; 44:26; 49:19; 54:1).

  • the holy seed will be a stump in the land: The stump is like the base of a tree that remains after it is cut down. It represents a remnant of holy people (see Isaiah 4:2–3). From this small beginning, a new leader would come who pleased the Lord (11:1).

Isaiah 6:1–13

Isaiah’s great vision of the Lord as King on his throne was a turning point in his life. This vision shaped his work as a prophet.

Scholars understand the historical setting of this event in two main ways:

  1. Some see Isaiah 6 as Isaiah's original call to ministry. This would mean Isaiah 1–5 and 7–12 belong to the time of King Ahaz. Ahaz began to rule after King Uzziah died(Isaiah 6:1).

    If this is correct, Isaiah’s call did not appear at the beginning of the book for literary reasons. Perhaps the author placed the call in chapter 6 to end chapters 1–5 and introduce chapters 7–12.

    Isaiah’s personal cleansing and commissioning show what the whole nation needed. The people also needed to turn back to God if they were to fulfill their calling to be God’s light to the world.

  2. Others believe that chapters 1–12 follow a chronological order (in the order events happened).

    In this view, chapter 6 does not describe Isaiah’s first call. Instead, it describes a recommissioning. This means God sent Isaiah again to serve in a new way.

    This new stage of ministry took place during the time of Ahaz. During this period, people would reject Isaiah’s message.

    Supporters of this interpretation refer to Isaiah 2:7–9; 3:16–24; and 5:8–14. They argue that these sections describe a time of wealth, military strength, pride, and luxury. These conditions fit the reign of Uzziah but not the reign of Ahaz.

Events

Parallels

Matthew 13:10–17 Mark 4:10–12 Acts 28:16–31

Glossary

Angel Apocalyptic Book of Amos Ezekiel, Book of Host, Host of Heaven Isaiah (Person) Isaiah, Book of Ordain, Ordination Prayer Presence of God Prophet, Prophetess Remnant Root of Jesse Teil Terebinth Vision, Visions

Topics

Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of War and Other Judgments Teil Tree: General Scriptures Concerning The Jews: A Spiritual Seed of True Believers Always Among The Oak-Tree of the Church The Oak-Tree: Casting Its Leaves in Winter Trees: (Casting Their Leaves Yet Retaining Their Substance) of Trees: Different Kinds of Mentioned: Deciduous or Casting the Leaves Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Leaves Trees: Teil