Keraia
Isaiah 6

Isaiah 6:7

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

Translations

Modern
And with it he touched my mouth and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your iniquity is removed and your sin is atoned for.”
Traditional
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.
Literal
And he touched it upon my mouth and said, “Behold, this has touched upon your lips; and is turned aside your iniquity, and your sin is wiped away.”
Latin
…et tetigit os meum, et dixit: Ecce tetigit hoc labia tua, et auferetur iniquitas tua, et peccatum tuum mundabitur.

Original

Hebrew
English
And with it he touched my mouth and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your iniquity is removed and your sin is atoned for.”

Notes

Isaiah 6:7

your iniquity is removed and your sin is atoned for: The prophet's experience of forgiveness anticipated Israel's need for national forgiveness and cleansing (Isaiah 43:25; 44:22; see study note on Isaiah 39:6–7).

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.

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah Salvation in Isaiah Visions

Events

Parallels

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

Glossary

Angel Apocalyptic Cleanness and Uncleanness, Regulations Concerning Coal Ezekiel, Book of Host, Host of Heaven Incense Isaiah, Book of Ordain, Ordination Prayer Presence of God Prophecy Prophet, Prophetess Vision, Visions

Topics

Blessing: Spiritual, from God Christian Minister: Character and Attributes of Coal: Symbolical Fire of Inspiration God: Mercy of Ministers: Qualified by God Missionary Work by Ministers: God Qualifies For Prophets: Inspiration of Purity of Heart Sin: Forgiveness of Visions: To Isaiah