The Initial Setting: Isaiah beholds the LORD seated on a throne, exalted above all, with the train of His robe filling the temple. The scene is overwhelming: seraphim attend the LORD, worship fills the space, and the very foundations tremble as the temple becomes saturated with smoke (Isaiah 6:1–4).
The Central Images:
| Symbol | Meaning / Interpretation |
|---|---|
| The throne and the temple filled with His robe | God’s kingship and supremacy over Judah’s earthly rulers—especially significant as Uzziah’s reign ends (Isaiah 6:1). The temple setting underscores that Isaiah’s message comes from the LORD who rules from Zion (cf. Psalm 11:4). |
| Seraphim and the “Holy, holy, holy” hymn | Heavenly attendants emphasize God’s absolute holiness—His “otherness,” purity, and moral perfection. The threefold acclamation intensifies the point (Isaiah 6:3). The worship frames Isaiah’s mission as grounded first in who God is, not merely in Israel’s problems. |
| Smoke and shaking foundations | Signs of God’s awe-inspiring presence often linked to theophany (divine appearance). Similar imagery appears at Sinai (Exodus 19:18) and in temple/dedication contexts (1 Kings 8:10–11). The vision communicates that Isaiah stands before the living God, not a human institution. |
| Isaiah’s “unclean lips” | A confession that sin affects both the prophet personally and his people corporately (Isaiah 6:5). “Lips” also relate directly to Isaiah’s calling as a speaker of God’s word—his inability highlights the need for divine cleansing before divine commission. |
| The live coal from the altar | A symbol of purification and atonement applied by God’s initiative (Isaiah 6:6–7). The altar context ties cleansing to sacrificial worship: guilt is dealt with, not ignored. Scripture does not say the coal is punishment; it is a painful-sounding but gracious act of cleansing. |
| The hardening commission (“keep hearing…”) | God’s message will expose a people already resistant, resulting in judicial hardening—their continued refusal leads to dullness and ruin (Isaiah 6:9–10). This passage is later applied to Israel’s response to Jesus and the apostles (Matthew 13:14–15; John 12:39–41; Acts 28:26–27). |
| The stump and “holy seed” | After severe judgment, a preserved remnant remains, like life hidden in a stump (Isaiah 6:13). This anticipates Isaiah’s broader theme: judgment is real, yet God keeps covenant purposes alive through a faithful seed (cf. Isaiah 10:20–22; 11:1). |
Interpret symbols primarily through Scripture itself, avoiding modern or speculative symbolism.
This vision communicates a call and commissioning shaped by God’s holiness:
How the original audience would have understood it:
Judah would have recognized temple and altar imagery as covenant worship language. The message reframes their crisis: the true issue is not merely political succession after Uzziah, but spiritual unfaithfulness before the King of all the earth. The vision warns that religious familiarity does not equal holiness—only God can cleanse and restore.
Near and layered fulfillment (without speculative timelines):
In the ancient Near East, a king’s death could threaten stability and invite foreign aggression. Isaiah’s vision answers that fear with a higher reality: while Judah’s throne changes, the LORD remains enthroned. The temple imagery also reflects Israel’s belief that the temple was the focal point of God’s covenant presence—yet Isaiah learns that God’s holiness is so immense that even the temple is “filled” and overwhelmed by His glory (Isaiah 6:1–4).
“Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: ‘Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.’” — Isaiah 6:6–7
Answer the questions below. When you choose an option, you will see the result and an explanation.
1. In Isaiah’s vision, what took the live coal from the altar and brought it to him?
2. How did Isaiah respond when he heard the divine question, “Whom shall I send?”