Isaiah 6:1-7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 6:2

Above it stood the seraphim - שרפים seraphim , from שרף seraph , to burn. He saw says Kimchi, the angels as flames of fire, that the depravity of that generation might be exhibited, which was worthy of being totally burnt up. He covered his feet "He covereth his feet" - By the feet the Hebrews mean all the lower parts of the body. But the people of the East generally wearing long robes, reaching to the ground, and covering the lower parts of the body down to the feet, it may... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 6:3

Holy, holy, holy - This hymn performed by the seraphim, divided into two choirs, the one singing responsively to the other, which Gregory Nazian., Carm. 18, very elegantly calls Συμφωνον, αντιφωνον, αγγελων στασιν , is formed upon the practice of alternate singing, which prevailed in the Jewish Church from the time of Moses, whose ode at the Red Sea was thus performed, (see Exodus 15:20 , Exodus 15:21 ;), to that of Ezra, under whom the priests and Levites sung alternately, "O praise... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 6:5

Wo is me! for I am undone - נדמיתי nidmeythi , I am become dumb. There is something exceedingly affecting in this complaint. I am a man of unclean lips; I cannot say, Holy, holy, holy! which the seraphs exclaim. They are holy; I am not so: they see God, and live; I have seen him, and must die, because I am unholy. Only the pure in heart shall see God; and they only can live in his presence for ever, Reader, lay this to heart; and instead of boasting of thy excellence, and trusting in thy... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 6:6

A live coal - The word of prophecy, which was put into the mouth of the prophet. From off the altar - That is, from the altar of burnt-offerings, before the door of the temple, on which the fire that came down at first from heaven ( Leviticus 9:24 ; 2 Chronicles 7:1 ;) was perpetually burning. It was never to be extinguished, Leviticus 6:12 , Leviticus 6:13 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:1

In the year that King Uzziah died. The year B.C. 759, probably. We cannot determine from the phrase used whether the vision was seen before or after Uzziah's death. I saw also ; rather, then it was that I saw (comp. Exodus 16:6 ). The Lord. Not "Jehovah," as in Isaiah 6:3 and Isaiah 6:5 , but " Adonay ," for greater reverence. Sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up. The imagery is, of course, taken from the practice of earthly kings. Elaborate thrones were affected by the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:1

The vision of God. "I saw … the Lord," writes the prophet. These simple, strong words suggest to us— I. THE VISION WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE . " NO man hath seen God at any time," our Lord declares; and his declaration is sustained by the philosophic truth that he who is a Divine Spirit must be invisible to mortal eye. So far as our apprehension by sense is concerned, God must remain, to every human being, "the King eternal, immortal, invisible ." Himself, in his own essential... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:1-4

SECTION III . ISAIAH 'S VISION OF GOD UPON HIS THRONE ( Isaiah 6:1-13 .). THE VISION OF GOD SEEN BY ISAIAH . It is thought by some that this vision, and its sequel, constitute the original call of Isaiah to the prophetical office, and in order of time precede all the other contents of the book. But the position of the "vision" in the book is strongly against this view. Prophets who relate their original call naturally place it in the forefront of their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:1-4

The vision of God. Sight is a thing of degrees. The healthy eye sees with infinite shades of distinctness and indistinctness, according to the amount of light which is vouchsafed it. The diseased eye has an equal variety of gradation in its powers of seeing, owing to the variations in its own condition. And it is with our spiritual as with our natural sight. The vision which men have of God varies infinitely with varying circumstances—from extreme dimness up to perfect distinctness. Amid... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:1-4

Symbolic impressions of the Divine holiness. This is the only vision recorded in Isaiah's prophecy. It did not come at the beginning of his labors, but as an inauguration to a higher degree of the prophetic office. From the tone of the latter part of the chapter, it is evident that he had found out the rebelliousness and obstinacy of the people, and perhaps had become, like Elijah, greatly distressed and discouraged; needing, therefore, such a reviving and encouragement as this vision was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:1-13

The prophet's call and consecration. There are turning-points in life which give a meaning to the whole of its after-course. A light may be given to the 'mind at such moments by which it may have to steer its course for years. In moments of despondency the man of God will fall back on memory, and encourage himself by the recollection that, having once received and followed Divine guidance, that guidance will not desert him in the future. Such was this moment in the history of Isaiah. Life... read more

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