Isa 6:5-9 | JFB | STEP | 5. undone-- ( ). The same effect was produced on others by the presence of God ( ; ; , ; ; ). lips-- appropriate to the context which describes the praises of the lips, sung in alternate responses ( , ; ) by the seraphim: also appropriate to the office of speaking as the prophet of God, about to be committed to Isaiah ( ). seen-- not strictly Jehovah Himself ( ; ), but the symbol of His presence. Lord-- Hebrew, "Jehovah."

‏ Isaiah 6:5-9

5. undone--(Ex 33:20). The same effect was produced on others by the presence of God (Jud 6:22; 13:22; Job 42:5, 6; Lu 5:8; Re 1:17).

lips--appropriate to the context which describes the praises of the lips, sung in alternate responses (Ex 15:20, 21; Is 6:3) by the seraphim: also appropriate to the office of speaking as the prophet of God, about to be committed to Isaiah (Is 6:9).

seen--not strictly Jehovah Himself (Joh 1:18; 1Ti 6:16), but the symbol of His presence.

Lord--Hebrew, "Jehovah."

6. unto me--The seraph had been in the temple, Isaiah outside of it.

live coal--literally, "a hot stone," used, as in some countries in our days, to roast meat with, for example, the meat of the sacrifices. Fire was a symbol of purification, as it takes the dross out of metals (Mal 3:2, 3).

the altar--of burnt offering, in the court of the priests before the temple. The fire on it was at first kindled by God (Le 9:24), and was kept continually burning.

7. mouth ... lips--(See on Is 6:5). The mouth was touched because it was the part to be used by the prophet when inaugurated. So "tongues of fire" rested on the disciples (Ac 2:3, 4) when they were being set apart to speak in various languages of Jesus.

iniquity--conscious unworthiness of acting as God's messenger.

purged--literally, "covered," that is, expiated, not by any physical effect of fire to cleanse from sin, but in relation to the altar sacrifices, of which Messiah, who here commissions Isaiah, was in His death to be the antitype: it is implied hereby that it is only by sacrifice sin can be pardoned.

8. I ... us--The change of number indicates the Trinity (compare Ge 1:26; 11:7). Though not a sure argument for the doctrine, for the plural may indicate merely majesty, it accords with that truth proved elsewhere.

Whom ... who--implying that few would be willing to bear the self-denial which the delivering of such an unwelcome message to the Jews would require on the part of the messenger (compare 1Ch 29:5).

Here am I--prompt zeal, now that he has been specially qualified for it (Is 6:7; compare 1Sa 3:10, 11; Ac 9:6).

9. Hear ... indeed--Hebrew, "In hearing hear," that is, Though ye hear the prophet's warnings again and again, ye are doomed, because of your perverse will (Joh 7:17), not to understand. Light enough is given in revelation to guide those sincerely seeking to know, in order that they may do, God's will; darkness enough is left to confound the wilfully blind (Is 43:8). So in Jesus' use of parables (Mt 13:14).

see ... indeed--rather, "though ye see again and again," yet, &c.