Isaiah 6:1

KJV

¶ In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

KJV (with Strong's)

In the year {H8141} that king {H4428} Uzziah {H5818} died {H4194} I saw {H7200} also {H853} the Lord {H136} sitting {H3427} upon a throne {H3678}, high {H7311} and lifted up {H5375}, and his train {H7757} filled {H4392}{H853} the temple {H1964}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In the year of King 'Uziyahu's death I saw Adonai sitting on a high, lofty throne! The hem of his robe filled the temple.

Berean Standard Bible

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple.

American Standard Version

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 6:1 serves as the profound opening to the prophet Isaiah's commissioning vision, a pivotal moment that grounds his entire prophetic ministry. It masterfully establishes a stark contrast between the transient nature of earthly kingship, symbolized by King Uzziah's death, and the eternal, unshakeable sovereignty of the Lord. In a moment of national uncertainty, Isaiah is granted a breathtaking glimpse into the divine throne room, revealing God's transcendent majesty, supreme authority, and overwhelming holiness, whose glorious presence fills the very temple. This vision not only validates Isaiah's call but also sets the theological tone for the entire book, emphasizing God's ultimate control amidst human turmoil.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 6:1 is the dramatic pivot point in the book of Isaiah. The preceding chapters (1-5) are largely a series of pronouncements of judgment and woes against Judah and Jerusalem, detailing their spiritual corruption, social injustice, and idolatry. This grim diagnosis of the nation's condition sets the stage for the desperate need for divine intervention and prophetic warning. Chapter 6, therefore, is not merely a historical interlude but the foundational narrative of Isaiah's call, providing the divine authority and spiritual conviction necessary for him to deliver the challenging messages that follow. It transitions from the problem (Israel's sin) to the solution (God's holiness and the prophet's commissioning), directly leading to Isaiah's response to God's call in [Isaiah 6:8](/isaiah/6-8 "Isaiah 6:8 - Isaiah's Willing Response").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The phrase "In the year that king Uzziah died" is profoundly significant. King Uzziah had enjoyed a remarkably long and prosperous reign of 52 years (c. 792-740 BC) over Judah, bringing a period of stability, military strength, and economic growth. However, his reign ended tragically when he was struck with leprosy as a divine judgment for his prideful act of attempting to burn incense in the temple, a duty reserved for priests ([2 Chronicles 26:16-21](/2_chronicles/26-16 "2 Chronicles 26:16-21 - Uzziah's Sin and Leprosy")). His death would have been a moment of significant national mourning, potential political instability, and a void in leadership. It is precisely at this juncture—when earthly power falters and human hopes might wane—that Isaiah receives a glorious vision of the true, eternal King, the Lord God, seated on His throne, underscoring that divine sovereignty transcends all human circumstances. The temple, as the perceived dwelling place of God and the center of Israelite worship, was the most sacred space, making the vision's setting deeply meaningful.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several foundational themes that resonate throughout Isaiah's prophecy. The most prominent is **Divine Sovereignty Amidst Earthly Change**, asserting that while human kings rise and fall, God remains eternally enthroned, His authority absolute and unaffected by temporal events. Closely related is the theme of **God's Transcendent Majesty and Glory**, powerfully conveyed by the description of the Lord "sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple." This imagery emphasizes God's unparalleled greatness, His supreme position above all creation, and His overwhelming presence. Finally, the verse initiates the theme of **The Holiness of God**, which is further elaborated in the subsequent verses with the seraphim's cry. The "train" filling the temple foreshadows the overwhelming purity and sacredness of God, which demands a response of awe and humility, as seen in Isaiah's immediate conviction of his unworthiness in [Isaiah 6:5](/isaiah/6-5 "Isaiah 6:5 - Isaiah's Confession of Unworthiness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lord (Hebrew, _ʼĂdônây'_):** H136. An emphatic form of 'Adon', this term is used as a proper name for God, signifying His absolute mastership, sovereign authority, and ultimate ownership. Its use here immediately elevates the subject from an earthly king to the divine Ruler of all.
* **sitting (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** H3427. This primitive root implies not merely a physical posture but a settled, enduring presence. It signifies permanent reign, established authority, and often a judicial posture, indicating that God is firmly in control and exercising His royal prerogative.
* **train (Hebrew, _shûwl'_):** H7757. This term refers to the flowing hem or skirt of a royal robe. Its image filling the temple conveys the boundless, overwhelming extent of God's glory and majesty, so vast that His very garment saturates the entire sacred space, symbolizing His omnipresence and overwhelming holiness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In the year that king Uzziah died":** This opening clause provides a precise historical anchor, setting the vision within a specific, well-known period of national transition and potential vulnerability. It immediately contrasts the mortality and eventual demise of even a powerful earthly king with the eternal, unchanging nature of the divine King soon to be revealed.
* **"I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne":** This is the core of the vision, shifting focus from the earthly realm to the heavenly. "The Lord" (Adonai) is revealed not merely as present, but as actively reigning. His posture of "sitting upon a throne" denotes established authority, sovereign rule, and unshakeable control, asserting divine kingship over all circumstances.
* **"high and lifted up":** This phrase intensifies the description of the Lord's majesty and exaltation. It conveys not only physical elevation but also supreme authority, unparalleled honor, and transcendent prominence, placing God far above all earthly powers and concerns.
* **"and his train filled the temple":** This powerful visual image depicts the overwhelming, boundless glory and holiness of God. The "train" (the hem of His robe) symbolizes His vastness, indicating that His very presence is so immense that it completely saturates and fills the entire sacred space of the temple, leaving no room for anything else, emphasizing His immanence and overwhelming presence.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 6:1 is rich in **Symbolism**, particularly with the "throne" representing God's ultimate authority and the "train" of His robe symbolizing His boundless glory and overwhelming presence. The phrase "high and lifted up" employs **Hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme exaltation and majesty of God, transcending any earthly comparison. The entire verse functions as a **Theophany**, a visible manifestation of God, intended to reveal His nature and purpose to Isaiah. There is also a profound **Contrast** established between the death of King Uzziah, signifying human mortality and the end of an earthly era, and the eternal, unchanging reign of the Lord, who is "sitting upon a throne," thereby highlighting divine sovereignty over temporal human affairs.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 6:1 is a foundational text for understanding God's nature and His relationship with humanity. It unequivocally declares God's absolute sovereignty, reminding us that even amidst political upheaval, national crisis, or personal loss, the Lord remains eternally enthroned, "high and lifted up." This vision of God's transcendent majesty and overwhelming holiness is not merely an abstract theological truth but a living reality that profoundly impacts Isaiah and, by extension, all who encounter it. It underscores that God's reign is not contingent on human events or the rise and fall of earthly powers. His glory is so immense that it fills the temple, signifying His omnipresence and the sacredness of His being, which demands reverence and a recognition of human unworthiness. This encounter with God's holiness is the necessary precursor to Isaiah's commissioning, demonstrating that true service flows from a profound apprehension of who God is.

* [Psalm 93:1](/psalms/93-1 "Psalm 93:1 - The Lord Reigns")
* [Revelation 4:2](/revelation/4-2 "Revelation 4:2 - God on the Throne")
* [Exodus 40:34](/exodus/40-34 "Exodus 40:34 - God's Glory Fills the Tabernacle")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 6:1 offers profound comfort and a powerful challenge for believers today. In a world often characterized by uncertainty, political instability, and the rise and fall of leaders, this verse powerfully reminds us that our ultimate hope and security rest not in human institutions or transient earthly powers, but in the unchanging, eternal reign of God. Just as Isaiah was called to look beyond the death of a king to the living God, we are invited to lift our eyes above our immediate circumstances and fix them on the transcendent majesty of the Lord, who is always "high and lifted up," always in control, and whose glory fills all things. This vision calls us to a deeper trust in His sovereignty, to find peace in His unshakeable throne, and to respond with humility and worship in the face of His overwhelming holiness. It encourages us to re-evaluate where we place our ultimate allegiance and trust, shifting our focus from the temporal to the eternal.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the vision of God's unchanging sovereignty in Isaiah 6:1 comfort or challenge you in times of personal or national uncertainty?**
* **What does it mean for God to be "high and lifted up" in your daily life and decisions?**
* **How does the concept of God's "train filling the temple" inform your understanding of His presence and holiness in the world today?**

### FAQ

**Why is Uzziah's death explicitly mentioned at the beginning of Isaiah's vision?**

Answer: The mention of King Uzziah's death is crucial for several reasons. Historically, it marks a precise chronological point (c. 740 BC) for Isaiah's commissioning. Theologically, it establishes a stark contrast between the mortality and eventual demise of even a powerful earthly king and the eternal, unchanging reign of the divine King whom Isaiah sees. Uzziah's reign had been long and prosperous, but ended tragically with leprosy due to his pride ([2 Chronicles 26:16-21](/2_chronicles/26-16 "2 Chronicles 26:16-21 - Uzziah's Sin and Leprosy")). His death would have created a sense of national instability and vulnerability. It is precisely at this moment of earthly transition and potential anxiety that God reveals Himself as the true, eternal Sovereign, demonstrating that His kingdom is not affected by the rise and fall of human leaders.

**What does "his train filled the temple" signify about God?**

Answer: The phrase "his train filled the temple" is a powerful symbolic image conveying the overwhelming, boundless glory, majesty, and holiness of God. The "train" refers to the flowing hem or skirt of a royal robe, and its filling the entire temple signifies that God's presence and glory are so immense that they cannot be contained by any physical structure. It speaks to His **transcendence** (He is beyond earthly limits) and His **immanence** (His presence saturates the sacred space). This imagery evokes a sense of awe, reverence, and the unapproachable purity of God, similar to other biblical accounts where God's glory fills the Tabernacle ([Exodus 40:34](/exodus/40-34 "Exodus 40:34 - God's Glory Fills the Tabernacle")) or Solomon's Temple ([1 Kings 8:10-11](/1_kings/8-10 "1 Kings 8:10-11 - God's Glory Fills Solomon's Temple")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah's magnificent vision in [Isaiah 6:1](/isaiah/6-1 "Isaiah 6:1 - Isaiah's Vision of the Lord") finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The "Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up" is revealed by the Apostle John to be none other than the pre-incarnate Christ. John explicitly states in [John 12:41](/john/12-41 "John 12:41 - Isaiah Saw Jesus' Glory") that "Isaiah said these things because he saw His glory and spoke of Him." This means that the glorious, sovereign figure on the throne, whose train filled the temple, was indeed Jesus, exercising His divine authority before His earthly advent. Christ is the true King, whose reign is eternal and whose authority transcends all earthly powers, just as the vision contrasts with King Uzziah's death. Furthermore, the "high and lifted up" status of the Lord foreshadows Christ's ultimate exaltation after His crucifixion and resurrection, where God "highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name" ([Philippians 2:9](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9 - Christ's Exaltation")). The temple filled with His glory points to Jesus as the true temple, the dwelling place of God among humanity, as He declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus, the True Temple")). Ultimately, the glory of God that filled the temple in Isaiah's vision is fully manifested in Christ, who is "the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory")), and whose presence will eternally fill the new heavens and new earth, where there will be no need for a temple because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple ([Revelation 21:22-23](/revelation/21-22 "Revelation 21:22-23 - No Temple in the New Jerusalem")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 12:41

These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

Revelation 15:8

And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

Revelation 7:15

Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

Revelation 7:17

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Daniel 7:9

¶ I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment [was] white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne [was like] the fiery flame, [and] his wheels [as] burning fire.

Psalms 113:5

Who [is] like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,

Matthew 25:31

¶ When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: