Isaiah 6:5

¶ Then said I, Woe [is] me! for I am undone; because I [am] a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

Then said {H559} I, Woe {H188} is me! for I am undone {H1820}; because I am a man {H376} of unclean {H2931} lips {H8193}, and I dwell {H3427} in the midst {H8432} of a people {H5971} of unclean {H2931} lips {H8193}: for mine eyes {H5869} have seen {H7200} the King {H4428}, the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}.

Then I said, "Woe to me! I [too] am doomed! because I, a man with unclean lips, living among a people with unclean lips, have seen with my own eyes the King, ADONAI-Tzva'ot!"

Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.”

Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of hosts.

Isaiah 6:5 captures the prophet Isaiah's profound reaction to a majestic and terrifying vision of God's holiness. This verse marks a pivotal moment in Isaiah's call to ministry, as he comes face-to-face with the overwhelming purity and power of the Almighty King.

Context

This verse immediately follows Isaiah's awe-inspiring vision in the Temple (Isaiah 6:1-4), which occurred "in the year that King Uzziah died." While earthly royalty was passing, Isaiah saw the true King, the LORD of hosts, seated on a high and lifted-up throne. The Temple was filled with His glory, attended by six-winged seraphim who cried out, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory." The very foundations of the temple shook at their voices. In the light of such transcendent holiness, Isaiah's natural human response is one of utter despair over his own sinfulness and the sin of his people.

Key Themes

  • Divine Holiness: The primary catalyst for Isaiah's outcry is the direct encounter with God's absolute purity and majesty. This vision of the thrice-holy God reveals the infinite gap between God's nature and humanity's fallen state.
  • Human Sinfulness: Isaiah's immediate reaction, "Woe is me! for I am undone," is a raw confession of his own unworthiness. He recognizes his "unclean lips," symbolizing not only impure speech but also a broader sense of moral impurity and inability to stand before a holy God. He further identifies with the collective sin of his nation, acknowledging that he dwells "in the midst of a people of unclean lips." This profound awareness of sin is a necessary precursor to true repentance and divine service.
  • The Fear of the Lord: This experience is not merely fear of punishment, but a reverent awe and dread that comes from understanding God's immense power and purity. It's a humbling realization that leads to a deep sense of inadequacy.
  • Prophetic Preparation: Isaiah's conviction of sin and subsequent cleansing (as seen in the verses that follow) are essential steps in his preparation to serve as God's prophet. An authentic encounter with God often begins with a profound awareness of one's own spiritual condition.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "Woe is me! for I am undone" is 'oy li ki nidmeiti. The word nidmeiti (or nidmeti) carries the sense of being "cut off," "silenced," "destroyed," or "ruined." It conveys a feeling of utter helplessness and impending doom in the face of God's overwhelming presence. Isaiah perceives himself as utterly ruined by the encounter, not merely in danger but already "undone." The term "unclean lips" (tame' sephathayim) highlights the mouth as a primary instrument of human expression and worship, thus emphasizing the impurity of his communication and spiritual state. "LORD of hosts" (Yahweh Sabaoth) emphasizes God's supreme power and sovereignty over all creation, including heavenly armies.

Related Scriptures

Isaiah's confession of sin in the presence of God's holiness is a powerful example of how a broken and contrite heart is the beginning of true spiritual understanding. This profound realization of unworthiness before a holy God is a common theme throughout Scripture, echoed in the confessions of other biblical figures, such as Job's admission, "I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:6), after his encounter with God. The universal truth of human sinfulness is also articulated by Paul in Romans 3:23, stating that "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

Practical Application

Isaiah's experience reminds us that a true understanding of God's holiness inevitably leads to a deep awareness of our own sinfulness. This conviction is not meant to condemn us but to lead us to repentance and reliance on God's grace. It calls us to self-examination and humility before our Creator. Just as Isaiah's lips were cleansed and he was commissioned for service (Isaiah 6:7), God offers cleansing and purpose to those who acknowledge their need for Him. This verse challenges believers to approach God with reverence, confessing their shortcomings, and allowing His holiness to transform them for His service.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 5:8

    When Simon Peter saw [it], he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

  • Luke 5:9

    For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:

  • James 3:6

    And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

  • James 3:10

    Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

  • Jeremiah 9:3

    And they bend their tongues [like] their bow [for] lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 9:8

    Their tongue [is as] an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: [one] speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait.

  • Jeremiah 1:6

    Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I [am] a child.

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