Isaiah 6:6

KJV

Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, [which] he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:

KJV (with Strong's)

Then flew {H5774} one {H259} of the seraphims {H8314} unto me, having a live coal {H7531} in his hand {H3027}, which he had taken {H3947} with the tongs {H4457} from off the altar {H4196}:

Complete Jewish Bible

One of the s'rafim flew to me with a glowing coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar.

Berean Standard Bible

Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar.

American Standard Version

Then flew one of the seraphim unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 6:6 captures a profound moment in the prophet Isaiah's inaugural vision, depicting a seraphim bringing a live coal from the heavenly altar to touch Isaiah's lips. This dramatic act serves as a divinely orchestrated purification, directly addressing Isaiah's confession of sin and uncleanness, thereby preparing him for sacred prophetic service. The scene powerfully underscores the unapproachable holiness of God and the absolute necessity of divine cleansing for any human to stand in His presence or engage in His holy work.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into the fabric of Isaiah's foundational call narrative in [Isaiah 6](/isaiah/6 "Isaiah 6 - Isaiah's Call and Vision"). The preceding verses, [Isaiah 6:1-4](/isaiah/6-1-4 "Isaiah 6:1-4 - Isaiah's Vision of God's Throne"), establish a majestic and awe-inspiring vision of God enthroned in glory, surrounded by seraphim proclaiming His absolute holiness with the tri-fold cry, "Holy, holy, holy!" This overwhelming display of divine majesty immediately elicits from Isaiah a profound sense of his own unworthiness and the sinfulness of his people, culminating in his cry of "Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips" in [Isaiah 6:5](/isaiah/6-5 "Isaiah 6:5 - Isaiah's Confession of Unclean Lips"). The purifying act of the seraphim in [Isaiah 6:6](/isaiah/6-6 "Isaiah 6:6 - The Live Coal of Purification") directly responds to this confession, providing the necessary cleansing that enables Isaiah to be fit for divine service. This purification is the prerequisite for his subsequent hearing of God's call and his willing response, "Here am I; send me!" in [Isaiah 6:8](/isaiah/6-8 "Isaiah 6:8 - Isaiah's Response to God's Call"), thereby establishing a crucial theological sequence: divine revelation leads to human confession, which is met by divine purification, resulting in readiness for divine commission.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The vision is explicitly dated "in the year that King Uzziah died" ([Isaiah 6:1](/isaiah/6-1 "Isaiah 6:1 - The Year King Uzziah Died")), placing it around 740 BC. Uzziah's long reign (52 years) had brought a period of significant stability and prosperity to Judah, but his death marked a transition into political uncertainty and, crucially, a time of spiritual decline and moral compromise within the nation, as evidenced by Isaiah's earlier prophecies (e.g., [Isaiah 1:2-4](/isaiah/1-2-4 "Isaiah 1:2-4 - Israel's Rebellion")). Culturally, the imagery employed in the vision draws heavily from the Jerusalem Temple and its ritual practices. The "altar" ([Isaiah 6:6](/isaiah/6-6 "Isaiah 6:6 - The Altar's Fire")) immediately evokes the altar of burnt offering, central to Israelite worship and the system of atonement. The pervasive concept of ritual purity and the stringent requirements for cleansing before approaching the holy God were deeply ingrained in Israelite religious life (e.g., [Leviticus 10:3](/leviticus/10-3 "Leviticus 10:3 - God's Holiness and Those Who Approach Him")), making the vision's imagery profoundly resonant and comprehensible to Isaiah's audience. The seraphim's use of "tongs" to handle the sacred coal further emphasizes the extreme holiness and dangerous power of objects associated with God's presence, mirroring the meticulous care required of priests in handling sacred vessels and offerings within the earthly temple.

* **Key Themes:** The central and most pervasive theme throughout [Isaiah 6](/isaiah/6 "Isaiah 6 - Isaiah's Call and Vision") is the **absolute holiness of God**, which stands in stark and terrifying contrast to **human sinfulness**. Isaiah's immediate and visceral "woe" ([Isaiah 6:5](/isaiah/6-5 "Isaiah 6:5 - Isaiah's Confession")) perfectly encapsulates humanity's inherent impurity and inability to stand before a perfectly pure and holy God. The subsequent act of the seraphim bringing the coal from the altar introduces the crucial theme of **divine purification and atonement**, demonstrating God's sovereign initiative and gracious provision for dealing with the problem of sin. This cleansing is not an end in itself but is directly linked to the theme of **preparation for divine service** and prophetic ministry, illustrating that God equips those He calls by first purifying them from their defilement. The altar itself, from which the coal is taken, symbolizes the very place where reconciliation between God and humanity occurs through sacrifice, thereby foreshadowing the ultimate means of atonement that God would provide. This chapter sets the stage for Isaiah's entire prophetic ministry, which is characterized by a relentless call to repentance and a profound vision of God's redemptive plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **seraphims (Hebrew, _sârâph'_):** H8314 from שָׂרַף; burning, i.e. (figuratively) poisonous (serpent); specifically, a saraph or symbolical creature (from their copper color); fiery (serpent), seraph. The term literally means "burning ones" or "fiery ones," emphasizing their radiant, perhaps consuming, appearance. In this context, it highlights their association with God's intense, unapproachable holiness and their role as His immediate attendants. Their very nature underscores the awe-inspiring and formidable presence of God.
* **live coal (Hebrew, _ritspâh'_):** H7531 feminine of רֶצֶף; a hot stone; also a tessellated pavement; live coal, pavement. This word denotes a burning ember or intensely hot stone, highlighting its active, purifying properties. Its origin "from off the altar" is crucial, signifying its sacred and atoning power, as the altar was the designated place of sacrifice and expiation for sin. The "live" aspect emphasizes its active, transformative capacity.
* **altar (Hebrew, _mizbêach'_):** H4196 from זָבַח; an altar; altar. The altar, whether in the earthly temple or its heavenly counterpart in this vision, was the focal point for sacrifices, representing the divinely appointed place of atonement and reconciliation between God and humanity. The coal's origin from this sacred place imbues it with the power of expiation and purification, signifying that the cleansing Isaiah receives is not merely symbolic but is divinely sanctioned and efficacious, drawing its power from the very heart of God's provision for sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then flew one of the seraphims unto me":** This phrase depicts a swift, direct, and purposeful action. The seraphim, a high-ranking angelic being intimately connected with God's holiness and throne, is dispatched specifically to Isaiah. The act of "flying" (H5774, _ʻûwph_, to fly) emphasizes the immediacy, urgency, and divine origin of this intervention, bridging the vast chasm between the heavenly throne room and the prophet's earthly location. It signifies that God Himself initiates the process of purification.
* **"having a live coal in his hand":** The seraphim carries a potent instrument of purification. The "live coal" (H7531, _ritspâh_) is not merely warm but actively burning, signifying its active, transformative, and consuming power. Its presence in the seraphim's "hand" (H3027, _yâd_, indicating power, means, and authority) implies divine precision, control, and authority in its application. This is not a random act but a divinely appointed one.
* **"[which] he had taken with the tongs from off the altar":** This clause provides crucial details about the coal's origin and handling. The use of "tongs" (H4457, _melqâch_, tweezers) indicates that the coal is intensely hot and profoundly sacred, too holy to be touched directly, even by a seraphim. This detail underscores the extreme holiness of the divine realm and the objects associated with God's presence. Its source "from off the altar" (H4196, _mizbêach_) is paramount; this is not just any fire, but fire from the place of sacrifice and atonement, imbuing the coal with expiatory and sanctifying power, making it an agent of divine cleansing.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 6:6 is profoundly rich in **Symbolism**. The "live coal" itself is a potent symbol of divine purification, atonement, and the consuming fire of God's holiness that both judges and cleanses. Its origin "from off the altar" further imbues it with the sacrificial and expiatory power associated with the temple's central place of offering for sin. The "seraphim" symbolize the fiery, holy nature of God's attendants and His immediate, unapproachable presence, acting as agents of His divine will. The act of touching the coal to Isaiah's "lips" is also deeply symbolic, directly addressing his confession of "unclean lips" ([Isaiah 6:5](/isaiah/6-5 "Isaiah 6:5 - Isaiah's Confession")) and signifying his purification and consecration specifically for speaking God's holy words. The passage also employs vivid **Imagery**, painting a striking and memorable picture of the flying angelic being, the glowing, intensely hot ember, and the solemn, precise act of purification. This powerful imagery engages the reader's senses, conveying the profound spiritual reality and the awe-inspiring nature of the encounter, making the abstract concept of divine holiness and cleansing tangible.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 6:6 powerfully illustrates the immutable biblical principle that sinful humanity cannot stand in the unmediated presence of a holy God without divine intervention and purification. The live coal from the altar, a place of sacrifice and atonement within the Old Testament cultic system, signifies that cleansing from sin is not achieved by human effort or merit but solely by God's gracious provision and initiative. This dramatic act anticipates the broader theological truth that all true reconciliation, forgiveness, and preparation for service flow from God's sovereign act to deal with human sin. It underscores the absolute necessity of atonement as the prerequisite for fellowship with God and for any effective and consecrated ministry. The fire, which both consumes and purifies, represents God's holy nature that judges sin yet provides the means for its removal.

* [Leviticus 16:16](/leviticus/16-16 "Atonement for the Sanctuary")
* [Psalm 51:7](/psalm/51-7 "Cleanse Me with Hyssop")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Without Shedding of Blood There is No Forgiveness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah's transformative experience in this verse offers a profound and enduring lesson for believers across all generations: before we can effectively serve God, truly speak on His behalf, or even fully comprehend His holiness, we must first confront our own sinfulness and receive His divine cleansing. Just as Isaiah felt utterly undone by his "unclean lips" in the overwhelming presence of God's holiness, we too are called to acknowledge our spiritual impurity and our desperate need for God's grace. The coal from the altar, a potent symbol of God's atoning provision, serves as a powerful reminder that our purification is not a self-generated achievement but a gracious and sovereign act initiated by God. This passage calls us to cultivate a posture of profound humility and honest confession, trusting that God, in His infinite holiness and boundless mercy, provides the means for us to be made clean and thoroughly equipped for His divine purposes. It invites us to deeply consider what "unclean lips"—whether through gossip, deceit, bitterness, or unconfessed sin—or any other unaddressed impurities might be hindering our intimate communion with God and our effectiveness in advancing His kingdom. Our readiness for God's work begins with His cleansing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific areas of my life, particularly my words, thoughts, or actions, do I need God to purify and consecrate for His service?**
* **How does Isaiah's immediate and profound confession of sin in God's presence challenge my own approach to confession, repentance, and seeking forgiveness?**
* **In what ways does this passage affirm God's sovereign initiative in preparing and equipping us for ministry, rather than relying solely on our own strength or perceived worthiness?**
* **How does the powerful symbolism of the "live coal from the altar" find its ultimate fulfillment and personal application in the cleansing I experience through the atoning work of Jesus Christ?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the seraphim bringing the coal to Isaiah's lips specifically?**

Answer: The seraphim's precise action directly addresses Isaiah's confession in [Isaiah 6:5](/isaiah/6-5 "Isaiah 6:5 - Isaiah's Confession of Unclean Lips"), where he cries, "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." In ancient Near Eastern thought, the lips, as the primary instrument of speech, were often seen as a significant source of defilement and a conduit for sin, reflecting the heart's condition. By touching the live coal to Isaiah's lips, God was performing a targeted and symbolic purification of the very instrument through which Isaiah would speak God's holy word. This act signified that his message would now be divinely cleansed, consecrated, and empowered, enabling him to deliver God's pure truth without the impediment of his own or his people's sin. It was a specific preparation for his prophetic vocation.

**What does the "live coal" symbolize in this context?**

Answer: The "live coal" is a profoundly rich and powerful symbol of divine purification, atonement, and consuming holiness. Its origin "from off the altar" is absolutely crucial, as the altar was the sacred place where sacrifices were made to atone for sin within the Old Testament temple system. The fire on the altar was considered holy, representing God's fiery presence, His judgment against sin, but also His gracious provision for expiation. Thus, the coal carries the dual power of both judgment (consuming impurity) and cleansing (purifying what remains). It is a tangible representation of God's active and immediate intervention to remove Isaiah's sin and make him acceptable for sacred service, drawing its efficacy from the very heart of God's atoning provision.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 6:6, with its dramatic depiction of purification through a live coal from the altar, finds its ultimate, perfect, and eternal fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament altar provided a temporary, ritualistic, and symbolic cleansing that needed to be repeated, Christ's singular sacrifice on the cross is the definitive and eternal atonement for sin, making true, comprehensive, and permanent purification possible for all who believe. The "live coal" from the altar powerfully foreshadows the consuming fire of God's holiness, which is met and satisfied not by animal sacrifice, but by the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Our "unclean lips" and our entire sinful nature are not merely touched by an ember but are thoroughly cleansed and redeemed by the precious and efficacious blood of Jesus Christ ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed by the Precious Blood of Christ")). Through Christ, we are not just ritually purified but are made entirely new creations ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")), empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to speak God's truth with clean hearts and consecrated lips. The cleansing Isaiah experienced was a prophetic glimpse of the complete and permanent purification available to us through our [Great High Priest, Jesus](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest"), who entered the true heavenly sanctuary once for all and secured eternal redemption ([Hebrews 9:11-12](/hebrews/9-11-12 "Hebrews 9:11-12 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice and Eternal Redemption")).

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

Revelation 8:3

And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer [it] with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

Revelation 8:5

And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast [it] into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

Hebrews 9:22

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Hebrews 9:26

For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Ezekiel 10:2

And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, [even] under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter [them] over the city. And he went in in my sight.

Hebrews 13:10

We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

Hebrews 1:7

And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.