Isaiah 6:7

KJV

And he laid [it] upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he laid {H5060} it upon my mouth {H6310}, and said {H559}, Lo, this hath touched {H5060} thy lips {H8193}; and thine iniquity {H5771} is taken away {H5493}, and thy sin {H2403} purged {H3722}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He touched my mouth with it and said, "Here! This has touched your lips. Your iniquity is gone, your sin is atoned for."

Berean Standard Bible

And with it he touched my mouth and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your iniquity is removed and your sin is atoned for.”

American Standard Version

and he touched my mouth with it, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin forgiven.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 6:7 encapsulates the pivotal moment of divine purification and commissioning for the prophet Isaiah. Following his profound encounter with God's transcendent holiness and his confession of personal and national uncleanness, a seraph touches Isaiah's lips with a live coal from the altar. This supernatural act is immediately accompanied by the declaration that his iniquity is taken away and his sin purged, signifying a complete and miraculous cleansing that prepares the otherwise unworthy prophet to receive and faithfully proclaim God's holy message, thus enabling him to stand in the divine presence and embark on his formidable prophetic ministry.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic purification within Isaiah's commissioning vision, detailed in [Isaiah 6](/isaiah/6 "Isaiah 6 - Isaiah's Call and Commission"). The chapter begins with Isaiah's awe-inspiring encounter with the enthroned Lord, surrounded by seraphim proclaiming God's absolute holiness ([Isaiah 6:1-3](/isaiah/6-1 "Isaiah 6:1-3 - Vision of God's Throne")). Overwhelmed by this divine majesty and his own profound unworthiness, Isaiah cries out in despair, acknowledging his "unclean lips" and the sinfulness of his people ([Isaiah 6:5](/isaiah/6-5 "Isaiah 6:5 - Isaiah's Confession of Uncleanness")). In direct response to this heartfelt confession, a seraph takes a live coal from the altar and touches Isaiah's mouth ([Isaiah 6:6](/isaiah/6-6 "Isaiah 6:6 - The Seraph and the Live Coal")), an action that immediately precedes and is explained by the declaration of cleansing in verse 7. This purification is the indispensable prelude to Isaiah's acceptance of God's call to ministry in [Isaiah 6:8](/isaiah/6-8 "Isaiah 6:8 - Isaiah's Willingness to Serve"), powerfully illustrating that divine cleansing is a prerequisite for divine service.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Isaiah's vision is precisely dated to "the year that King Uzziah died" ([Isaiah 6:1](/isaiah/6-1 "Isaiah 6:1 - The Setting of Isaiah's Vision")), a period of significant political and spiritual instability for the kingdom of Judah. Uzziah's long and generally prosperous reign had ended, leaving a void and an increasingly corrupt nation that, despite outward religious observance, was drifting into idolatry and social injustice. Within Israelite culture, the concept of ritual purity was paramount, especially concerning access to God's presence and the sacred spaces of the Temple. Sin rendered an individual unclean and unfit to approach the holy God. The altar, particularly the altar of burnt offering, was the designated place for sacrifices that provided atonement and purification, symbolizing the divinely ordained means by which sin was addressed. The seraph's act of taking a coal from this specific altar would have resonated deeply with the Israelite understanding of divine judgment, the need for expiation, and the prescribed means of cleansing from defilement, albeit performed here through a direct, supernatural intervention rather than a human ritual.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme of [Isaiah 6](/isaiah/6 "Isaiah 6 - Isaiah's Call and Commission") is the **transcendent holiness of God** juxtaposed with humanity's **radical sinfulness**. Isaiah's vision vividly portrays God's unapproachable purity, which stands in stark contrast to the prophet's self-identified "unclean lips" and the "unclean lips" of his people ([Isaiah 6:5](/isaiah/6-5 "Isaiah 6:5 - Isaiah's Confession of Uncleanness")). This stark contrast highlights the theme of **divine judgment** against sin, but immediately introduces the equally powerful theme of **divine grace and purification**. God's sovereign initiative in cleansing Isaiah demonstrates that access to His presence and effective service is solely possible through His merciful intervention. This purification is not merely for personal salvation but is intrinsically linked to **preparation for prophetic ministry**, underscoring the truth that those who are to speak for God must first be made holy by God. The imagery of the altar and the live coal also subtly introduces the theme of **atonement**, foreshadowing the ultimate means by which sin would be truly and permanently purged.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **nâgaʻ (Hebrew, _nâgaʻ'_):** This primitive root, meaning "to touch," "lay the hand upon," or "reach," is used twice (implied in "laid" and explicit in "touched") in [Isaiah 6:7](/isaiah/6-7 "Isaiah 6:7 - Isaiah's Purification") to describe the seraph's direct physical contact with Isaiah's mouth. The repetition and context emphasize a deliberate, personal, and transformative interaction. It signifies not a casual brush but a purposeful, impactful contact that facilitates a transfer—in this case, the transfer of purification and consecration from the holy altar to the prophet's defiled lips.
* **ʻâvôn (Hebrew, _ʻâvôn'_):** This term refers to "perversity," "moral evil," "iniquity," or the "punishment of iniquity." It denotes the crookedness or distortion of character and action that deviates from God's righteous standard. Unlike _chaṭṭâʼâh_ (sin), which can mean "missing the mark," _ʻâvôn_ often carries the connotation of intentional rebellion, inherent moral corruption, or the deep-seated guilt and culpability arising from such deviation. Its removal signifies a profound moral rectification and the lifting of the burden of guilt.
* **kâphar (Hebrew, _kâphar'_):** A primitive root meaning "to cover," "expiate," "condone," "placate," or "cancel." This is a crucial theological term, frequently translated as "atone" or "make reconciliation." It implies a covering or removal of sin through a prescribed means, rendering the sinner clean and acceptable before God. The passive form "purged" (or "atoned for") here indicates that God Himself is the ultimate agent of this complete and effective cleansing, making Isaiah ceremonially and spiritually fit for divine service.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he laid [it] upon my mouth,"**: This clause details the direct action of the seraph, who takes the glowing coal from the altar and physically applies it to Isaiah's lips. The "it" refers to the live coal mentioned in the preceding verse. This act is profoundly symbolic, targeting the very part of Isaiah's body he identified as unclean ("unclean lips" in [Isaiah 6:5](/isaiah/6-5 "Isaiah 6:5 - Isaiah's Confession of Uncleanness")), thereby indicating that the perceived source of his defilement is being directly addressed and purified.
* **"and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips;"**: The seraph's verbal declaration immediately confirms the purpose and efficacy of the physical touch. The phrase "Lo, this hath touched thy lips" serves as an authoritative pronouncement, affirming the completion of the action and its intended effect. The lips, as the primary instrument of speech, are specifically targeted, signifying that the prophet's faculty for speaking God's word is now purified and consecrated for divine use.
* **"and thine iniquity is taken away,"**: This is the first declaration of the cleansing's profound effect. "Iniquity" (_ʻâvôn_) refers to the moral perversity and inherent guilt associated with sin. The verb "taken away" (_çûwr_) implies a complete removal, a turning off or departure of the guilt and culpability that weighed upon Isaiah. It signifies that the moral burden and spiritual defilement are entirely lifted from him.
* **"and thy sin purged."**: This second declaration reinforces the completeness and comprehensiveness of the purification. "Sin" (_chaṭṭâʼâh_) refers to missing God's mark or falling short of His divine standard. "Purged" (_kâphar_) signifies a complete covering, expiation, or atonement. This means that not only is the guilt removed, but the defilement and the consequences of the sin are also thoroughly cleansed, making Isaiah ritually and spiritually clean and acceptable before a holy God.

#### Literary Devices
The passage is exceptionally rich in **Symbolism**. The **live coal** from the altar symbolizes both divine judgment (fire as a consuming force) and divine purification (fire as a refining agent). Its origin from the **altar** powerfully connects the cleansing to the sacrificial system, hinting at the concept of atonement and expiation. The **lips** symbolize the instrument of speech, highlighting Isaiah's specific concern about his "unclean lips" ([Isaiah 6:5](/isaiah/6-5 "Isaiah 6:5 - Isaiah's Confession of Uncleanness")) and foreshadowing his future role as God's consecrated mouthpiece. The physical act of **touching** is symbolic of direct divine intervention and the transfer of holiness or purification from God's sacred realm to the human realm. There is also a strong element of **Contrast** evident between Isaiah's confessed uncleanness and God's immediate, effective purification, profoundly emphasizing the infinite chasm between human sinfulness and divine holiness, a chasm bridged only by God's sovereign grace and initiative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 6:7 stands as a powerful testament to God's initiative in cleansing and forgiving sin, a foundational truth woven throughout biblical theology. This immediate and complete purification of Isaiah, achieved through a supernatural act connected to the altar, foreshadows the ultimate divine provision for human sin. It demonstrates that true access to God's presence and effective service for Him are only possible through His gracious intervention to remove our defilement. The removal of "iniquity" and the purging of "sin" speak to a comprehensive divine work that addresses both the guilt and the defilement of humanity's fallen state, preparing the way for a restored relationship with a holy God and participation in His redemptive purposes.

* [Psalm 103:12](/psalms/103-12 "Psalm 103:12 - God Removes Transgressions")
* [Micah 7:18-19](/micah/7-18 "Micah 7:18-19 - God's Forgiveness and Compassion")
* [Zechariah 3:3-5](/zechariah/3-3-5 "Zechariah 3:3-5 - Joshua the High Priest Cleansed")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah's profound experience in [Isaiah 6:7](/isaiah/6-7 "Isaiah 6:7 - Isaiah's Purification") offers a timeless paradigm for our own spiritual journey and calling. Before we can truly serve God in any meaningful capacity, we must first confront our own sinfulness in the radiant light of His absolute holiness, just as Isaiah did in [Isaiah 6:5](/isaiah/6-5 "Isaiah 6:5 - Isaiah's Confession of Uncleanness"). This honest confession is not an end in itself but the necessary prelude to receiving God's miraculous and transformative cleansing. Just as the seraph's touch removed Isaiah's iniquity and purged his sin, so too does God, through His boundless grace, offer complete forgiveness and profound purification to all who humble themselves before Him and acknowledge their need. This divine cleansing empowers us, transforming our weaknesses, defilements, and perceived unworthiness into instruments fit for His sacred service, enabling us to speak His truth and live out His purposes with boldness, integrity, and spiritual authority. It serves as a powerful reminder that our ability to engage effectively in God's mission flows directly and entirely from His prior work of sanctification and grace in our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life do you feel "unclean" or unworthy to serve God, and how might you bring these before Him?**
* **How does Isaiah's experience of immediate and complete purification encourage you regarding God's willingness to forgive and cleanse your past and present sins?**
* **What specific "lips" (e.g., words, communication, influence, public testimony) in your life might God be calling to purify and consecrate for His service in the world today?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "live coal" in Isaiah's purification?**

Answer: The live coal, taken directly from the altar ([Isaiah 6:6](/isaiah/6-6 "Isaiah 6:6 - The Seraph and the Live Coal")), is profoundly significant. In the Israelite sacrificial system, the altar was the sacred place where sins were atoned for through fire and sacrifice, representing God's justice and mercy. The coal, being "live" or burning, symbolizes both the purifying power of God's holiness and the consuming nature of His judgment against sin. Its fiery touch on Isaiah's lips signifies a radical, immediate, and divinely initiated act of cleansing that removes the defilement of sin, making him fit to stand in the presence of a holy God and speak His words. It powerfully connects the purification to the concept of atonement, where sin is covered, expiated, or removed.

**How does this purification relate to Isaiah's prophetic calling?**

Answer: Isaiah's purification in [Isaiah 6:7](/isaiah/6-7 "Isaiah 6:7 - Isaiah's Purification") is not merely for his personal holiness but is a direct and necessary preparation for his prophetic ministry. Having confessed his "unclean lips" ([Isaiah 6:5](/isaiah/6-5 "Isaiah 6:5 - Isaiah's Confession of Uncleanness"))—the very instrument of his speech—his lips are supernaturally purified. This act transforms him into a consecrated vessel, capable of speaking God's holy words without defilement. Immediately after this profound cleansing, when God asks, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" ([Isaiah 6:8](/isaiah/6-8 "Isaiah 6:8 - Isaiah's Willingness to Serve")), Isaiah is able to respond with unreserved willingness, "Here am I; send me." His purification is the indispensable prerequisite that enables him to accept and faithfully fulfill his divine commission.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah's purification in [Isaiah 6:7](/isaiah/6-7 "Isaiah 6:7 - Isaiah's Purification") finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The live coal from the altar, symbolizing a fiery, atoning cleansing, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate 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"). While Isaiah's cleansing was a powerful symbolic act for a specific prophetic call, Christ's sacrifice on the cross provides a complete, once-for-all, and eternal atonement for all who believe, truly taking away "iniquity" and purging "sin" ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Sacrifice Once for All")). Through His shed blood, believers are not merely touched by a coal but are comprehensively [washed, sanctified, and justified](/1_corinthians/6-11 "1 Corinthians 6:11 - Washed, Sanctified, Justified") in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. This profound and permanent cleansing enables all believers, not just prophets, to draw near to God with confidence and a true heart ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Confidence to Enter the Holy Place")) and to be made ministers of a new covenant, speaking the words of God with purified lips and hearts, empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit ([2_corinthians/3-6](/2_corinthians/3-6 "2 Corinthians 3:6 - Ministers of the New Covenant")).

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

Jeremiah 1:9

Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

1 John 1:7

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Isaiah 43:25

I, [even] I, [am] he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Daniel 10:16

And, behold, [one] like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.

Hebrews 9:13

For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

Hebrews 9:14

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Isaiah 53:5

But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.