Isaiah 6:8

KJV

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here [am] I; send me.

KJV (with Strong's)

Also I heard {H8085} the voice {H6963} of the Lord {H136}, saying {H559}, Whom shall I send {H7971}, and who will go {H3212} for us? Then said {H559} I, Here am I; send {H7971} me.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then I heard the voice of Adonai saying, "Whom should I send? Who will go for us?" I answered, "I'm here, send me!"

Berean Standard Bible

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!”

American Standard Version

And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said, Here am I; send me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 6:8 encapsulates the pivotal moment of the prophet Isaiah's divine commissioning, occurring immediately after a profound vision of God's transcendent holiness and a subsequent spiritual purification. In this verse, Isaiah hears the sovereign voice of the Lord posing a direct, rhetorical question, seeking a willing messenger for a challenging, yet unspecified, divine mission. Isaiah's immediate, unreserved, and courageous response—"Here am I; send me"—serves as a timeless paradigm of availability, obedience, and humble readiness to serve God's purposes, embodying a profound commitment to the divine call.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 6:8 serves as the climactic point in Isaiah's call narrative, which unfolds from [Isaiah 6:1](/isaiah/6-1 "Isaiah 6:1 - The Vision of God's Throne"). The preceding verses detail a breathtaking **theophany** where Isaiah beholds the Lord enthroned in the temple, surrounded by seraphim whose worship fills the sanctuary. Overwhelmed by this vision of divine majesty and holiness, Isaiah cries out in [Isaiah 6:5](/isaiah/6-5 "Isaiah's Confession of Uncleanness") a lament of his own and his people's uncleanness, recognizing his unworthiness to stand before such a holy God. In a profound act of grace, a seraph touches his lips with a live coal from the altar, symbolically [purifying his sin](/isaiah/6-7 "Isaiah 6:7 - Isaiah's Cleansing"), thus atoning for his iniquity and uncleanness. It is only after this experience of profound humility, confession, and divine atonement that Isaiah is spiritually prepared to hear and respond to the Lord's urgent call for a volunteer, transitioning from a state of awe and unworthiness to one of readiness for service.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The vision in [Isaiah 6](/isaiah/6 "Isaiah 6 - Isaiah's Vision and Call") is explicitly dated "in the year that King Uzziah died" ([Isaiah 6:1](/isaiah/6-1 "Isaiah 6:1 - The Death of King Uzziah")), approximately 740 BC. Uzziah's long and prosperous reign (52 years) had brought a period of relative stability and expansion to Judah, but his death marked a significant moment of political uncertainty and spiritual decline. The stability he provided was now gone, and the nation faced growing threats from the rising Assyrian Empire. In this turbulent era, God was raising up prophets to speak His authoritative word of judgment and salvation to a wayward people. The prophetic office in ancient Israel was crucial for divine communication, often involving the delivery of unpopular and challenging messages to both kings and commoners. Isaiah's call, therefore, was not merely a personal spiritual experience but a divine intervention into a specific historical juncture, preparing him to deliver God's message to a nation on the brink of significant geopolitical and spiritual upheaval.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Isaiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **Divine Initiative and Sovereignty** in calling individuals for service; God actively seeks out messengers, demonstrating His ongoing engagement with humanity and His redemptive purposes. Secondly, Isaiah's immediate response exemplifies **Radical Obedience and Availability**, contrasting sharply with the hesitations often seen in other biblical figures (e.g., [Moses' reluctance in Exodus 3:11](/exodus/3-11 "Moses' Hesitation at the Burning Bush") or [Jeremiah's protest of youth in Jeremiah 1:6](/jeremiah/1-6 "Jeremiah's Initial Protest")). This immediate "Here am I" (Hebrew: *Hineni*) signifies not just presence but total readiness and submission to the divine will. Thirdly, the preceding cleansing underscores the theme of **Holiness as a Prerequisite for Service**; spiritual purification and atonement are essential for effective ministry and drawing near to God. Finally, the plural pronoun "us" in "Who will go for us?" introduces the profound theme of the **Divine Council** or an early intimation of the **Trinity**, suggesting a deliberation within the Godhead concerning the divine mission, emphasizing the weighty and unified nature of the call.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **heard (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** This word (H8085) denotes more than mere physical hearing; it signifies intelligent, attentive listening, often implying understanding, internal processing, and a readiness to obey. In Isaiah's context, it underscores his spiritual receptiveness to God's voice, indicating a deep internal processing of the divine communication rather than a superficial auditory experience. His subsequent, immediate response confirms this intelligent and obedient hearing.
* **Lord (Hebrew, _ʼĂdônây'_):** This term (H136) is an emphatic form of "master" or "lord," used here as a proper name for God. It emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty, supreme authority, and ownership over all creation. For Isaiah, hearing the voice of "ʼĂdônây" underscores the ultimate source of the call and the supreme authority of the one issuing the commission, demanding an unreserved and reverent response.
* **send (Hebrew, _shâlach'_):** This primitive root (H7971) carries a broad range of meanings related to sending away, forth, or out, often with the implication of delegation, commissioning, or dispatching for a specific purpose. In the Lord's question, "Whom shall I send?", it highlights the divine act of commissioning. In Isaiah's response, "send me," it becomes a plea to be chosen and empowered for that very mission, demonstrating his profound willingness to be an instrument in God's sovereign hands.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying,"**: This opening phrase immediately establishes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the communication. Isaiah is not imagining things; he is receiving an audible and authoritative word from the supreme ruler, "the Lord" (Adonai), whose majestic presence he has just witnessed. This hearing is a direct consequence of his spiritual purification, indicating that a cleansed heart is attuned and receptive to God's voice.
* **"Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?"**: This is the divine inquiry, a rhetorical question that functions as a direct call for a volunteer. The Lord is actively seeking a messenger for a specific, though unstated, mission. The use of the plural "us" is profoundly significant, interpreted variously as a majestic plural (God speaking of Himself in fullness), an allusion to the divine council (God consulting with heavenly beings like the seraphim), or, most profoundly, an early intimation of the Triune Godhead in deliberation, highlighting the corporate nature of God's redemptive plan. The question implies a mission of great importance and perhaps difficulty, requiring a willing and courageous individual.
* **"Then said I, Here am I; send me."**: This is Isaiah's immediate, unreserved, and courageous response. "Here am I" (Hebrew: *Hineni*) is an emphatic declaration of presence and availability, conveying not just "I am here" but "Behold me! I am ready and present for your purpose!" It is a posture of absolute submission and readiness to be used. The addition of "send me" makes his willingness explicit, transforming his availability into an active plea for commission. This response is a hallmark of true spiritual readiness, born out of humility and a profound encounter with God's holiness and grace.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 6:8 is rich with literary devices that amplify its theological and narrative weight. The entire chapter functions as a classic **Call Narrative**, a common biblical pattern (seen also with Moses and Jeremiah) where a prophet is divinely commissioned. This narrative typically involves a **Theophany** (God's visible manifestation), a **Confession of Unworthiness**, a **Cleansing** or assurance of forgiveness, and finally, the **Commission**. Here, the **Dialogue** between God and Isaiah is central, highlighting God's direct initiative and Isaiah's personal, volitional response. The Lord's question, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?", employs **Rhetorical Question** to invite a volunteer, emphasizing the urgent need for a willing heart rather than demanding an answer. Isaiah's repetition of the root `shâlach` (to send) in his response ("send me") directly echoes God's question ("Whom shall I send?"), creating a powerful sense of **Echo** and immediate, direct alignment with the divine will. The emphatic "Here am I" (Hebrew: *Hineni*) is a form of **Exclamation** that conveys profound readiness, availability, and a posture of humble submission.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 6:8 stands as a foundational text for understanding the nature of divine calling and human response. It underscores that God is always actively seeking willing instruments for His redemptive purposes, and that true availability stems from a posture of humility and spiritual cleansing. The divine question, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?", reveals God's active pursuit of messengers, while Isaiah's "Here am I; send me" exemplifies the ideal human response: immediate, unreserved, and born of a heart transformed by divine encounter. This exchange highlights the crucial partnership between divine initiative and human volition in the outworking of God's sovereign plan. It teaches that genuine service flows not from self-sufficiency or inherent worthiness, but from a profound awareness of God's holiness and one's own need for grace, leading to a humble yet bold commitment to His will.

* [Exodus 3:10](/exodus/3-10 "Moses' Call and Commission")
* [Jeremiah 1:7](/jeremiah/1-7 "Jeremiah's Commissioning Despite His Youth")
* [Romans 10:15](/romans/10-15 "The Necessity of Being Sent to Preach")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 6:8 provides a profound blueprint for our own spiritual lives and service within God's kingdom. It challenges us to cultivate a heart that is not only attentive to God's voice but also spontaneously and unreservedly available for His purposes. Just as Isaiah's vision of God's holiness and subsequent cleansing preceded his call, we are reminded that a deep, transformative encounter with God's character and grace often precedes and prepares us for His service. Our "Here am I; send me" should be a declaration born not of presumption or self-confidence, but of humility, recognizing our continuous need for God's cleansing, empowerment, and guidance. This verse encourages us to be watchful for divine invitations to serve, whether in grand public ministries or in quiet, everyday acts of obedience within our spheres of influence. It calls us to lay aside our excuses, fears, and perceived inadequacies, trusting that the God who calls also equips, empowers, and sends. Our greatest contribution to God's kingdom often begins with a simple, willing "yes" to His sovereign call, whatever the cost or challenge may be.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "hearing the voice of the Lord" mean for you in your daily life, and how do you cultivate that attentiveness and spiritual receptivity?**
* **In what specific areas of your life or community might God be asking, "Whom shall I send?", and what prevents you from responding with "Here am I; send me"?**
* **How does Isaiah's prior experience of confession and cleansing relate to your own readiness for God's service and your understanding of spiritual preparation?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to make yourself more available and responsive to God's call, trusting in His provision and guidance?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the plural "us" in God's question, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?"**

Answer: The plural pronoun "us" (Hebrew: *lanu*) in [Isaiah 6:8](/isaiah/6-8 "Whom Shall I Send?") has been interpreted in several significant ways by biblical scholars. One common understanding is the "majestic plural," where God refers to Himself in a way that emphasizes His grandeur, authority, and the fullness of His being, similar to a king using "we" in a royal decree. Another view suggests it refers to the "divine council," a concept found in ancient Near Eastern literature and alluded to elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., [1 Kings 22:19-23](/1_kings/22-19 "Micaiah's Vision of the Heavenly Council")), where God deliberates with heavenly beings like the seraphim who are present in the vision. A third, and theologically profound, interpretation sees it as an early, veiled intimation of the Trinity—God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—in counsel regarding the divine mission. Regardless of the precise interpretation, it underscores the weighty and significant nature of the mission being proposed and the unified purpose within the Godhead concerning humanity's salvation and redemption.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 6:8 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and mission of Jesus Christ. While Isaiah responded with a willing "Here am I; send me," Jesus is the ultimate "Sent One" of God, the perfect embodiment of this divine commission. He did not merely respond to a call; He was eternally the very purpose and fulfillment of God's sending. As the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God"), Jesus perfectly understood and embraced the Father's will, declaring, "[For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will but the will of Him who sent Me](/john/6-38 "Jesus' Obedience to the Father's Will")" and "[Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God](/hebrews/10-7 "Christ's Willingness to Do God's Will")" (quoting Psalm 40). His entire earthly life was a living "Here am I; send me," culminating in His sacrificial death and resurrection, which opened the way for humanity's cleansing and reconciliation with God. Moreover, just as God sent Isaiah, Christ, having accomplished His mission, commissions His followers: "[As the Father has sent Me, I also send you](/john/20-21 "Jesus Sends His Disciples")". Thus, Isaiah's call becomes a prototype for the call of every believer to participate in Christ's ongoing mission, empowered by His Spirit, to bear witness to His saving grace to a world in need.

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

Exodus 4:10

¶ And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I [am] not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I [am] slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

Exodus 4:13

And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand [of him whom] thou wilt send.

Acts 26:16

But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

Acts 26:17

Delivering thee from the people, and [from] the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

Ephesians 3:8

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Acts 22:21

And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.

Isaiah 65:1

¶ I am sought of [them that] asked not [for me]; I am found of [them that] sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation [that] was not called by my name.