Isaiah 6:8

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.

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.

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

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!”

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.

Isaiah 6:8 captures a pivotal moment in the prophet Isaiah's life, marking his divine commission. Following a profound vision of God's holiness and his own spiritual cleansing, Isaiah hears the Lord's call for a messenger. His immediate and courageous response, "Here am I; send me," stands as a powerful example of availability and willingness to serve God.

Context

This verse is the climax of Isaiah's magnificent call narrative in Isaiah chapter 6. Prior to this, Isaiah witnesses the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, surrounded by seraphim. Overwhelmed by God's majesty and holiness, Isaiah cries out in confession of his own uncleanness and that of his people. A seraph then touches his lips with a live coal from the altar, signifying his atonement and purification. It is only after this experience of profound humility and divine cleansing that Isaiah is prepared to hear and respond to God's urgent question, seeking a volunteer for a challenging mission.

Key Themes

  • Divine Call and Commission: The Lord actively seeks someone to send, demonstrating God's initiative in choosing and empowering His messengers. This highlights God's ongoing need for individuals to carry His message to the world.
  • Voluntary and Immediate Response: Isaiah's "Here am I; send me" is a spontaneous and unreserved declaration of willingness. It contrasts with the hesitations often seen in other biblical figures, emphasizing a heart ready to obey.
  • Holiness as a Prerequisite for Service: Isaiah's cleansing precedes his commission, illustrating that spiritual purity and atonement are essential for effective ministry and drawing near to God.
  • The Divine Council: The Lord's question, "Who will go for us?", uses a plural pronoun ("us"). While debated, this can be understood as a majestic plural, indicating the fullness of God's being, or an early intimation of the Trinity, or God speaking from a heavenly council.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "Here am I; send me" is Hineni shlacheni (הִנְנִי שְׁלָחֵנִי). Hineni is a powerful expression meaning "Behold me" or "Here I am," conveying not just presence but immediate availability and readiness. It's the same emphatic response given by Abraham when called to sacrifice Isaac and Moses at the burning bush. The addition of shlacheni, "send me," makes his readiness explicit and actionable.

Practical Application

Isaiah 6:8 serves as an enduring model for believers today. It challenges us to cultivate a heart that is not only willing to hear God's voice but also ready to respond with immediate obedience and availability. Just as Isaiah was cleansed before he was commissioned, we are reminded of the importance of spiritual purification and a right standing with God before undertaking His work. This verse encourages us to be watchful for opportunities to serve, recognizing that God is continually seeking those who are willing to be His hands and feet in the world. Our response, like Isaiah's, should be one of humble yet bold commitment to His call, whatever it may be.

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.

  • 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.

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