Isaiah – Chapter 6

Old Testament13 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 6 of Isaiah begins: "In the year that king Ozias died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne high and elevated: and his train filled the temple." Across its 13 verses, two threads run through the text: holiness and God's kingdom and kingship. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1In the year that king Ozias died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne high and elevated: and his train filled the temple.

2Upon it stood the seraphims: the one had six wings, and the other had six wings: with two they covered his face, and with two they covered his feet, and with two they flew.

3And they cried one to another, and said: Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God of hosts, all the earth is full of his glory,

4And the lintels of the doors were moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

5And I said: Woe is me, because I have held my peace; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people that hath unclean lips, and I have seen with my eyes the King the Lord of hosts.

6And one of the seraphims flew to me, and in his hand was a live coal, which he had taken with the tongs off the altar.

7And he touched my mouth, and said: Behold this hath touched thy lips, and thy iniquities shall be taken away, and thy sin shall be cleansed.

8And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: Whom shall I send? and who shall go for us? And I said: Lo, here am I, send me.

9And he said: Go, and thou shalt say to this people: Hearing, hear, and understand not: and see the vision, and know it not.

10Blind the heart of this people, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes: lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted and I heal them.

11And I said: How long, O Lord? And he said: Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land shall be left desolate.

12And the Lord shall remove men far away, and she shall be multiplied that was left in the midst of the earth.

13And there shall be still a tithing therein, and she shall turn, and shall be made a show as a turpentine tree, and as an oak that spreadeth its branches: that which shall stand therein, shall be a holy seed.

Important Verses in Isaiah 6

And they cried one to another, and said: Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God of hosts, all the earth is full of his glory,

Isaiah 6:3

And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: Whom shall I send? and who shall go for us? And I said: Lo, here am I, send me.

Isaiah 6:8

And there shall be still a tithing therein, and she shall turn, and shall be made a show as a turpentine tree, and as an oak that spreadeth its branches: that which shall stand therein, shall be a holy seed.

Isaiah 6:13

Historical Context

Isaiah belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for judah in crisis, the exiles in Babylon, and all who await the Messiah. Chapter 6 of 66 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 13 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter begins: "In the year that king Ozias died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne high and elevated: and his train filled the…" It concludes: "And there shall be still a tithing therein, and she shall turn, and shall be made a show as a turpentine tree, and as…" The wider setting of Isaiah is this: Isaiah prophesied in Jerusalem during the Assyrian crisis, calling kings to trust God rather than alliances. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Isaiah's ministry about 740-700 BC; the book's later chapters address the exile and return (6th century BC).

Who Wrote It

The prophet Isaiah of Jerusalem; chapters 40-66 continue his message through inspired disciples

When It Was Written

Isaiah's ministry about 740-700 BC; the book's later chapters address the exile and return (6th century BC)

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of Isaiah 6 unfolds through 13 verses that carry forward the message of judgment, comfort, and messianic hope. A pivotal line is verse 3: "And they cried one to another, and said: Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God of hosts, all the earth is full of his glory," The passage repeatedly touches on holiness before God.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of judgment, comfort, and messianic hope. Isaiah's prophecies are fulfilled in Christ, especially the Suffering Servant (CIC 601). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 133).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: 'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • 'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • Christ is the Divine Physician who heals both body and soul.

Reflection for Today

When the Church proclaims Isaiah Chapter 6 at Mass or in the Liturgy of the Hours, she treats this text as the living voice of God.

In the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—the Church finds rich meaning in Isaiah Chapter 6. At the moral level, evangelization and missionary discipleship challenges us to examine conscience and amend our lives (CIC 721).

As you continue through Isaiah, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Isaiah Chapter 6 about?

Isaiah 6 contains 13 verses. It opens with "In the year that king Ozias died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne high and elevated: and his train filled the…" and closes with "And there shall be still a tithing therein, and she shall turn, and shall be made a show as a turpentine tree, and as…". The book as a whole is prophetic oracles and poetry.

What is a key verse in Isaiah 6?

One of the most significant verses is verse 3: "And they cried one to another, and said: Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God of hosts, all the earth is full of his glory," It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Isaiah and when?

The prophet Isaiah of Jerusalem; chapters 40-66 continue his message through inspired disciples. Isaiah's ministry about 740-700 BC; the book's later chapters address the exile and return (6th century BC).

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