Isaiah 6:2 kjv
Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
Isaiah 6:2 nkjv
Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
Isaiah 6:2 niv
Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.
Isaiah 6:2 esv
Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
Isaiah 6:2 nlt
Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew.
Isaiah 6 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference ||------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|| Exod 3:5 | "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place where... | Moses' reverence on holy ground || Exod 33:20 | "You cannot see My face; for no man can see Me and live." | Man's inability to see God's full glory || Lev 10:3 | "I will be sanctified among those who are near Me, and before all... | God's expectation of holiness from His servants || Deut 32:11 | "As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreading out... | Wings symbolizing protection/care || Pss 17:8 | "Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings." | Wings as shelter/security || Pss 91:4 | "He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you... | Wings for divine protection and refuge || Pss 103:20 | "Bless the LORD, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word."| Angels as powerful, obedient servants || Pss 148:2 | "Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts." | Heavenly beings worshiping God || 1 Kgs 22:19| "I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven..." | Heavenly court assembled around God's throne || Job 1:6 | "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves..." | Angelic beings presenting before God || Ezek 1:6 | "Each had four faces and each of them had four wings." | Description of Cherubim with multiple wings || Ezek 10:5 | "The sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard even in the outer..." | The sound and motion of heavenly wings || Dan 7:9-10 | "His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head... thousand... | Divine judgment throne with myriad attendants || Mal 4:2 | "But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise... | Metaphorical wings of healing/righteousness || Matt 17:6 | "And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were..." | Disciples' fearful reverence at Transfiguration|| Heb 1:7 | "And of the angels He says: “Who makes His angels spirits and His... | Angels described as ministers of fire and wind || Heb 4:16 | "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may..." | Approaching God's throne (NT perspective) || Rev 1:17 | "And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His..." | John's fearful response to Christ's glory || Rev 4:8 | "The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes... | Living creatures (likely Seraphim/Cherubim) with six wings in worship || Rev 5:11 | "Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne... | Countless angels surrounding the throne |
Isaiah 6 verses
Isaiah 6 2 Meaning
Isaiah 6:2 describes the celestial beings known as seraphim positioned above the Lord's throne. It specifies their distinctive appearance and actions: each seraph possesses six wings, used in three distinct pairs. Two wings are used to cover their faces, two to cover their feet, and the remaining two for flight. This imagery conveys their profound reverence, humility, and readiness for service in the divine presence.
Isaiah 6 2 Context
Isaiah chapter 6 provides a foundational account of the prophet Isaiah's commissioning by God. This specific verse (6:2) occurs within the dramatic vision Isaiah receives "in the year that King Uzziah died" (6:1). This period marked significant political and spiritual upheaval in Judah. Uzziah, a king who brought prosperity but later presumption (2 Chr 26), had just passed. His death symbolized an end of an era, setting the stage for Isaiah to perceive the true King, the Lord, enthroned in glory. The detailed description of the seraphim immediately follows the majestic portrayal of God's exalted throne and His glory filling the temple, establishing the holiness and awesome nature of the divine presence which Isaiah encounters. The seraphim's appearance underscores the profound sanctity of God and their role in ministering before Him.
Isaiah 6 2 Word analysis
- Above him (מֵעַל לוֹ, mēʿal lô): "Above Him" specifically refers to the Lord, indicating the seraphim's proximity to God's elevated throne. This spatial positioning emphasizes their status as direct attendants in the divine court.
- stood (עֹמְדִים, ‘ōm’ḏîm): This verb suggests an active, reverent posture of waiting and readiness for service. They are not merely present but are positioned attentively for divine command.
- seraphim (שָׂרָף, śārāf): The plural "seraphim" derives from śārāf, meaning "burning one" or "fiery one." While the term can refer to fiery serpents elsewhere, in this context it denotes high-ranking celestial beings associated with purity, intense glory, and God's holiness, perhaps radiating divine fire. They are distinct angelic beings whose primary role appears tied to God's holiness and purification.
- Each had (שֵׁשׁ כְּנָפַיִם אֵין לְאֶחָד שֵׁשׁ כְּנָפַיִם, shêsh k’nāp̄ayim êyn l’ʾeḥāḏ): Emphasizes the identical nature of all the seraphim, suggesting uniformity in their exalted status and function. The construction highlights the shared characteristic.
- six wings (שֵׁשׁ כְּנָפַיִם, shesh k’nap̄ayim): The number six often symbolizes completeness or human inadequacy. Here, it signifies the comprehensive nature of their divine service and reverence. The distribution of wings into three pairs suggests distinct and fundamental aspects of their being and role.
- with two he covered his face (בִּשְׁתַּיִם יְכַסֶּה פָנָיו, bish’tayim yekasseh pānāw): This act signifies profound humility, reverence, and unworthiness to fully behold the divine glory directly. Even exalted heavenly beings cannot gaze upon God's unveiled holiness without shielding themselves, acknowledging His transcendent majesty and their finite nature.
- and with two he covered his feet (וּבִשְׁתַּיִם יְכַסֶּה רַגְלָיו, uvish’tayim yekasseh raḡlāw): Covering the feet, a part associated with earthly contact and often considered humble or impure, conveys deep reverence, modesty, and acknowledging God's sacred presence. In the presence of God's perfect holiness, even their physical manifestation requires veiling.
- and with two he flew (וּבִשְׁתַּיִם יְעוֹפֵף, uvish’tayim ye‘ōp̄ēp̄): The wings designated for flight signify readiness, swiftness, and capability to carry out God's commands without hesitation. They are agile, mobile, and prepared to fulfill their duties as ministers in the heavenly court.
Isaiah 6 2 Bonus section
The uniqueness of the seraphim in this passage is noteworthy; they are only specifically described here and their exact nature and origin are subject to ongoing study within Christian theology. Unlike Cherubim (Ezekiel 1, 10) who are associated with God's throne, glory, and guardian duties, seraphim appear specifically connected to the purification and hallowing of the heavenly realm itself, reflecting the 'burning' aspect of God's holiness. Their description parallels some elements of the 'living creatures' in Revelation 4, suggesting a common category of celestial beings, but with distinctive functions tailored to their immediate context. The imagery of the six wings provides a symmetrical, balanced, and complete portrayal of their service: full attention given to adoration, self-abnegation, and dynamic obedience. This triple function of their wings can be seen as embodying perfect worship – honoring God with one's being, humbling oneself, and acting according to His will.
Isaiah 6 2 Commentary
Isaiah 6:2 offers a crucial glimpse into the nature of the seraphim, revealing beings whose entire existence is oriented around God's holiness. Their three pairs of wings encapsulate their threefold posture: deep reverence (face covered), utter humility and purity (feet covered), and eager readiness for service (for flight). This imagery powerfully conveys that even the most exalted heavenly creatures do not approach God's glory without a profound sense of awe and unworthiness. They instinctively shield themselves from His overpowering radiance, setting a precedent for human worship that is characterized by humility and holy fear. Their presence above the throne signifies their primary role as custodians and exemplars of God's supreme holiness, ready to enact His will, as seen later when one of them cleanses Isaiah with a live coal (Isa 6:6-7). This vision emphasizes that true ministry stems from an encounter with absolute divine purity and an appropriate response of profound adoration and submission.