Isaiah 6 3

Isaiah 6:3 kjv

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

Isaiah 6:3 nkjv

And one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!"

Isaiah 6:3 niv

And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."

Isaiah 6:3 esv

And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!"

Isaiah 6:3 nlt

They were calling out to each other, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Heaven's Armies!
The whole earth is filled with his glory!"

Isaiah 6 verses

Isaiah 6 3 Meaning

The verse depicts the awe-inspiring worship in heaven, where the seraphim ceaselessly declare the absolute and unparalleled holiness of the LORD of hosts. This declaration is immediately followed by the pronouncement that the vast, universal manifestation of God's inherent, glorious character fills the entire earth, implying His sovereign presence and transcendent majesty are not confined but are ever-present and visible in creation.

Isaiah 6 3 Context

Isaiah 6:3 is part of Isaiah’s foundational calling and vision. The preceding verses (Is 6:1-2) set the scene in the temple, shortly after the death of King Uzziah. This event marked a time of political uncertainty and spiritual decline for Judah. Isaiah sees the LORD seated on a high and exalted throne, His train filling the temple. Above Him stand the seraphim, six-winged heavenly beings. This verse presents their primary declaration in this celestial worship scene. The vision provides Isaiah with a profound understanding of God’s majestic transcendence and His absolute moral purity, which profoundly impacts him (Is 6:5) and forms the basis for his prophetic commission to a wayward people. This heavenly scene underscores God's supreme authority, even in a time of earthly instability.

Isaiah 6 3 Word analysis

• And one called out to another (וְקָרָא זֶה אֶל־זֶה – Wəqārā' zeh 'el-zeh):
  • This phrase indicates an antiphonal, reciprocal, and ceaseless exchange. It suggests a shared, unified, and spontaneous act of worship and proclamation among the seraphim, emphasizing unanimity and intensity.
• and said: (וְאָמַר – wə'āmar):
  • A straightforward verb indicating speech, connecting the calling out with the content of their utterance.
• Holy, holy, holy (קָדוֹשׁ קָדוֹשׁ קָדוֹשׁ – Qādôš Qādôš Qādôš):
  • Qādôš: The Hebrew word meaning "set apart," "sacred," "pure," "distinct," or "transcendent."
  • Triple repetition: In Hebrew, repeating an adjective three times (e.g., qādôš, qādôš, qādôš) is the highest form of superlative. It expresses the absolute, ultimate, and inherent essence of something. Here, it denotes God’s supreme, perfect, and unique holiness – His total otherness and moral purity that is beyond comparison. This declaration emphasizes His absolute distinction from creation and His perfect moral integrity, which serves as the very foundation of His being. It's often seen as a Trinitarian allusion in Christian theology, pointing to the Godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit sharing this one perfect holiness.
• is the LORD of hosts; (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת – YHWH Səbā'ôt):
  • YHWH (LORD): The divine covenant name of God, revealing His self-existent, eternal nature and His faithful relationship with His people. This Name sets Him apart from all other deities.
  • Səbā'ôt (of hosts): Refers to heavenly armies, celestial beings (angels), and all created powers. It emphasizes God's supreme universal sovereignty as the Commander of all spiritual and physical forces in the cosmos. He is the ultimate ruler, Lord over every realm, whether earthly or heavenly, spiritual or material. It highlights His omnipotence and omnicompetence.
• the whole earth (כָל־הָאָרֶץ – ḵol-hā'āreṣ):
  • This specifies the universal scope. It means not just a part, but every corner, every region, and every element of the earthly realm. It implies God's pervasive presence and authority throughout creation, contrary to limited, territorial gods.
• is full of His glory! (מְלֹא כָל־הָאָרֶץ כְּבוֹדוֹ – məlō' ḵol-hā'āreṣ kəḇôdô):
  • məlō' (full): Conveys complete saturation, overflowing, and pervasive presence.
  • kəḇôdô (His glory): The Hebrew word kavod (כָּבוֹד) means "weight," "heaviness," "significance," "splendor," "majesty," or "honor." It refers to the visible manifestation of God's character, attributes, and power. It is the radiant display of His presence. This declaration means God's inherent, majestic splendor is already, constantly, and completely manifest throughout all creation, even if humanity often fails to perceive it. It reveals that God is not only transcendent but also immanent in His creation, providing ample testimony to His nature.

Isaiah 6 3 Bonus section

• A Call to Worship: This seraphic declaration provides the pattern for all true worship: it must begin with an acknowledgement of God’s absolute holiness, sovereignty, and manifest glory. It shifts focus from human concerns to the incomparable nature of the Creator.
• Prophetic Foretelling: While stating a present reality, "the whole earth is full of His glory" also acts as a prophetic foretelling, looking forward to the day when this truth will be universally known and recognized, aligning with passages like Habakkuk 2:14. It hints at the future kingdom where His glory will be fully revealed and honored by all.
• The Problem of Sin: Isaiah's immediate response to this revelation of God’s holiness (Is 6:5, "Woe is me! For I am lost...") underscores the radical contrast between God’s perfection and human impurity. God’s holiness exposes humanity's sinfulness, making repentance and atonement necessary.
• Source of True Power: The title "LORD of hosts" (Sabaoth) affirms God as the source of all legitimate power and authority. This contrasts sharply with human attempts to exert power independently or through reliance on earthly armies, as often seen in Israel's history.

Isaiah 6 3 Commentary

Isaiah 6:3 is a central declaration of God’s nature, pronounced by the highest heavenly beings. The triple "Holy" unveils God's intrinsic and unchangeable character as supremely pure, set apart, and morally perfect. This is not merely an attribute but the very essence of who He is. As the "LORD of hosts," He holds absolute sovereign authority over all creation and all forces, visible and invisible. The concluding phrase, "the whole earth is full of His glory," connects God's intrinsic holiness with its outward, universal manifestation. His glory, the weighty display of His being and majesty, is not confined to heaven or the temple, but permeates every part of the cosmos. This verse therefore reveals both God's majestic transcendence and His glorious immanence, challenging any limited human conception of His presence or power. It compels recognition of His awe-inspiring greatness and universal rule.

• Example: Just as sunlight fills the world and reveals its beauty, God's unseen glory saturates the earth, revealing His presence and handiwork for those who perceive it (Rom 1:20).
• Example: A mountain's sheer scale conveys majesty; similarly, the universe’s vastness points to the weighty splendor of its Creator’s glory.