Isaiah 6 4

Isaiah 6:4 kjv

And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

Isaiah 6:4 nkjv

And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.

Isaiah 6:4 niv

At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

Isaiah 6:4 esv

And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.

Isaiah 6:4 nlt

Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.

Isaiah 6 verses

Isaiah 6 4 Meaning

Isaiah 6:4 vividly depicts the physical manifestation of God's overwhelming presence and holiness within His temple. The verse illustrates that even the stable structures of the temple, its doorposts, violently shook, and the sanctuary became filled with smoke in response to the thunderous proclamation of the Seraphim praising God's holiness. This event underscores the immense power, majesty, and unapproachable nature of the Most High, rendering His divine glory tangible and awe-inspiring to Isaiah.

Isaiah 6 4 Context

Isaiah chapter 6 narrates the prophet's profound vision of the Lord seated upon His throne in the temple, marking his call to prophetic ministry in the year of King Uzziah's death (circa 740 BCE). This period was characterized by political instability in Judah following the reign of a powerful king, alongside moral decay and spiritual compromise within the nation. Amidst this backdrop, Isaiah receives a direct, overwhelming revelation of God's majestic holiness and supreme authority, transcending any earthly power. Verse 4 occurs directly after the Seraphim's declaration of "Holy, holy, holy is the Lᴏʀᴅ of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory," emphasizing that the physical shaking of the doorposts and the filling of the temple with smoke are direct, physical responses to the very voice and presence of the Living God, initiating Isaiah's commission and understanding of divine truth.

Isaiah 6 4 Word analysis

• And the posts: The Hebrew term `ammoth` (אמות) refers to the stable foundations or pillars, specifically doorposts. Their movement signifies the absolute stability and foundation of God's dwelling being shaken. This illustrates that no structure, however sacred or secure, can remain unaffected by God's manifest power.
• of the door moved: The Hebrew `nu'a` (נוע) implies a violent shaking, swaying, or trembling. This is not a slight tremor but a profound physical disturbance, reflecting the intensity and magnitude of the divine presence and voice. It underscores the fragility of even sacred human constructs before divine power.
• at the voice: The Hebrew `qol` (קול) means "voice" or "sound." Here, it refers to the loud, resounding proclamation of the Seraphim, who continually cry out God's holiness (Isa 6:3). This emphasizes the immediate, physical effect of the declaration of God's holy character. God's truth has tangible effects.
• of him that cried: Refers to the Seraphim. Their declaration of "Holy, Holy, Holy" (Isa 6:3) is not merely vocal but infused with divine power, resonating through the entire sacred space and causing it to react. This cry is a direct reflection and conduit of God's majesty.
• and the house: The Hebrew `bayith` (בית) specifically refers to the Temple where Isaiah's vision takes place. This "house" is the central place of worship and the perceived dwelling of God on Earth for Israel. Its being affected shows that God's presence impacts even His own appointed sanctuary.
• was filled with smoke: The Hebrew `male' ashan` (מלא עשן) describes a pervasive filling. Smoke is a recurrent biblical symbol of God's presence, particularly in theophanies (e.g., Exod 19:18, 1 Kgs 8:10-11). It conveys divine glory, holiness, mystery, unapproachability, and sometimes judgment. The smoke fills the "house," signifying the absolute permeation of the sanctuary with God's essence, making Him mysteriously present yet unapproachable.

• "the posts of the door moved at the voice": This phrase highlights a direct cause-and-effect relationship between the powerful declaration of God's holiness (the voice) and a profound physical reaction within the temple. It portrays God's majesty as so potent that His very presence, as declared by the Seraphim, literally causes the most stable elements of His sanctuary to shake, demonstrating an irresistible and foundational impact.
• "the house was filled with smoke": This image emphasizes the overwhelming and encompassing nature of God's glory and holiness. The smoke obscures, yet signifies, God's immediate and pervasive presence within the entire sacred space. It evokes a sense of both awe and reverence, illustrating God's being both revealed and veiled, making the space consecrated by His indwelling presence.

Isaiah 6 4 Bonus section

The shaking of the temple doorposts echoes the cosmic shaking often associated with theophanies (God's appearances) throughout Scripture, serving as a reminder that God's holiness extends beyond the temple walls to shake all of creation (e.g., mountains tremble at His presence). This event is not merely a symbolic visual but a physical reality that signals the disruptive, transforming power of encountering the divine. The combined sensory experience of sound (the Seraphim's cry) and sight (shaking and smoke) utterly immerses Isaiah in the reality of God's majestic presence, preparing him for the weighty commission that follows. This scene establishes that the God of Israel is not static or distant, but powerfully active and overwhelmingly present, especially in His holy dwelling.

Isaiah 6 4 Commentary

Isaiah 6:4 serves as a dramatic physical manifestation of divine power and sanctity, making the invisible God tangible within His temple. The violent shaking of the doorposts signifies that nothing, not even the strongest and holiest structures, can withstand the unveiled presence and proclamation of God's glory. It is a moment of profound revelation, impressing upon Isaiah the immeasurable holiness of God, who transcends all earthly foundations. The pervasive smoke further accentuates this encounter, reflecting the awe-inspiring, unapproachable nature of the Most High, who is simultaneously glorious and mysterious. This dual imagery profoundly affects the human observer, inducing a sense of complete reverence and humility before a God whose majesty knows no bounds.