King James Version

What Does Isaiah 6:5 Mean?

Isaiah 6:5 in the King James Version says “Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unc... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. undone: Heb. cut off

Isaiah 6:5 · KJV


Context

3

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

4

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

5

Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. undone: Heb. cut off

6

Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: having: Heb. and in his hand a live coal

7

And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. laid: Heb. caused it to touch


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Isaiah's immediate response to God's holiness is 'Woe is me! for I am undone.' The Hebrew 'damah' (undone/destroyed) indicates not mere embarrassment but recognition of deserved judgment. He confesses being a man of 'unclean lips' dwelling among an unclean people—acknowledging both personal and corporate sin. Seeing God's holiness exposes human sinfulness. Only after conviction of sin can cleansing and commissioning follow (verse 6-8).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Isaiah had been prophesying Judah's sin, but encountering God's holiness revealed his own unworthiness. This pattern appears throughout Scripture—Job, Peter, John all respond similarly when confronting divine glory.

Reflection Questions

  1. When did you last experience genuine conviction of sin before God's holiness?
  2. How does Isaiah's response challenge superficial views of sin as minor mistakes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וָאֹמַ֞ר1 of 23

Then said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֽוֹי2 of 23

I Woe

H188

lamentation; also interjectionally oh!

לִ֣י3 of 23
H0
כִֽי4 of 23
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

נִדְמֵ֗יתִי5 of 23

is me! for I am undone

H1820

to be dumb or silent; hence, to fail or perish; trans. to destroy

כִּ֣י6 of 23
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אִ֤ישׁ7 of 23

because I am a man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

טְמֵ֣א8 of 23

of unclean

H2931

foul in a religious sense

שְׂפָתַ֔יִם9 of 23

lips

H8193

the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)

אָנֹ֔כִי10 of 23
H595

i

וּבְתוֹךְ֙11 of 23

in the midst

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

עַם12 of 23

of a people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

טְמֵ֣א13 of 23

of unclean

H2931

foul in a religious sense

שְׂפָתַ֔יִם14 of 23

lips

H8193

the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)

אָנֹכִ֖י15 of 23
H595

i

יוֹשֵׁ֑ב16 of 23

and I dwell

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

כִּ֗י17 of 23
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֶת18 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ19 of 23

the King

H4428

a king

יְהוָ֥ה20 of 23

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָא֖וֹת21 of 23

of hosts

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

רָא֥וּ22 of 23

have seen

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

עֵינָֽי׃23 of 23

for mine eyes

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 6:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 6:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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