Isaiah 6:2

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

שְׂרָפִ֨ים the seraphims H8314
שְׂרָפִ֨ים the seraphims
Strong's: H8314
Word #: 1 of 17
burning, i.e., (figuratively) poisonous (serpent); specifically, a saraph or symbolical creature (from their copper color)
עֹמְדִ֤ים׀ it stood H5975
עֹמְדִ֤ים׀ it stood
Strong's: H5975
Word #: 2 of 17
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
מִמַּ֙עַל֙ Above H4605
מִמַּ֙עַל֙ Above
Strong's: H4605
Word #: 3 of 17
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
ל֔וֹ H0
ל֔וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 4 of 17
שֵׁ֥שׁ had six H8337
שֵׁ֥שׁ had six
Strong's: H8337
Word #: 5 of 17
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
כְּנָפַ֖יִם wings H3671
כְּנָפַ֖יִם wings
Strong's: H3671
Word #: 6 of 17
an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna
שֵׁ֥שׁ had six H8337
שֵׁ֥שׁ had six
Strong's: H8337
Word #: 7 of 17
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
כְּנָפַ֖יִם wings H3671
כְּנָפַ֖יִם wings
Strong's: H3671
Word #: 8 of 17
an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna
לְאֶחָ֑ד each one H259
לְאֶחָ֑ד each one
Strong's: H259
Word #: 9 of 17
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
וּבִשְׁתַּ֥יִם and with twain H8147
וּבִשְׁתַּ֥יִם and with twain
Strong's: H8147
Word #: 10 of 17
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
יְכַסֶּ֥ה he covered H3680
יְכַסֶּ֥ה he covered
Strong's: H3680
Word #: 11 of 17
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
פָנָ֗יו his face H6440
פָנָ֗יו his face
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 12 of 17
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וּבִשְׁתַּ֥יִם and with twain H8147
וּבִשְׁתַּ֥יִם and with twain
Strong's: H8147
Word #: 13 of 17
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
יְכַסֶּ֥ה he covered H3680
יְכַסֶּ֥ה he covered
Strong's: H3680
Word #: 14 of 17
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
רַגְלָ֖יו his feet H7272
רַגְלָ֖יו his feet
Strong's: H7272
Word #: 15 of 17
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
וּבִשְׁתַּ֥יִם and with twain H8147
וּבִשְׁתַּ֥יִם and with twain
Strong's: H8147
Word #: 16 of 17
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
יְעוֹפֵֽף׃ he did fly H5774
יְעוֹפֵֽף׃ he did fly
Strong's: H5774
Word #: 17 of 17
to fly; also (by implication of dimness) to faint (from the darkness of swooning)

Analysis & Commentary

The seraphim ('burning ones') serve around God's throne, each with six wings: two covering their face (reverence before divine glory), two covering their feet (humility/modesty), and two for flying (readiness to serve). Even these holy beings cannot gaze directly upon God's glory, demonstrating His transcendent holiness. Their position 'above' the throne suggests service rather than equality—even highest creatures worship the Creator.

Historical Context

Seraphim appear only here in Scripture, though similar beings appear in Ezekiel 1 and Revelation 4. Ancient Near Eastern winged beings often flanked thrones, but these serve Yahweh alone, distinguishing Him from pagan deities.

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