Isaiah Chapter 6 · Verse 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.
Original Language Analysis
נָגַ֥ע
And he laid
H5060
נָגַ֥ע
And he laid
Strong's:
H5060
Word #:
1 of 13
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פִּ֔י
it upon my mouth
H6310
פִּ֔י
it upon my mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
3 of 13
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
נָגַ֥ע
And he laid
H5060
נָגַ֥ע
And he laid
Strong's:
H5060
Word #:
6 of 13
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
שְׂפָתֶ֑יךָ
thy lips
H8193
שְׂפָתֶ֑יךָ
thy lips
Strong's:
H8193
Word #:
9 of 13
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
Cross References
Jeremiah 1:9Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.Isaiah 43:25I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.1 John 1:7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.Daniel 10:16And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.Isaiah 53:10Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.Isaiah 53:5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.Matthew 9:2And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
Historical Context
Temple sacrificial system provided typological framework for understanding spiritual cleansing. Isaiah's vision experienced what sacrifices symbolized—true removal of sin.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the sequence of conviction, cleansing, and calling inform our understanding of conversion?
- What does immediate purging of confessed sin teach about God's readiness to forgive?
Analysis & Commentary
The pronouncement 'thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged' declares forensic cleansing. The Hebrew 'sur' (taken away) and 'kaphar' (purged/atoned) indicate both removal of guilt and covering through sacrifice. This justification enables sanctification—Isaiah can now serve. The pattern of conviction (v. 5), cleansing (v. 6-7), and commissioning (v. 8) models the ordo salutis in Reformed theology: regeneration, justification, sanctification, glorification.