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: A live coal - The word of prophecy, which was put into the mouth of the prophet.
From off the altar - That is, from the altar of burnt-offerings, before the door of the temple, on which the fire that came down at first from heaven (Leviticus 9:24; 2 Chronicles 7:1) was perpetually burning. It was never to be extinguished, Leviticus 6:12, Leviticus 6:13.