In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
Isaiah 6:1-13. Isaiah is outside, near the altar in front of the temple. The doors are supposed to open, and the veil hiding the Holy of holies to be withdrawn, unfolding to his view a vision of God, represented as an Eastern monarch, attended by seraphim as His ministers of state (1 Kings 22:19), and with a robe and flowing train (a badge of dignity in the East) which filled the temple. This assertion that he had seen God was, according to tradition, the pretext for sawing him asunder in Manasseh's reign (Hebrews 11:37). Compare Introduction. Visions often occur in the other prophets: in Isaiah there is only this one, and it marked by characteristic clearness and simplicity.
In the year that king Uzziah died - either literal death, or civil, when he ceased, as a leper, to exercise his functions as king (Chaldaic). (2 Chronicles 26:19-21.) 754 BC (Calmet). 758 (Common Chronology). This is not the first beginning of Isaiah's prophecies, but his inauguration to a higher degree of the prophetic office; for Isaiah 6:9, etc., implies the tone of one who had already experience of the people's obstinacy.
I saw also the Lord - here 'Adonaay (H136); Yahweh (H3068) in Isaiah 6:5. Jesus Christ is meant as speaking in Isaiah 6:10, according to John 12:41. Isaiah could only have 'seen' the Son, not the divine essence (John 1:18). The words of Isaiah 6:10 are attributed by Paul (Acts 28:25-26) to the Holy Spirit. Thus the Trinity, in unity is implied; as also by the thrice "Holy" (Isaiah 6:3). Isaiah mentions the robes temple, and seraphim, but not the form of God Himself. Whatever it was, it was different from the usual Shekinah: that was on the mercy-seat, this on a throne; that a cloud and fire, of this no form is specified; over that were the cherubim, over this the seraphim; that had no clothing, this had a flowing robe and train.