Isaiah 6:5 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Confronted by God's holiness, Isaiah declares his utter ruin, recognizing his moral corruption and that of his people.
The Context of Isaiah 6:5
Isaiah's vision of God's holiness brings him to despair over his own corruption.
What Does Isaiah 6:5 Mean?
Isaiah's response to the vision is not courage but despair. He cries 'Woe is me!'—recognizing that standing before the absolutely holy God while morally compromised means destruction. His emphasis on 'unclean lips' is specific: a prophet speaks God's word, and Isaiah judges himself unfit. He does not separate himself from his people's corruption but identifies as part of a fallen community.
The phrase 'my eyes have seen the King' is the turning point—direct encounter with God's sovereignty and purity exposes human unworthiness. This is not self-flagellation but honest assessment before the divine mirror. Isaiah's distress is premature; he does not yet know that cleansing and commissioning await him.
Isaiah 6:5 in the Original Language
tumam (תֻּמַּם), 'undone'—literally 'I am silenced' or 'I am brought to an end,' suggesting both moral collapse and the silencing of speech.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 6:5
What does Isaiah 6:5 mean?
Confronted by God's holiness, Isaiah declares his utter ruin, recognizing his moral corruption and that of his people.
What is the context of Isaiah 6:5?
Isaiah's vision of God's holiness brings him to despair over his own corruption.