And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

ISAIAH 6:3KJV
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Isaiah 6:3 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 6:3 mean?

Isaiah 6:3 describes heavenly beings calling out to each other, declaring that the LORD is perfectly holy and that His glory fills the entire earth. The verse emphasizes the unique holiness of the LORD and the all-encompassing presence of His glory.

In this scene, Isaiah witnesses seraphim (a type of angelic being) in a vision of God's throne room. The seraphim are speaking to one another, not directly to Isaiah, and their repeated cry of "Holy, holy, holy" highlights the LORD’s absolute set-apartness and majesty. The statement that the whole earth is full of His glory points to God's greatness being visible everywhere, not just in heaven.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 6:3

  • "Holy" (קָדוֹשׁ, qadosh): This word means "set apart" or "sacred." The threefold repetition ("holy, holy, holy") is a Hebrew way of expressing the highest degree, stressing that the LORD is completely and uniquely holy.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, often rendered as "the LORD" in English translations, emphasizing His covenant relationship with His people.
  • "Hosts" (צָבָא, tsava): This word means "armies" or "heavenly armies," showing God as the commander of all spiritual and earthly forces.
  • "Glory" (כָּבוֹד, kavod): This word means "weight" or "honor," and in this context, it refers to the visible splendor and presence of God that fills the earth.

Why Isaiah 6:3 matters

  • The repeated "holy" clears up that God's holiness is not just one attribute among many, but is central and beyond comparison, setting Him apart from all else.
  • The verse connects Isaiah’s vision to the larger theme of God’s glory being present not just in heaven, but throughout the earth, which may be easy to overlook.
  • Understanding that the seraphim speak to each other, not directly to God or Isaiah, highlights the shared recognition among heavenly beings of God’s unmatched holiness and glory.

Where else these words appear

“full” Hebrew H4393 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 48:19 And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.
  • 1 Samuel 28:20 Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.
  • Isaiah 31:4 For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.

“Holy” Hebrew H6918 · used in 106 verses

  • Exodus 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
  • 2 Kings 19:22 Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.
  • Isaiah 29:19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.