Isaiah 6:2
Read Isaiah 6:2 Using Other Translations
What does Isaiah 6:2 mean?
Above it stood the seraphims
Not above the temple, nor above the throne, much less above him
that sat upon it, but either "by him", on the right hand and on
the left, as Aben Ezra; or "near him", as Kimchi and Ben Melech;
or "before him", as the Targum; or "round about him", as the
Septuagint; all which denote the ministering form in which they
stood; by whom are meant, not the Son and Spirit, as some of the
ancients thought, who imagined the Father to be the Person
sitting on the throne; nor the two Testaments, as Jerom; nor
angels, which is the common interpretation; but ministers of the
Gospel, the same with the four beasts in ( Revelation
4:6 ) and the four living creatures in ( Ezekiel 1:5 ) the
Jewish commentators in general agree that these are the same with
Ezekiel's living creatures; so Jarchi, Aben Ezra, and Kimchi; and
the first of these cites the Midrash Agada, as saying this is the
Mercavah, which is the name they give to Ezekiel's vision of the
living creatures and wheels; and this appears by their name
"seraphim", which signifies "burning", and so Ezekiel's living
creatures are said to be "like burning coals of fire", ( Ezekiel 1:13
) and the ministers of the Gospel are so called, because of their
ministerial gifts, compared to fire, as the gifts of the spirit
of God are, especially those which the apostles had bestowed on
them, who were baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire, ( Matthew 3:11
) ( Acts 1:5 )
( 2:3 ) and even
the ordinary gifts of the spirit are signified by the same
figure, ( 1 Timothy
1:6 ) ( 1
Thessalonians 5:19 ) and because of their light, which they
have in the truths of the Gospel; and because of their fervent
and ardent love to Christ and immortal souls; and because of
their flaming zeal for his cause and interest: and this also
appears by their situation near the throne, see ( Ezekiel 1:26
) ( Revelation 4:6 ) and
Christ on it; where they stand as servants waiting upon him, and
in order to receive from him, and where they enjoy communion with
him; or "above" it may mean the temple, the church, where they
stand in the highest place in it, and are over others in the
Lord; they stand as servants to Christ, but preside in the church
as the rulers and governors of it; to which agrees the Targum,
``holy ministers on high before him:''and this further appears by their wings, each one had six wings;
as Ezekiel's living creatures, ( Ezekiel 1:4 Ezekiel 1:11 Ezekiel 1:23 ) and John's four beasts, ( Revelation 4:8 ) : with twain he covered his face;
that it might not be seen, as the Targum adds; expressive of their modesty and humility, looking, upon themselves as less than the least of all the saints, and the chief of sinners, and as ashamed of themselves before the Lord; or that they might not look upon the divine Majesty, as Jarchi; or rather as being unable to look upon the dazzling glory and infinite perfections of his being; so Elijah wrapped his face in a mantle, when he heard the still small voice of the Lord, ( 1 Kings 19:12 1 Kings 19:13 ) and as Moses before him did, ( Exodus 3:6 ) being afraid to look upon God, conscious of creature distance, and of sinfulness and unworthiness; and therefore not so suitable to angels, who always behold the face of God, ( Matthew 18:10 ) : with twain he covered his feet;
or body, that it might not be seen, as the Targum; as conscious of the imperfection of their conduct, walk, and conversation, as ministers and Christians, in the sight of God, however beautiful their feet may appear to others, ( Isaiah 52:7 ) : and with twain he did fly:
or minister, as the Targum; this denotes their readiness and swiftness in preaching the everlasting Gospel, running to and fro with it, having their feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace: see ( Revelation 14:6 ) ( Ephesians 6:15 ) .
