Isaiah 6

Verse 1. Died. Either a natural ( Calmet.) or a civil death, by means of the leprosy. Chal. Tostat. 7.—This and the former chapters relate to the commencement of Joathan’s reign, whether before or after the death of Ozias. Calmet.—Many think that this was the first prediction of Isaias. Orig. Saint Jerome ad Dam.—I saw. By a prophetic vision, as if I had been present at the dedication of the temple. 3 Kennicott. 8:10. Calmet.—Lord. Not the Father, as some have asserted, but the Son. John 12:40. Saint Jerome ad Dam. Calmet.—Neither Moses nor any other saw the substance of God; but only a shadow. Yet Manasses hence took a pretext to have Isaias slain. Orig. Saint Jerome Trad. Paral. Worthington.

Verse 2. The two Seraphims “burning.” They are supposed to constitute the highest order of angels. Numbers 21:6.—His. God’s or their own face. Hebrew and Septuagint are ambiguous. Out of respect, ( Calmet.) they look not at the divine majesty. Menochius.

Verse 3. Glory. By no means of the Incarnation. The unity and Trinity are insinuated. Saint Jerome Saint Gregory Mor. xxix. 16.

Verse 4. Of him. Septuagint “them,” ( Bible.) the Seraphim signifying that the veil was removed by the death of Christ, (Theod.) or that the people should be led into captivity, as a Jew explained it to S. Jerom.

Verse 5. Peace. It is proper for sinners to do so. Sirach 15:9. The prophet was grieved that he was unworthy to join in the acclamation of the Seraphim, and had reason to fear death. Genesis 16:13. Exodus 33:20. He finds himself less able to speak than before, like Moses. Exodus 4:10 and 6:12.

Verse 6. Coal. “Carbuncle,” (Sept.) the word of God, (S. Basil) spirit of prophecy, (Saint Jerome 142. ad Dam.) and so forth

Verse 7. Sin. Impediment in speech. All defects were attributed to some sin, (John 9:2) as Job’s friends maintained.

Verse 8. For us. Hence arises a proof of the plurality of persons. Calmet.—Send me. Thus Isaias was an evangelical and apostolical prophet. Saint Jerome Worthington.

Verse 10. Blind. The prophets are said to do what they denounce. Saint Thomas Aquinas 1. q. xxiv. 3. Sanct.—Septuagint “heavy or gross is the heart,” and so forth The authors of the New Testament quote it thus less harshly.—Them. Is God unwilling to heal? Why then does he send his prophet? Calmet.—He intimates that all the graces offered would be rendered useless by the hardened Jews. Saint Isidore Pelus. 2. ep. 270.—Hebrew may be, “surely they will not see,” and so forth Calmet.

Verse 11. Desolate. By means of Nabuchodonosor, (Saint John Chrysostom) and the Romans, (Eus. and so forth) or even till the end of the world, their obstinacy will continue.

Verse 12. Earth. After the captivity, the people shall be more docile. But this was more fully verified by the preaching of the gospel.

Verse 13. Tithing. The land shall produce its fruits, and people shall bring their tithes. Ezekiel 20:40. There shall be some left; (chapter 1:9 and 4:3. Calmet.) though only a tenth part will embrace Christianity. S. Bas.—Made. Septuagint “ravaged.” They shall be exposed to many persecutions under Epiphanes, and few shall escape the arms of the Romans, ( Calmet.) those particularly ( Bible.) who shall be a holy seed. Calmet.—The apostles were of Jewish extraction, ( Bible.) and spread the gospel throughout the world. Menochius.