In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights a pivotal moment where the death of a powerful human king, Uzziah, clears the way for Isaiah to see the supreme, eternal King, the Lord, enthroned in glory. This isn't just a calendar notation; it's a profound shift, emphasizing that human power and earthly structures fade, while God's reign is absolute and fills all of reality.
In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This chapter marks a pivotal moment for Isaiah, occurring during a time of national upheaval following the death of King Uzziah, a long and prosperous ruler whose reign ended in disgrace due to leprosy. Isaiah recounts a powerful vision of God's majesty in the temple, a vision that profoundly impacts him and sets the stage for his prophetic commission. This vision and subsequent call re-consecrates him to his lifelong ministry, addressing the deep-seated spiritual blindness and unfaithfulness of the people.
The death of a powerful king can feel like the end of an era. But what if that moment marks the beginning of something far greater?
Isaiah sets the scene with the death of King Uzziah, a ruler who had brought great prosperity and national pride to Judah. However, his reign ended in disgrace due to his leprosy and his presumption in trying to offer incense in the temple. This earthly power, so significant to Isaiah and his people, was fading.
A Shift in Focus
Imagine a temple filled not just with stone and gold, but with a divine presence so vast it overflows. What does this image reveal about God?
The vision of God on His throne is overwhelming. It's not just a king on a chair; it’s the King of the universe in His majestic glory.
Ask a follow-up
God's Immense Presence
Understand the original words
melek · Hebrew Noun
A sovereign ruler or monarch, often used in scripture to denote both earthly human kings and, ultimately, the supreme authority of God. It signifies one who exercises dominion, judgment, and protection over a people.
Adonai · Hebrew Noun
The Hebrew word 'Adonai,' signifying the Master, Lord, or Sovereign. It is a title of absolute authority and ownership, expressing the relationship of a servant to his supreme Master.
kisse' · Hebrew Noun
A physical or metaphorical place of authority and judgment. In Scripture, it represents the dwelling place of God’s sovereignty and the seat from which He governs the cosmos.
heykal · Hebrew Noun
The dwelling place of God’s presence on earth, originally the Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem. It is the sacred space where God meets His people and where His holiness dwells among them.
The death of King Uzziah marked the end of a long and prosperous era for Judah, but also heralded a time of spiritual decline and increasing external threats. Isaiah's vision in the Temple, occurring in this pivotal year, contrasted the fleeting glory of human kingship with the eternal majesty of God, profoundly shaping his understanding of his calling and the future of his people.
c. 740 BC— this verse
King Uzziah's Reign Ends
King Uzziah, who had reigned for 52 years and brought prosperity and strength to Judah, died after contracting leprosy and being secluded from public life. His son Jotham succeeded him.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah's Prophetic Call
In the year of Uzziah's death, Isaiah experienced a profound vision of God's glory in the Temple, marking his formal consecration to the prophetic office and the beginning of his ministry.
Mid-8th Century BC
Growing Assyrian Power
The Neo-Assyrian Empire was expanding its influence, posing a significant threat to the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. This geopolitical reality would shape much of Isaiah's prophetic message.
c. 734-732 BC
Syro-Ephraimite War
King Pekah of Israel and King Rezin of Aram (Syria) attempted to force Judah into an anti-Assyrian coalition, besieging Jerusalem. Isaiah advised King Ahaz to trust in God rather than Assyria.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Northern Kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Neo-Assyrian Empire, with its capital Samaria falling. This event served as a stark warning to Judah.
701 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
Under King Sennacherib, the Assyrian army invaded Judah, conquering many cities and besieging Jerusalem. Isaiah prophesied Jerusalem's deliverance.
Ezekiel also describes a vision of the 'likeness' of the glory of the Lord, featuring a throne and a majestic figure, highlighting the transcendent nature of God's presence.
John 12:41This New Testament passage explicitly states that Isaiah saw the glory of Christ, reinforcing the understanding that this vision pointed to the pre-incarnate Son of God.
Psalm 11:4This psalm speaks of the Lord's throne being in heaven, emphasizing His sovereignty and ultimate authority, a concept echoed in Isaiah's vision of God 'high and lifted up'.
Daniel 7:9-10Daniel's vision of the Ancient of Days on a fiery throne surrounded by countless attendants offers a parallel to Isaiah's experience of divine majesty and heavenly court.
Exodus 33:18-23When Moses asks to see God's glory, God reveals Himself in a way that emphasizes His presence and majesty, though not His full essence, providing a parallel to Isaiah's limited but awe-inspiring vision.
barnesIsaiah 6:1: "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."
In the year - This naturally denotes a period after the death of Uzziah, though in the same year. The mention of the time was evidently made when the prophecy was composed, and it is to be presumed that the death of Uzziah had occurred at the time when the prophet saw this vision. If so, it is clear that this was not the first of his prophecies, for he…
pooleIsaiah 6:1: "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."
The glory of the Lord, Isaiah 6:1-4 . Isaiah is terrified, Isaiah 6:5 ; is confirmed for his message, Isaiah 6:6-8 . The people’s obstinacy unto desolation, Isaiah 6:9-12 . A remnant shall be saved, Isaiah 6:13 . I saw in a vision or ecstasy. The Lord; either, 1. God the Son, who frequently appeared to the patriarchs and prophets, and that sometimes in…
The verse highlights a pivotal moment where the death of a powerful human king, Uzziah, clears the way for Isaiah to see the supreme, eternal King, the Lord, enthroned in glory. This isn't just a calendar notation; it's a profound shift, emphasizing that human power and earthly structures fade, while God's reign is absolute and fills all of reality.
This chapter marks a pivotal moment for Isaiah, occurring during a time of national upheaval following the death of King Uzziah, a long and prosperous ruler whose reign ended in disgrace due to leprosy. Isaiah recounts a powerful vision of God's majesty in the temple, a vision that profoundly impacts him and sets the stage for his prophetic commission. This vision and subsequent call re-consecrates him to his lifelong ministry, addressing the deep-seated spiritual blindness and unfaithfulness of the people.
This chapter marks a pivotal moment for Isaiah, occurring during a time of national upheaval following the death of King Uzziah, a long and prosperous ruler whose reign ended in disgrace due to leprosy. Isaiah recounts a powerful vision of God's majesty in the temple, a vision that profoundly impacts him and sets the stage for his prophetic commission. This vision and subsequent call re-consecrates him to his lifelong ministry, addressing the deep-seated spiritual blindness and unfaithfulness of the people.
"In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple." — The verse highlights a pivotal moment where the death of a powerful human king, Uzziah, clears the way for Isaiah to see the supreme, eternal King, the Lord, enthroned in glory. This isn't just a cal…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026