And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights God's initiative in seeking a messenger and the prophet's immediate, unqualified response. What's often missed is that God asks, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?", revealing a divine plurality at the very moment of commissioning Isaiah, underscoring the profound, Trinitarian nature of God's redemptive plan. Isaiah's simple "Here I am! Send me" is not just obedience, but an eager acceptance of a role within this divine council.
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following a profound vision of God's glory and his own uncleanness, Isaiah has just been cleansed by a seraph. Now, he hears the divine voice initiating a crucial mission, posing a question that reveals God's need for someone to carry an arduous message to His people, a message that will ultimately harden their hearts.
God isn't just looking for anyone to fulfill His purposes. He's looking for someone willing to step into the gap.
In Isaiah's vision, God poses a question: 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' This isn't a question of inability on God's part, but an invitation to participate in His redemptive plan.
In the face of overwhelming divine presence and a daunting task, one word from Isaiah changes everything.
Isaiah's response, 'Here am I! Send me,' is more than just agreement; it's a profound act of self-offering and readiness.
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Understand the original words
Adonay · Hebrew Noun
In the Old Testament, this title refers to God's authority as Master or Owner. It signifies total sovereignty and lordship over creation and the individual.
Isaiah's commission occurs at a time of political instability in Judah following King Uzziah's death and amidst the growing might of the Assyrian Empire, a context that deeply shaped the urgency and severity of his prophetic message.
c. 750 BC
Reign of Uzziah
Isaiah begins his prophetic ministry during the long and relatively stable reign of King Uzziah of Judah.
c. 740 BC— this verse
Death of King Uzziah
King Uzziah dies, marking a significant political transition and a time of uncertainty for Judah. This event directly precedes Isaiah's transformative vision in the temple.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah's Temple Vision
Isaiah experiences a powerful vision of God's glory in the temple, which purifies him and commissions him for prophetic service.
c. 740-730 BC
Assyrian Expansion
The Neo-Assyrian Empire, under rulers like Tiglath-Pileser III and Shalmaneser V, is aggressively expanding its influence and power, posing a significant threat to the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.
c. 734 BC
Syro-Ephraimite War
The northern kingdom of Israel and Syria attempt to force Judah into an anti-Assyrian alliance, leading to a siege of Jerusalem by the allied forces.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, Samaria, falls to the Assyrians, resulting in the deportation of many Israelites and the end of the northern kingdom.
This passage also uses the plural 'us' when God speaks about creation, echoing the divine council and plurality within God's being that Isaiah experiences here.
1 Samuel 3:10This shows another instance of God calling a prophet, where Samuel responds with 'Speak, for your servant is listening,' demonstrating a similar humble readiness to obey divine instruction.
Matthew 28:19The Great Commission echoes the sending aspect of Isaiah's call, instructing disciples to go and make disciples of all nations in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, pointing to the triune nature hinted at in Isaiah's vision.
Acts 9:15When Jesus calls Saul (later Paul), He declares Saul is a 'chosen instrument' to carry His name before Gentiles, paralleling God's search for someone to send and Isaiah's immediate volunteering.
Romans 10:15This verse quotes Isaiah 52:7, highlighting the beauty of the feet of those who bring good news, directly linking to the commission given to Isaiah and the essential role of messengers for God's plan.
barnesIsaiah 6:8: "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me."
The voice of the Lord - Hebrew: "The voice of Yahweh." He had before been addressed by one of the seraphim. Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? - The change of number here, from the singular to the plural, is very remarkable. Jerome, on this place, says that it indicates the 'sacrament' of the Trinity. The Septuagint renders it, 'whom shall I send, and who…
jfbIsaiah 6:8: "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me."
- I … us—The change of number indicates the Trinity (compare Ge 1:26; 11:7). Though not a sure argument for the doctrine, for the plural may indicate merely majesty, it accords with that truth proved elsewhere.Whom … who—implying that few would be willing to bear the self-denial which the delivering of such an unwelcome message to the Jews would require on the p…
The verse highlights God's initiative in seeking a messenger and the prophet's immediate, unqualified response. What's often missed is that God asks, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?", revealing a divine plurality at the very moment of commissioning Isaiah, underscoring the profound, Trinitarian nature of God's redemptive plan. Isaiah's simple "Here I am! Send me" is not just obedience, but an eager acceptance of a role within this divine council.
Following a profound vision of God's glory and his own uncleanness, Isaiah has just been cleansed by a seraph. Now, he hears the divine voice initiating a crucial mission, posing a question that reveals God's need for someone to carry an arduous message to His people, a message that will ultimately harden their hearts.
Following a profound vision of God's glory and his own uncleanness, Isaiah has just been cleansed by a seraph. Now, he hears the divine voice initiating a crucial mission, posing a question that reveals God's need for someone to carry an arduous message to His people, a message that will ultimately harden their hearts.
"And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”" — The verse highlights God's initiative in seeking a messenger and the prophet's immediate, unqualified response. What's often missed is that God asks, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?", r…
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Last reviewed October 2026