Isaiah 40:7
Isaiah 40:7 in Multiple Translations
The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass.
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, because the breath of Jehovah bloweth upon it; surely the people is grass.
The grass becomes dry, the flower is dead; because the breath of the Lord goes over it: truly the people is grass.
The grass wilts and the flower fades when the Lord breathes on them. Yes, the people are grass!
The grasse withereth, the floure fadeth, because the Spirite of the Lord bloweth vpon it: surely the people is grasse.
Withered hath grass, faded the flower, For the Spirit of Jehovah blew upon it, Surely the people [is] grass;
The grass withers, the flower fades, because the LORD’s breath blows on it. Surely the people are like grass.
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.
The grass is withered, and the dower is fallen, because the spirit of the Lord hath blown upon it. Indeed the people is grass:
Grass withers and flowers dry up when Yahweh causes a hot wind from the desert to blow on them. And people are [MET] like that.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 40:7
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 40:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יָבֵ֤שׁ
חָצִיר֙
נָ֣בֵֽל
צִ֔יץ
כִּ֛י
ר֥וּחַ
יְהוָ֖ה
נָ֣שְׁבָה
בּ֑/וֹ
אָכֵ֥ן
חָצִ֖יר
הָ/עָֽם
יָבֵ֤שׁ
yâbêsh
H3001
to wither
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
חָצִיר֙
châtsîyr
H2682
grass
N-ms
נָ֣בֵֽל
nâbêl
H5034
be senseless
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
צִ֔יץ
tsîyts
H6731
flower
N-ms
כִּ֛י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
ר֥וּחַ
rûwach
H7307
spirit
N-cs
יְהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
נָ֣שְׁבָה
nâshab
H5380
to blow
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
בּ֑/וֹ
Prep | Suff
אָכֵ֥ן
ʼâkên
H403
surely
Adv
חָצִ֖יר
châtsîyr
H2682
grass
N-ms
הָ/עָֽם
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
Art | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 40:7
יָבֵ֤שׁ
yâbêsh
H3001
"to wither"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to wither or dry up, like a plant without water. It can also mean to be ashamed or disappointed. The Bible uses it to describe things that have lost their freshness or vitality.
Definition: 1) to make dry, wither, be dry, become dry, be dried up, be withered 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be dry, be dried up, be without moisture 1a2) to be dried up 1b) (Piel) to make dry, dry up 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to dry up, make dry 1c1a) to dry up (water) 1c1b) to make dry, wither 1c1c) to exhibit dryness
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: be ashamed, clean, be confounded, (make) dry (up), (do) shame(-fully), [idiom] utterly, wither (away). See also: Genesis 8:7; Jeremiah 6:15; Psalms 22:16.
חָצִיר֙
châtsîyr
H2682
"grass"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word can mean grass or a type of plant, like a leek. It appears in Numbers 5:18, describing a ritual involving holy water and a grain offering.
Definition: 1a) grass 1b) of the quickly perishing (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: grass, hay, herb, leek. See also: Numbers 11:5; Psalms 147:8; Psalms 37:2.
נָ֣בֵֽל
nâbêl
H5034
"be senseless"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To wither means to lose strength or fade away, and can also describe someone acting foolishly or wickedly. It is used to convey a sense of decline or failure.
Definition: 1) to be senseless, be foolish 1a) (Qal) to be foolish 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to regard or treat as foolish 1b2) to treat with contempt
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: disgrace, dishounour, lightly esteem, fade (away, -ing), fall (down, -ling, off), do foolishly, come to nought, [idiom] surely, make vile, wither. See also: Exodus 18:18; Isaiah 28:1; Psalms 1:3.
צִ֔יץ
tsîyts
H6731
"flower"
N-ms
This word can mean a feather, wing, or flower, often describing something bright or gleaming. It is used to describe the beauty of nature, like blossoms or flowers.
Definition: 1) flower, bloom 1a) flower, bloom 1b) shining thing (of gold plate on high priest's mitre) (metaph.) Also means: tsi.tsah (צִיצָה "flower" H6733)
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: blossom, flower, plate, wing. See also: Exodus 28:36; 1 Kings 6:35; Psalms 103:15.
כִּ֛י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
ר֥וּחַ
rûwach
H7307
"spirit"
N-cs
In the Bible, this word for spirit refers to the breath of life, the wind, or a person's mind and emotions, as seen in the book of Ezekiel.
Definition: : spirit 1) wind, breath, mind, spirit 1a) breath 1b) wind 1b1) of heaven 1b2) quarter (of wind), side 1b3) breath of air 1b4) air, gas 1b5) vain, empty thing 1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation) 1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour 1c2) courage 1c3) temper, anger 1c4) impatience, patience 1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented) 1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse 1c7) prophetic spirit 1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals) 1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being 1e) spirit (as seat of emotion) 1e1) desire 1e2) sorrow, trouble 1f) spirit 1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts 1f2) rarely of the will 1f3) as seat especially of moral character 1g) Spirit of God, the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son 1g1) as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy 1g2) as impelling prophet to utter instruction or warning 1g3) imparting warlike energy and executive and administrative power 1g4) as endowing men with various gifts 1g5) as energy of life 1g6) as manifest in the Shekinah glory 1g7) never referred to as a depersonalised force
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y). See also: Genesis 1:2; Job 6:26; Psalms 1:4.
יְהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
נָ֣שְׁבָה
nâshab
H5380
"to blow"
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
To blow means to disperse or drive away, like a strong wind. This verb is used in the Bible to describe God's power and control over nature. It can also mean to scatter or spread out.
Definition: 1) to blow 1a) (Qal) to blow 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to blow 1b2) to disperse, to drive away
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: (cause to) blow, drive away. See also: Genesis 15:11; Psalms 147:18; Isaiah 40:7.
בּ֑/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
אָכֵ֥ן
ʼâkên
H403
"surely"
Adv
The Hebrew word ʼâkên means surely or truly, often used for strong emphasis. It is used in the Bible to express certainty or contrast, like in Genesis 28:16 where Jacob says 'Surely the Lord is in this place'.
Definition: 1) surely, truly, indeed 1a) truly, indeed (strong assertive force) 1b) but indeed, but in fact (emphasizing a contrast)
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: but, certainly, nevertheless, surely, truly, verily. See also: Genesis 28:16; Isaiah 40:7; Psalms 31:23.
חָצִ֖יר
châtsîyr
H2682
"grass"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word can mean grass or a type of plant, like a leek. It appears in Numbers 5:18, describing a ritual involving holy water and a grain offering.
Definition: 1a) grass 1b) of the quickly perishing (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: grass, hay, herb, leek. See also: Numbers 11:5; Psalms 147:8; Psalms 37:2.
הָ/עָֽם
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
Art | N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
Study Notes — Isaiah 40:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 40:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 40:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 40:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 40:7
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 40:7
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 40:7
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 40:7
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 40:7
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 40:7
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 40:7
- Sermons on Isaiah 40:7
Context — The Enduring Word
5And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all humanity together will see it.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
6A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field.
7The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass.
8The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” 9Go up on a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news. Raise your voice loudly, O Jerusalem, herald of good news. Lift it up, do not be afraid! Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 41:21 | His breath sets coals ablaze, and flames pour from his mouth. |
Isaiah 40:7 Summary
[Isaiah 40:7 reminds us that people are like grass and flowers - we are fragile and our time on earth is short. This is also seen in Psalms 90:5-6, where our lives are compared to a dream that fades away. Just as grass withers and flowers fall when the wind blows, our lives can change quickly. The good news is that even though we are temporary, God's word and love for us last forever, as noted in Matthew 24:35. This truth should encourage us to focus on what truly lasts, rather than getting caught up in the fleeting things of this world.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that the people are grass in Isaiah 40:7?
This means that just like grass withers and falls, people are fragile and temporary, as noted in other scriptures like Psalms 103:15-16, which says that our days are like grass and we wither like flowers of the field.
Is God's breath a symbol of judgment or something else in this verse?
In Isaiah 40:7, God's breath symbolizes His power and authority, as seen in other verses like Job 4:9, where the breath of God can bring destruction, but also in John 20:22, where Jesus breathes on the disciples to give them life, showing the dual nature of God's breath as both creative and destructive.
How does this relate to the glory of the Lord being revealed in the preceding verse, Isaiah 40:5?
The contrast between the withering grass and the eternal word of God highlights the fleeting nature of human glory compared to the enduring glory of the Lord, as seen in Isaiah 66:18-19, where God's glory is what truly endures and is to be feared and respected.
What is the significance of the flowers falling in this verse?
The flowers falling, along with the grass withering, emphasizes the transient nature of human glory and beauty, much like in James 1:10-11, where the rich will fade away like a flower in the field, underlining the importance of seeking eternal things rather than earthly glory.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways do I see my own life as fragile and temporary, like the grass and flowers in this verse?
- How does recognizing the transience of human life and glory affect my priorities and decisions?
- What are some ways I can ensure that my focus is on eternal things, rather than the fleeting nature of earthly glory and beauty?
- How does the breath of the Lord, as mentioned in this verse, inspire both reverence and comfort in my relationship with God?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 40:7
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth,.... And so does man, and all his glory and goodliness: because the Spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: alluding to some impetuous and blasting wind blowing
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 40:7
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth ... because the Spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it - or, the wind of Yahweh (Psalms 103:16).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 40:7
The Spirit of the Lord; or, the breath, &c, as this word is rendered, ; the wind, as it frequently signifies, which hath this effect upon grass and flowers, . The people; the same which he called flesh, and said they were grass, ; which, that he might prove, in this verse he first declares the frail nature of grass and flowers, and then he applies this to the people. Or, this people; the Jews no less than the Gentiles; for here is an article in the Hebrew text, which is frequently emphatical and restrictive.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 40:7
Isaiah 40:7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people [is] grass.Ver. 7. Because the Spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it.] Or, when the breath of the Lord bloweth upon it. God can easily blow men to destruction, dissipate them as so many vile dust heaps. Surely the people is grass.] Have we not heard; have we not seen from the beginning; doth not every day’ s experience seal to it, that all flesh is grass? yea, hath not God oft heard our attestations? We shake our heads, we confess it is true, &c., and yet we lay it not rightly to heart, though so deeply assevered and assured us.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 40:7
(7) The spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it.—Better, the breath, or the wind of Jehovah, as we are still in the region of the parable, and the agency is destructive, and not quickening. A “wind of Jehovah” would be a mighty storm-blast, tearing up the grass and hurling it to destruction. The image of the fading flower reminds us of the well-known Homeric simile, “As are the generations of leaves, so are those of men.” (Comp. Psalms 103:15-16.) The word of our God . . .—Primarily the prophetic word revealing the will of God, but including all manifestations of His being (Psalms 119:41; Psalms 119:65; Psalms 119:89; John 1:1).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 40:7
Verse 7. The grass withereth] The whole of this verse is wanting in three of Kennicott's and five of De Rossi's MSS., and in a very correct and ancient MS. of my own, and also in the Septuagint and Arabic. Surely the people - "Verily this people"] So the Syriac; who perhaps read העם הזה haam hazzeh. Because the spirit of the Lord - "When the wind of JEHOVAH"] רוח יהוה ruach Jehovah, a wind of JEHOVAH, is a Hebraism, meaning no more than a strong wind. It is well known that a hot wind in the east destroys every green thing. Compare Psalms 103:16. Two MSS. omit the word יהוה Yehovah, Jehovah.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 40:7
7. the spirit of the Lord] Better as R.V. the breath of the LORD, i.e. the wind (Psalms 103:16), specially the scorching east-wind (Hosea 13:15) or Sirocco, which blows chiefly in the spring, blighting the fresh vegetation (see Smith, Hist. Geog. of Palestine, pp. 67 ff.). surely the people is grass] “The people,” used absolutely, must apparently mean “humanity”; although there are no strict parallels to this sense. To understand it of Israel is opposed to the prophet’s general teaching and misrepresents his meaning here. It is not Israel, but the enemies of Israel, whose perishableness he is concerned to assert. The words at best are a flat repetition of Isa 40:6 and should probably be removed as a marginal gloss. The LXX., indeed, omits all from because in Isaiah 40:7 to fadeth in Isaiah 40:8 : but this proves nothing, as it is evidently an oversight caused by the homœoteleuton. The resumption of the leading thought is a very effective introduction to the contrasted idea in the end of Isa 40:8.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 40:7
The grass withereth - Soon withers. Its beauty is soon gone. The flower fadeth - Soon fades; or fades when the wind of Yahweh passes over it. So is also with man.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 40:7
6-8. Cry — Isaiah again hears a voice crying. Not the same voice. That was the herald’s cry. This one belongs to another subject.
Sermons on Isaiah 40:7
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Spirit in Creation by G. Campbell Morgan | G. Campbell Morgan explores the profound role of the Holy Spirit in creation, emphasizing that His generative work is often overlooked compared to His regenerative role. He illustr |
|
1 Corinthians 12:1-2 by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches about the importance of understanding spiritual gifts and the manifestation of the Spirit, emphasizing the diversity of gifts given by the same Spirit for |