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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Isaiah 40:7 The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/23_Isa_40_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 40:7 - The Word of the Lord Stands Forever" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/isaiah/40-7.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/isaiah/40-7.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/isaiah/">Isaiah</a> > <a href="/isaiah/40.htm">Chapter 40</a> > Verse 7</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad7.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/isaiah/40-6.htm" title="Isaiah 40:6">◄</a> Isaiah 40:7 <a href="/isaiah/40-8.htm" title="Isaiah 40:8">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/isaiah/40.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/isaiah/40.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/40.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The grass withers and the flowers fade beneath the breath of the LORD. And so it is with people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/40.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/40.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/40.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people <i>is</i> grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/40.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The grass withers, the flower fades, Because the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people <i>are</i> grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/40.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of the LORD blows upon it; The people are indeed grass!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/40.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/40.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/40.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of Yahweh blows upon it; Surely the people are grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/40.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Most certainly [all] the people are [like] grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/40.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The grass withers, the flowers fade when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/40.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The grass withers, the flowers fade when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/40.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, because the breath of Jehovah bloweth upon it; surely the people is grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/40.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />At the LORD's command, flowers and grass disappear, and so do we. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/40.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; because the breath of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/40.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Grass dries up, and flowers wither when the LORD's breath blows on them. Yes, people are like grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/40.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Grass withers and flowers fade when the LORD sends the wind blowing over them. People are no more enduring than grass. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/40.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Grass withers and flowers fade away when the LORD's breath blows on them; surely the people are like grass. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/40.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/40.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The grass dries up, the flowers wither, when the wind sent by the LORD blows on them. Surely humanity is like grass. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/40.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The grass withers, the flower fades, because the LORD's breath blows on it. Surely the people are like grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/40.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/40.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The grass withers, the flower fades, because Yahweh’s breath blows on it. Surely the people are like grass. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/40.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Grass has withered, the flower faded, "" For the Spirit of YHWH blew on it, "" Surely the people [is] grass;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/40.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Withered hath grass, faded the flower, For the Spirit of Jehovah blew upon it, Surely the people is grass;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/40.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The grass was dried up, the flower fell away: for the spirit of Jehovah blew upon it: surely the people grass.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/40.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The grass is withered, and the dower is fallen, because the spirit of the Lord hath blown upon it. Indeed the people is grass: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/40.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The grass has dried up, and the flower has fallen. For the Spirit of the Lord has blown over it. Truly, the people are like grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/40.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The grass withers, the flower wilts, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it.” “Yes, the people is grass! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/40.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/40.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The grass withers, the flower fades, because the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely this people is like the grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/40.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Grass dries up and a flower fades, because the Spirit of LORD JEHOVAH blew on it; so is the grass of this people<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/40.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; Because the breath of the LORD bloweth upon it-- Surely the people is grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/40-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=8506" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/40.htm">The Word of the Lord Stands Forever</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6</span>A 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. <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2682.htm" title="2682: ḥā·ṣîr (N-ms) -- Green grass, herbage. Perhaps originally the same as chatsiyr, from the greenness of a courtyard; grass; also a leek.">The grass</a> <a href="/hebrew/3001.htm" title="3001: yā·ḇêš (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To be dry, dried up, or withered. A primitive root; to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also to dry up or wither.">withers</a> <a href="/hebrew/6731.htm" title="6731: ṣîṣ (N-ms) -- Or tsits; from tsuwts; properly, glistening, i.e. A burnished plate; also a flower; a wing.">and the flowers</a> <a href="/hebrew/5034.htm" title="5034: nā·ḇêl (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to wilt; generally, to fall away, fail, faint; figuratively, to be foolish or wicked; causatively, to despise, disgrace.">fall</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">when</a> <a href="/hebrew/7307.htm" title="7307: rū·aḥ (N-csc) -- Breath, wind, spirit. From ruwach; wind; by resemblance breath.">the breath</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/5380.htm" title="5380: nā·šə·ḇāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To blow. A primitive root; to blow; by implication, to disperse.">blows</a> <a href="/hebrew/bōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">on them;</a> <a href="/hebrew/403.htm" title="403: ’ā·ḵên (Adv) -- Surely. From kuwn; firmly; figuratively, surely; also But.">indeed,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">the people</a> <a href="/hebrew/2682.htm" title="2682: ḥā·ṣîr (N-ms) -- Green grass, herbage. Perhaps originally the same as chatsiyr, from the greenness of a courtyard; grass; also a leek.">are grass.</a> </span><span class="reftext">8</span>The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-24.htm">1 Peter 1:24-25</a></span><br />For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, / but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-10.htm">James 1:10-11</a></span><br />But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field. / For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its flower falls and its beauty is lost. So too, the rich man will fade away in the midst of his pursuits.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/103-15.htm">Psalm 103:15-16</a></span><br />As for man, his days are like grass—he blooms like a flower of the field; / when the wind passes over, it vanishes, and its place remembers it no more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/14-1.htm">Job 14:1-2</a></span><br />“Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. / Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-30.htm">Matthew 6:30</a></span><br />If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/90-5.htm">Psalm 90:5-6</a></span><br />You sweep them away in their sleep; they are like the new grass of the morning— / in the morning it springs up new, but by evening it fades and withers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-31.htm">1 Corinthians 7:31</a></span><br />and those who use the things of this world, as if not dependent on them. For this world in its present form is passing away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/102-11.htm">Psalm 102:11</a></span><br />My days are like lengthening shadows, and I wither away like grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/37-2.htm">Psalm 37:2</a></span><br />For they wither quickly like grass and wilt like tender plants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/92-7.htm">Psalm 92:7</a></span><br />that though the wicked sprout like grass, and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-26.htm">2 Kings 19:26</a></span><br />Therefore their inhabitants, devoid of power, are dismayed and ashamed. They are like plants in the field, tender green shoots, grass on the rooftops, scorched before it is grown.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/2-17.htm">1 John 2:17</a></span><br />The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/129-6.htm">Psalm 129:6</a></span><br />May they be like grass on the rooftops, which withers before it can grow,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/8-9.htm">Job 8:9</a></span><br />For we were born yesterday and know nothing; our days on earth are but a shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/144-4.htm">Psalm 144:4</a></span><br />Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The grass wither, the flower fades: because the spirit of the LORD blows on it: surely the people is grass.</p><p class="hdg">no reference </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_chronicles/23-13.htm">Blew</a> <a href="/isaiah/18-3.htm">Bloweth</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-5.htm">Blows</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-16.htm">Breath</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-36.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-25.htm">Dry</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-4.htm">Faded</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-4.htm">Fades</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-7.htm">Fadeth</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-7.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-6.htm">Flower</a> <a href="/isaiah/35-1.htm">Flowers</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-29.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-6.htm">Grass</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-16.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/isaiah/39-6.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-4.htm">Withered</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-9.htm">Withereth</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-4.htm">Withers</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/haggai/1-9.htm">Blew</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-24.htm">Bloweth</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-24.htm">Blows</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-24.htm">Breath</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-8.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-8.htm">Dry</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-8.htm">Faded</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-8.htm">Fades</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-8.htm">Fadeth</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-8.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-8.htm">Flower</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-8.htm">Flowers</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-3.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-8.htm">Grass</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-13.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-15.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-8.htm">Withered</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-8.htm">Withereth</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-8.htm">Withers</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 40</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/40-1.htm">The promulgation of the Gospel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">The preaching of John Baptist foretold</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/40-9.htm">The preaching of the apostles foretold</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/40-12.htm">The prophet, by the omnipotence of God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/40-18.htm">And his incomparableness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/40-26.htm">Comforts the people.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/40.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/40.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The grass withers</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the transient nature of life and human achievements. In the biblical context, grass is often used as a metaphor for frailty and mortality (<a href="/psalms/103-15.htm">Psalm 103:15-16</a>). The imagery of withering grass highlights the temporary nature of earthly existence compared to the eternal nature of God. This serves as a reminder of human dependence on God and the futility of relying on worldly strength.<p><b>and the flowers fall</b><br>Flowers, like grass, symbolize beauty and the fleeting nature of life. The falling of flowers suggests the inevitable decline of human glory and accomplishments. This imagery is echoed in <a href="/james/1-10.htm">James 1:10-11</a>, where the rich are compared to flowers that fade away. It underscores the message that human pride and achievements are temporary and should not be the focus of one's life.<p><b>when the breath of the LORD blows on them;</b><br>The "breath of the LORD" signifies God's power and sovereignty over creation. In Hebrew, the word for breath, "ruach," can also mean spirit or wind, indicating divine intervention. This phrase suggests that it is God's will that determines the fate of creation, reinforcing His ultimate authority. It also connects to the idea of God's judgment and the transformative power of His presence (<a href="/job/4-9.htm">Job 4:9</a>).<p><b>indeed, the people are grass.</b><br>This statement directly compares humanity to grass, emphasizing human frailty and the brevity of life. It serves as a humbling reminder of human limitations and the need for reliance on God. This metaphor is consistent with other biblical passages, such as <a href="/1_peter/1-24.htm">1 Peter 1:24</a>, which reiterate the transient nature of human life in contrast to the enduring word of God. It calls believers to focus on spiritual, eternal matters rather than temporal, earthly concerns.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is traditionally credited with writing the Book of Isaiah. His prophecies often focus on the themes of judgment and redemption.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant name of God in the Hebrew Bible, representing His eternal and unchanging nature. In this verse, His breath symbolizes His power and sovereignty over creation.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_people.htm">The People</a></b><br>Refers to humanity in general, emphasizing their frailty and transience compared to the eternal nature of God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/grass_and_flowers.htm">Grass and Flowers</a></b><br>Metaphors for the temporary and fleeting nature of human life and achievements.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_breath_of_the_lord.htm">The Breath of the LORD</a></b><br>Symbolizes God's active presence and power, which can bring both life and judgment.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_transience_of_human_life.htm">The Transience of Human Life</a></b><br>Human life, like grass and flowers, is temporary and fragile. This should lead us to humility and reliance on God rather than on our own strength or achievements.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sovereignty_of_god.htm">The Sovereignty of God</a></b><br>God's breath, representing His will and power, governs the universe. Recognizing His sovereignty should lead us to trust in His plans and purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_enduring_word_of_god.htm">The Enduring Word of God</a></b><br>While human life is fleeting, God's word stands forever. We should prioritize knowing and living by His word, which provides eternal truth and guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_repentance_and_faith.htm">The Call to Repentance and Faith</a></b><br>Understanding our frailty should lead us to repentance and faith in God, who offers eternal life through Jesus Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_with_eternal_perspective.htm">Living with Eternal Perspective</a></b><br>In light of our temporary existence, we should focus on what has eternal value, investing in our relationship with God and serving others.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_40.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 40</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/meaning_of_'grass_withers,_flowers_fade'.htm">What does "the grass withers and flowers fade" mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_non-faith_action_sinful.htm">What is Bible preservation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'life_is_a_vapor'_mean.htm">What does "life is a vapor" mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'you_are_gods'_mean.htm">What does "You are gods" mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/40.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) <span class= "bld">The spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">the breath, </span>or <span class= "ital">the wind </span>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. <a href="/context/psalms/103-15.htm" title="As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourishes.">Psalm 103:15-16</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">The word of our God . . .</span>--Primarily the prophetic word revealing the will of God, but including all manifestations of His being (<a href="/psalms/119-41.htm" title="Let your mercies come also to me, O LORD, even your salvation, according to your word.">Psalm 119:41</a>; <a href="/psalms/119-65.htm" title="You have dealt well with your servant, O LORD, according to your word.">Psalm 119:65</a>; <a href="/psalms/119-89.htm" title="For ever, O LORD, your word is settled in heaven.">Psalm 119:89</a>; <a href="/john/1-1.htm" title="In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.">John 1:1</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/40.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 7.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The flower fadeth: because the Spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it.</span> When the hot winds, which God sends, blow in spring-time, the flowers fade; when a destroying breath from him (see <a href="/isaiah/30-33.htm">Isaiah 30:33</a>) passes over the generations of men, they perish. <span class="cmt_word">Surely the people is grass</span>. Either a mere repetition of "all flesh is grass" (ver. 6) with an asseveration, or an intimation that "the people" of Israel is not exempt from the lot of mankind in general, but shares it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/40-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The grass</span><br /><span class="heb">חָצִיר֙</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·ṣîr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2682.htm">Strong's 2682: </a> </span><span class="str2">Green grass, herbage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">withers,</span><br /><span class="heb">יָבֵ֤שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḇêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3001.htm">Strong's 3001: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be ashamed, confused, disappointed, to dry up, wither</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the flowers</span><br /><span class="heb">צִ֔יץ</span> <span class="translit">(ṣîṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6731.htm">Strong's 6731: </a> </span><span class="str2">Glistening, a burnished plate, a flower, a wing</span><br /><br /><span class="word">fall</span><br /><span class="heb">נָ֣בֵֽל</span> <span class="translit">(nā·ḇêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5034.htm">Strong's 5034: </a> </span><span class="str2">To wilt, to fall away, fail, faint, to be foolish, wicked, to despise, disgrace</span><br /><br /><span class="word">when</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֛י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the breath</span><br /><span class="heb">ר֥וּחַ</span> <span class="translit">(rū·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7307.htm">Strong's 7307: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">blows on them;</span><br /><span class="heb">נָ֣שְׁבָה</span> <span class="translit">(nā·šə·ḇāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5380.htm">Strong's 5380: </a> </span><span class="str2">To blow, to disperse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">indeed,</span><br /><span class="heb">אָכֵ֥ן</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḵên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_403.htm">Strong's 403: </a> </span><span class="str2">Firmly, surely, but</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the people</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are grass.</span><br /><span class="heb">חָצִ֖יר</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·ṣîr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2682.htm">Strong's 2682: </a> </span><span class="str2">Green grass, herbage</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/40-7.htm">Isaiah 40:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/40-7.htm">Isaiah 40:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/40-7.htm">Isaiah 40:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/40-7.htm">Isaiah 40:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/40-7.htm">Isaiah 40:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/40-7.htm">Isaiah 40:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/40-7.htm">Isaiah 40:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/40-7.htm">Isaiah 40:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/40-7.htm">Isaiah 40:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/40-7.htm">Isaiah 40:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/40-7.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 40:7 The grass withers the flower fades because (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/40-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 40:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 40:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/40-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 40:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 40:8" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>