Isaiah 37:27
New International Version
Their people, drained of power, are dismayed and put to shame. They are like plants in the field, like tender green shoots, like grass sprouting on the roof, scorched before it grows up.

New Living Translation
That is why their people have so little power and are so frightened and confused. They are as weak as grass, as easily trampled as tender green shoots. They are like grass sprouting on a housetop, scorched before it can grow lush and tall.

English Standard Version
while their inhabitants, shorn of strength, are dismayed and confounded, and have become like plants of the field and like tender grass, like grass on the housetops, blighted before it is grown.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded: they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as corn blasted before it be grown up.

New King James Version
Therefore their inhabitants had little power; They were dismayed and confounded; They were as the grass of the field And the green herb, As the grass on the housetops And grain blighted before it is grown.

New American Standard Bible
“Therefore their inhabitants were powerless, They were shattered and put to shame; They were like the vegetation of the field and the green grass, Like grass on the housetops that is scorched before it has grown.

NASB 1995
“Therefore their inhabitants were short of strength, They were dismayed and put to shame; They were as the vegetation of the field and as the green herb, As grass on the housetops is scorched before it is grown up.

NASB 1977
“Therefore their inhabitants were short of strength, They were dismayed and put to shame; They were as the vegetation of the field and as the green herb, As grass on the housetops is scorched before it is grown up.

Legacy Standard Bible
So their inhabitants were short of power; They were dismayed and put to shame; They were as the plant of the field and as the green herb, As grass on the rooftops is scorched before it rises.

Amplified Bible
“Therefore their inhabitants had little power, They were terrorized and shamed; They were like the grass of the field and the green vegetation, Like grass on the housetops and like a field [of grain] scorched before it is grown.

Christian Standard Bible
Their inhabitants have become powerless, dismayed, and ashamed. They are plants of the field, tender grass, grass on the rooftops, blasted by the east wind.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Their inhabitants have become powerless, dismayed, and ashamed. They are plants of the field, tender grass, grass on the rooftops, blasted by the east wind.

American Standard Version
Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as a field of grain before it is grown up.

Contemporary English Version
Their people became weak, terribly confused. They were like wild flowers or like tender young grass growing on a flat roof or like a field of grain before it matures.

English Revised Version
Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as a field of corn before it be grown up.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Those who live in these cities are weak, discouraged, and ashamed. They will be like plants in the field, like fresh, green grass on the roofs, dried up by the east wind.

Good News Translation
The people who lived there were powerless; they were frightened and stunned. They were like grass in a field or weeds growing on a roof when the hot east wind blasts them.

International Standard Version
Their inhabitants are devoid of power, and are terrified and put to shame. They've become like plants in the field, like green shoots, like grass on rooftops, scorched by the east wind.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
Their residents are powerless; they are terrified and ashamed. They are as short-lived as plants in the field or green vegetation. They are as short-lived as grass on the rooftops when it is scorched by the east wind.

New Heart English Bible
Therefore their inhabitants had little power. They were dismayed and confounded. They were like the grass of the field, and like the green herb, like the grass on the rooftops when it is scorched by the east wind.

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded: they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the house-tops, and as corn blasted before it is grown up.

World English Bible
Therefore their inhabitants had little power. They were dismayed and confounded. They were like the grass of the field, and like the green herb, like the grass on the housetops, and like a field before its crop has grown.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And their inhabitants are feeble-handed, "" They were broken down, and are dried up. They have been the herb of the field, "" And the greenness of the tender grass, "" Grass of the roofs, "" And blasted grain, before it has risen up.

Young's Literal Translation
And their inhabitants are feeble-handed, They were broken down, and are dried up. They have been the herb of the field, And the greenness of the tender grass, Grass of the roofs, And blasted corn, before it hath risen up.

Smith's Literal Translation
And their inhabitants short of hand; they were dismayed and ashamed; they were the greet herb of the field and the verdure, and the tender grass of the enclosure of the roofs, and a blasting before it rose up.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The inhabitants of them were weak of hand, they trembled, and were confounded: they became like the grass of the field, and the herb of the pasture, and like the grass of the housetops, which withered before it was ripe.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Their inhabitants had unsteady hands. They trembled and were confused. They became like the plants of the field, and the grass of the pastures, and like the weeds on the rooftops, which wither before they are mature.

New American Bible
Their people powerless, dismayed and distraught, They are plants of the field, green growth, thatch on the rooftops, Grain scorched by the east wind.

New Revised Standard Version
while their inhabitants, shorn of strength, are dismayed and confounded; they have become like plants of the field and like tender grass, like grass on the housetops, blighted before it is grown.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Whose inhabitants were weak, and were defeated and confounded, and became like the grass of the field and the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, as tender blades of wheat blasted before it is grown up.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
For their inhabitants’ hands have weakened among them. They were broken down and ashamed and they were like grass of the field and like the green of spring and like the corn of the roof and like a tender sprout before a stalk
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, They were dismayed and confounded; They were as the grass of the field, And as the green herb, As the grass on the housetops, And as a field of corn before it is grown up.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I weakened their hands, and they withered; and they became as dry grass on the house-tops, and as grass.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Fall of Sennacherib Prophesied
26Have you not heard? Long ago I ordained it; in days of old I planned it. Now I have brought it to pass, that you should crush fortified cities into piles of rubble. 27Therefore 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. 28But I know your sitting down, your going out and coming in, and your raging against Me.…

Cross References
2 Kings 19:26
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.

Psalm 129:6
May they be like grass on the rooftops, which withers before it can grow,

Isaiah 40:24
No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner have their stems taken root in the ground, than He blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like stubble.

Isaiah 41:2
Who has aroused one from the east and called him to his feet in righteousness? He hands nations over to him and subdues kings before him. He turns them to dust with his sword, to windblown chaff with his bow.

Isaiah 41:15-16
Behold, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff. / You will winnow them, and a wind will carry them away; a gale will scatter them. But you will rejoice in the LORD; you will glory in the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 42:15
I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation. I will turn the rivers into dry land and drain the marshes.

Isaiah 44:27
who says to the depths of the sea, ‘Be dry, and I will dry up your currents,’

Isaiah 45:1-2
This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut: / “I will go before you and level the mountains; I will break down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron.

Isaiah 47:14
Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. There will be no coals to warm them or fire to sit beside.

Isaiah 64:6
Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.

Job 8:12
While the shoots are still uncut, they dry up more quickly than grass.

Job 18:16
The roots beneath him dry up, and the branches above him wither away.

Job 20:5-8
the triumph of the wicked has been brief and the joy of the godless momentary? / Though his arrogance reaches the heavens, and his head touches the clouds, / he will perish forever, like his own dung; those who had seen him will ask, ‘Where is he?’ ...

Ezekiel 17:9-10
So you are to tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Will it flourish? Will it not be uprooted and stripped of its fruit so that it shrivels? All its foliage will wither! It will not take a strong arm or many people to pull it up by its roots. / Even if it is transplanted, will it flourish? Will it not completely wither when the east wind strikes? It will wither on the bed where it sprouted.’”

Ezekiel 19:12
But it was uprooted in fury, cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up its fruit. Its strong branches were stripped off and they withered; the fire consumed them.


Treasury of Scripture

Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded: they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as corn blasted before it be grown up.

their inhabitants

Isaiah 19:16
In that day shall Egypt be like unto women: and it shall be afraid and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which he shaketh over it.

Numbers 14:9
Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.

2 Kings 19:26
Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as corn blasted before it be grown up.

of small power.

Isaiah 40:6-8
The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: …

Psalm 37:2
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

Psalm 90:5,6
Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up…

Jump to Previous
Blasted Cold Confounded Corn Crop Dismayed Drained Feeble-Handed Field Grass Green Grown Grows Herb Housetops House-Tops Inhabitants Little Makes Plants Power Powerless Roof Scorched Shame Shoots Short Small Sprouting Strength Tender Townsmen Vegetation Waste Wind
Jump to Next
Blasted Cold Confounded Corn Crop Dismayed Drained Feeble-Handed Field Grass Green Grown Grows Herb Housetops House-Tops Inhabitants Little Makes Plants Power Powerless Roof Scorched Shame Shoots Short Small Sprouting Strength Tender Townsmen Vegetation Waste Wind
Isaiah 37
1. Hezekiah mourning, sends to Isaiah to pray for them
6. Isaiah comforts them
8. Sennacherib, going to encounter Tirhakah, sends a blasphemous letter to Hezekiah
14. Hezekiah's prayer
21. Isaiah's prophecy of the destruction of Sennacherib, and the good of Zion
36. An angel slays the Assyrians
37. Sennacherib is slain at Nineveh by his own sons.














Therefore their inhabitants
This phrase refers to the people of the cities that have been conquered or are under threat. In the Hebrew text, the word for "inhabitants" is "יֹשְׁבֵיהֶם" (yosheveihem), which implies those who dwell or reside in a place. Historically, this reflects the Assyrian campaigns where entire populations were often displaced or subjugated. Theologically, it underscores the vulnerability of those who rely on their own strength rather than on God.

devoid of power
The Hebrew word "קָצְרֵי יָד" (katzrei yad) literally means "short of hand," symbolizing a lack of strength or ability to defend themselves. This imagery is powerful in conveying the helplessness of the people against the might of the Assyrian army. From a spiritual perspective, it serves as a reminder of the futility of human strength without divine support.

are dismayed and ashamed
The words "חַתּוּ וּבֹשׁוּ" (chattu u'voshu) describe a state of fear and humiliation. Historically, this reflects the psychological impact of Assyrian warfare, which was designed to instill terror. Spiritually, it highlights the consequences of turning away from God, leading to a state of confusion and disgrace.

They are like plants in the field
This simile uses the imagery of plants to describe the fragility and transience of human life. The Hebrew word "עֵשֶׂב" (esev) for "plants" suggests something that is temporary and easily destroyed. This serves as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of human power and the need for reliance on God, who is eternal.

tender green shoots
The phrase "יֶרֶק דֶּשֶׁא" (yereq deshe) refers to young, vulnerable plants. This imagery emphasizes the initial promise and potential that is quickly lost without proper sustenance. In a spiritual context, it can be seen as a call to nurture one's faith to withstand trials.

grass on the rooftops
In ancient Near Eastern architecture, rooftops were often flat and covered with a thin layer of soil where grass could grow. However, such grass was shallow-rooted and quickly withered. This metaphor illustrates the superficiality of relying on anything other than God, as it cannot withstand adversity.

scorched before it is grown
The Hebrew "שָׁדַף לִפְנֵי קָמָה" (shadaph lifnei kamah) describes something that is destroyed before it reaches maturity. This imagery conveys the idea of potential that is never realized due to external pressures or lack of foundation. Spiritually, it serves as a warning against neglecting one's spiritual growth, which can lead to spiritual desolation.

(27) Therefore.--Better, and.

They were as the grass of the field.--One symbol of weakness follows after another. The "grass upon the housetops" was, in this respect, a proverbial emblem (Psalm 129:6). The italics in as corn seem to suggest some error in transcription. The words as they stand give a field before the blades; those in 2Kings 19:26, a blasting.

Verse 27. - Therefore. The original is not so emphatic, but still contains the idea, not merely of sequence, but of consequence. God, having decreed the successes of the Assyrians, effected them (in part) by infusing weakness into the nations that were their adversaries. They were as the grass of the field (comp. Isaiah 40:6, 7). The comparison is one constantly used by the Hebrew psalmists (Psalm 37:2; Psalm 90:5; Psalm 92:7; Psalm 103:15), and was not unknown to the Assyrians ('Records of the Past,' vol. 3. p. 41; vol. 5. p. 14). The delicate grass of spring in the East withers within a few weeks, and the fresh and tender herbage becomes yellow, parched, and sapless. The grass that springs upon the earthen roofs of houses fails even more rapidly (comp. Psalm 129:6). As corn blasted before it be grown up; literally, like a field before the stalk. Our translators seem to have rightly preferred the reading of 2 Kings 19:26 (sh'dephah, equivalent to "blasting") to that of Isaiah (sh'demah, equivalent to "field") in this place. Their rendering brings out the true sense.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Therefore their inhabitants,
וְיֹֽשְׁבֵיהֶן֙ (wə·yō·šə·ḇê·hen)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person feminine plural
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

devoid
קִצְרֵי־ (qiṣ·rê-)
Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7116: Short

of power,
יָ֔ד (yāḏ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

are dismayed
חַ֖תּוּ (ḥat·tū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 2865: To prostrate, to break down, either, by violence, by confusion and fear

and ashamed.
וָבֹ֑שׁוּ (wā·ḇō·šū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 954: To pale, to be ashamed, to be disappointed, delayed

They are
הָי֞וּ (hā·yū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

plants
עֵ֤שֶׂב (‘ê·śeḇ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6212: Herb, herbage

of the field,
שָׂדֶה֙ (śā·ḏeh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704: Field, land

tender
וִ֣ירַק (wî·raq)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3419: Green, a vegetable

green shoots,
דֶּ֔שֶׁא (de·še)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1877: A sprout, grass

grass
חֲצִ֣יר (ḥă·ṣîr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2682: Green grass, herbage

on the roofs,
גַּגּ֔וֹת (gag·gō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1406: A roof, the top of an altar

scorched
וּשְׁדֵמָ֖ה (ū·šə·ḏê·māh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7709: A cultivated field

before
לִפְנֵ֥י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

it is grown.
קָמָֽה׃ (qā·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7054: Something that rises, a stalk of grain


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 37:27 Therefore their inhabitants had little power (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 37:26
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