Isaiah 40:7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass.

◄ Isaiah 40:7 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass.

English Standard Version
The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass.

New American Standard Bible
The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass.

King James Bible
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The grass withers, the flowers fade when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass.

International Standard Version
Grass withers and flowers fade away when the LORD's breath blows on them; surely the people are like grass.

American Standard Version
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, because the breath of Jehovah bloweth upon it; surely the people is grass.

Douay-Rheims Bible
The grass is withered, and the dower is fallen, because the spirit of the Lord hath blown upon it. Indeed the people is grass:

Darby Bible Translation
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, for the breath of Jehovah bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.

Young's Literal Translation
Withered hath grass, faded the flower, For the Spirit of Jehovah blew upon it, Surely the people is grass;

Cross References

James 1:10
But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

James 1:11
For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it wither the grass, and the flower thereof falls, and the grace of the fashion of it perishes: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

Job 4:9
By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.

Job 14:2
He comes forth like a flower, and is cut down: he flees also as a shadow, and continues not.

Job 41:21
His breath kindles coals, and a flame goes out of his mouth.

Psalm 90:5
You carry them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which grows up.

Psalm 90:6
In the morning it flourishes, and grows up; in the evening it is cut down, and wither.

Psalm 102:4
My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.

Psalm 103:16
For the wind passes over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

Isaiah 11:4
But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

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Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

40:1-11 All human life is a warfare; the Christian life is the most so; but the struggle will not last always. Troubles are removed in love, when sin is pardoned. In the great atonement of the death of Christ, the mercy of God is exercised to the glory of his justice. In Christ, and his sufferings, true penitents receive of the Lord's hand double for all their sins; for the satisfaction Christ made by his death was of infinite value. The prophet had some reference to the return of the Jews from Babylon. But this is a small event, compared with that pointed out by the Holy Ghost in the New Testament, when John the Baptist proclaimed the approach of Christ. When eastern princes marched through desert countries, ways were prepared for them, and hinderances removed. And may the Lord prepare our hearts by the teaching of his word and the convictions of his Spirit, that high and proud thoughts may be brought down, good desires planted, crooked and rugged tempers made straight and softened, and every hinderance removed, that we may be ready for his will on earth, and prepared for his heavenly kingdom. What are all that belongs to fallen man, or all that he does, but as the grass and the flower thereof! And what will all the titles and possessions of a dying sinner avail, when they leave him under condemnation! The word of the Lord can do that for us, which all flesh cannot. The glad tidings of the coming of Christ were to be sent forth to the ends of the earth. Satan is the strong man armed; but our Lord Jesus is stronger; and he shall proceed, and do all that he purposes. Christ is the good Shepherd; he shows tender care for young converts, weak believers, and those of a sorrowful spirit. By his word he requires no more service, and by his providence he inflicts no more trouble, than he will strengthen them for. May we know our Shepherd's voice, and follow him, proving ourselves his sheep.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

7. spirit of the Lord—rather, "wind of Jehovah" (Ps 103:16). The withering east wind of those countries sent by Jehovah (Jon 4:8).

the people—rather, "this people" [Lowth], which may refer to the Babylonians [Rosenmuller]; but better, mankind in general, as in Isa 42:5, so Isa 40:6, "all flesh"; this whole race, that is, man.