Isaiah 40:6

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

The voice {H6963} said {H559}, Cry {H7121}. And he said {H559}, What shall I cry {H7121}? All flesh {H1320} is grass {H2682}, and all the goodliness {H2617} thereof is as the flower {H6731} of the field {H7704}:

Complete Jewish Bible

A voice says, "Proclaim!" And I answer, "What should I proclaim?" "All humanity is merely grass, all its kindness like wildflowers:

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

The voice of one saying, Cry. And one said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 40:6 introduces a profound dialogue within the "Book of Consolation," where a divine voice commands a prophet to proclaim a message of stark contrast. The prophet's bewildered query, "What shall I cry?", is met with the foundational truth that all human existence, strength, and beauty are as fleeting and ephemeral as grass and the flower of the field. This verse serves as a crucial pivot, setting the stage for the subsequent declaration of God's eternal and unchanging Word, underscoring the transient nature of humanity against the backdrop of divine permanence and reliability.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 40:6 is situated at the very beginning of the "Book of Consolation" (chapters 40-66), marking a dramatic shift in tone from the preceding chapters (1-39), which largely focused on judgment and impending exile for Judah. Chapter 40 opens with a message of comfort and hope for God's exiled people, promising restoration and the return of the Lord's glory. The "voice" in verse 6 is part of a divine council scene, a prophetic summons to prepare the way for God's coming (as seen in [Isaiah 40:3-5](/isaiah/40-3 "Isaiah 40:3-5 - Prepare the Way of the Lord")). The question "What shall I cry?" sets up the essential message that must be proclaimed to a people weary from judgment and longing for assurance: the transient nature of all human strength and glory, a truth that will then be contrasted with the eternal Word of God in [Isaiah 40:8](/isaiah/40-8 "Isaiah 40:8 - The Enduring Word of God").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This passage is directed towards the Judean exiles in Babylon, a people who had experienced the devastating consequences of national disobedience and divine judgment. They were living in a foreign land, stripped of their temple, king, and national identity, and likely grappling with despair and questions about God's faithfulness. In the ancient Near East, the imagery of grass and flowers quickly withering was a common and powerful metaphor for the brevity of life and the fleeting nature of human strength, beauty, and accomplishments. The climate of the region, with its intense dry seasons, made this imagery particularly vivid and relatable, as lush fields could turn to parched stubble in a matter of days. This cultural understanding would have immediately resonated with the exiles, highlighting the futility of trusting in human power or earthly glory.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme introduced in this verse is the **radical transience of humanity** in contrast to the **enduring nature of God's Word**. "All flesh" encompasses all of humanity in its physical, mortal, and inherently weak state, emphasizing that human life, strength, and achievements are inherently temporary and subject to decay, much like the short-lived [grass of the field](/psalm/103-15 "Psalm 103:15 - Human life as grass"). This sets the stage for the subsequent declaration of God's eternal truth. Furthermore, the imperative "Cry!" highlights the **divine urgency of proclamation**. The message of human frailty is not merely an observation but a foundational truth that must be boldly declared to a people prone to placing their hope in temporary things. This prepares the way for the ultimate message of comfort and the steadfastness of God's promises, which are rooted in His eternal character and His [unfailing word](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes His Purpose").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Voice (Hebrew, _qôwl'_):** From an unused root meaning "to call aloud," this word signifies a sound, noise, or voice. In this context, it refers to a divine or prophetic utterance, a commanding sound that initiates the prophetic dialogue. It is the authoritative summons that sets the stage for the message to be proclaimed.
* **Cry (Hebrew, _qârâʼ'_):** A primitive root meaning "to call out to," "address by name," or "proclaim." It implies an urgent, public declaration. The repetition of this word ("Cry... What shall I cry? All flesh is grass") emphasizes the divine imperative to deliver this message with clarity and force, not merely as a quiet observation but as a public pronouncement.
* **Flesh (Hebrew, _bâsâr'_):** From its freshness, this term refers to the physical body, person, or humanity in its mortal state. It encompasses all aspects of human existence—physicality, strength, beauty, and accomplishments—emphasizing its inherent weakness, dependency, and perishable nature. Here, it is used collectively to represent all of humankind.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The voice said, Cry."**: This opening phrase establishes a divine command or prophetic summons. An authoritative "voice" (likely God's or His messenger's) issues an imperative to "Cry," demanding a public proclamation. This sets the tone for an urgent and significant message.
* **"And he said, What shall I cry?"**: This is the prophet's (or the one receiving the command's) response, indicating a moment of uncertainty or a request for clarification regarding the content of the message. It highlights the human agent's role in receiving and delivering God's word, and also serves as a rhetorical device to introduce the profound truth that follows.
* **"All flesh [is] grass,"**: This is the initial answer to the prophet's question, delivering the core message. "All flesh" refers to all humanity in its physical, mortal, and transient state. The comparison to "grass" vividly illustrates its short lifespan, its vulnerability, and its inevitable decay. Just as grass sprouts, flourishes, and then withers, so too does human life.
* **"and all the goodliness thereof [is] as the flower of the field:"**: This clause further elaborates on the fleeting nature of humanity. "Goodliness" (Hebrew: *chêçêd*) refers to human beauty, glory, strength, or splendor—anything that makes humanity seem impressive or enduring. This "goodliness" is compared to the "flower of the field," which, though beautiful and vibrant for a time, quickly fades and dies, especially under the harsh sun of the Middle East. This reinforces the message that even humanity's finest attributes are temporary.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 40:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where "all flesh" is directly compared to "grass" and "all the goodliness thereof" to "the flower of the field." This vivid imagery effectively communicates the extreme brevity and fragility of human life and accomplishments. The **Dialogue** between "the voice" and "he" (the prophet) serves as a dramatic literary technique, drawing the reader into the conversation and building anticipation for the crucial message that is about to be revealed. This rhetorical question and answer format makes the truth more impactful. Furthermore, there is an implied **Contrast** that is fully developed in subsequent verses (especially [Isaiah 40:8](/isaiah/40-8 "Isaiah 40:8 - The Enduring Word of God")). While not explicitly stated in verse 6, the emphasis on human transience inherently sets up a stark opposition to the enduring, eternal nature of God and His Word, creating a powerful theological tension that the rest of the chapter resolves.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 40:6 lays a foundational theological truth: the radical impermanence of all human existence and endeavor. This truth is not meant to induce despair, but to reorient human hope and trust. By highlighting the fleeting nature of "flesh" and its "goodliness," the prophet prepares the audience to appreciate the eternal and unchanging nature of God and His promises. This verse serves as a crucial prerequisite for understanding the comfort and assurance that God's Word, unlike human life, stands forever. It calls humanity to humility, recognizing that all earthly glory is temporary, and points towards the necessity of anchoring one's hope in something beyond the ephemeral.

* [Psalm 103:15-16](/psalm/103-15 "Psalm 103:15-16 - Human Frailty and God's Enduring Love")
* [James 1:10-11](/james/1-10 "James 1:10-11 - The Rich Man Fades Like a Flower")
* [1 Peter 1:24-25](/1_peter/1-24 "1 Peter 1:24-25 - All Flesh is Grass, But the Word of the Lord Endures Forever")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 40:6 offers a sobering yet liberating truth for contemporary believers. In a world obsessed with fleeting achievements, physical appearance, and material accumulation, this verse serves as a powerful corrective. It calls us to cultivate a profound sense of humility, recognizing that our lives, our strengths, our beauty, and our earthly successes are all temporary. This perspective frees us from the relentless pursuit of what will inevitably fade and redirects our focus toward what truly endures. It compels us to invest our time, energy, and affections in eternal realities—our relationship with God, the proclamation of His truth, and the building of His eternal kingdom. Understanding the brevity of "all flesh" should ignite within us a greater urgency to live purposefully, to share the enduring hope of the Gospel, and to fix our gaze on the unshakeable promises of God rather than the unstable foundations of this world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you most prone to placing your trust in "flesh" or "goodliness" that will ultimately fade?**
* **How does the transient nature of human life motivate you to live differently for God's eternal purposes?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to shift your focus from temporary earthly pursuits to investing in eternal realities?**
* **How does the knowledge of human impermanence deepen your appreciation for the steadfastness and reliability of God's Word?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of comparing "all flesh" to "grass" and "flowers"?**

Answer: The comparison of "all flesh" (humanity) to "grass" and "the flower of the field" is a common biblical metaphor emphasizing the extreme brevity, fragility, and impermanence of human life and all its accomplishments. In the ancient Near East, grass and wildflowers would sprout quickly after rains but would just as quickly wither and die under the intense sun or dry winds. This imagery vividly conveys that human existence, strength, beauty, and glory are temporary and fleeting, subject to decay and death, in stark contrast to the eternal and unchanging nature of God and His Word, which is explicitly stated in [Isaiah 40:8](/isaiah/40-8 "Isaiah 40:8 - The Enduring Word of God").

**Who is "the voice" and "he" in this verse?**

Answer: "The voice" is generally understood to be a divine voice, possibly God Himself, or a heavenly messenger from His divine council, issuing a command. This aligns with the opening of Isaiah 40, which features divine pronouncements of comfort. "He" is most commonly interpreted as the prophet Isaiah himself, or a prophetic figure representing the one commissioned to deliver God's message. The dialogue between the commanding "voice" and the questioning "he" serves as a literary device to introduce the profound truth about human transience that must be proclaimed. This dynamic highlights the divine origin and human transmission of God's prophetic word, as seen in other prophetic calls like [Jeremiah 1:4-9](/jeremiah/1-4 "Jeremiah 1:4-9 - Jeremiah's Call and Commission").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 40:6, with its stark declaration of human transience, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While "all flesh is grass," Jesus is the eternal Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the embodiment of God's enduring truth that "shall stand for ever" ([Isaiah 40:8](/isaiah/40-8 "Isaiah 40:8 - The Enduring Word of God")). Our human "goodliness" fades, but Christ is the "radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory")), whose glory is eternal and unfading. The fleeting nature of human life underscores our desperate need for a lasting hope, which is found only in Christ, who conquered death and offers eternal life. As [1 Peter 1:23-25](/1_peter/1-23 "1 Peter 1:23-25 - Born Again Through the Living and Abiding Word of God") directly quotes Isaiah 40:6-8, it emphasizes that believers are "born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God." This imperishable seed is the Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, who is Himself the living Word ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - In the Beginning Was the Word")) and the source of all true and lasting life. Thus, what fades in humanity is eternally secured in Christ, our unshakeable foundation and the very essence of God's enduring promise.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 103:15

[As for] man, his days [are] as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

Psalms 103:16

For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

1 Peter 1:24

¶ For all flesh [is] as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

1 Peter 1:25

But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

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 withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

Psalms 102:11

My days [are] like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.