Isaiah 40:7

KJV

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people [is] grass.

KJV (with Strong's)

The grass {H2682} withereth {H3001}, the flower {H6731} fadeth {H5034}: because the spirit {H7307} of the LORD {H3068} bloweth {H5380} upon it: surely {H403} the people {H5971} is grass {H2682}.

Complete Jewish Bible

the grass dries up, the flower fades, when a wind from ADONAI blows on it. Surely the people are grass!

Berean Standard Bible

The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 40:7 profoundly illustrates the inherent fragility and transience of human existence through the vivid imagery of perishing vegetation. It declares that just as grass and flowers swiftly wither and fade under the powerful breath of the Lord, so too are all people inherently mortal and fleeting. This stark contrast between the ephemeral nature of humanity and the enduring, sovereign power of God establishes a foundational truth in the "Book of Comfort," preparing the way for the subsequent declaration of God's eternal word and a message of divine faithfulness and lasting hope for His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 40:7 is a pivotal component of the majestic opening of Isaiah's "Book of Comfort" (chapters 40-66), marking a significant shift from prophecies of judgment to a soaring message of hope, restoration, and divine sovereignty for exiled Israel. The preceding verses set a dramatic scene: a voice cries out, urging the preparation of [the way of the LORD in the wilderness](/isaiah/40-3 "Isaiah 40:3 - Prepare the Way of the Lord"), followed by another voice questioning, "What shall I cry?" ([Isaiah 40:6](/isaiah/40-6 "Isaiah 40:6 - The Voice Cries Out")). The immediate answer, "All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field" ([Isaiah 40:6](/isaiah/40-6 "Isaiah 40:6 - All Flesh is Grass")), introduces the central metaphor. Verse 7 then elaborates on the *reason* for this fading, attributing it directly to the "spirit of the LORD" blowing upon it, thereby reinforcing God's absolute sovereignty over all creation and human life. This declaration serves as a crucial theological bridge, setting up the powerful contrast with God's enduring word in [Isaiah 40:8](/isaiah/40-8 "Isaiah 40:8 - The Word of Our God Stands Forever"), which promises an eternal foundation amidst human impermanence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for Isaiah 40 is the Babylonian exile, a period of profound despair, displacement, and national humiliation for the people of Judah. Stripped of their land, temple, and monarchy, they felt abandoned by God. In this context, the imagery of grass and flowers was deeply resonant with an agrarian society intimately familiar with the seasonal cycles of vegetation. The Near East's hot, dry winds, such as the *sirocco*, could rapidly parch and wither even lush growth, making the metaphor of life fading under a divine "breath" or "wind" particularly vivid and impactful. This served as a humbling reminder of human vulnerability and dependence in the face of overwhelming national catastrophe. Yet, it simultaneously prepared them for a message of comfort rooted in God's unchanging character, a stark contrast to the fleeting empires of their oppressors and their own transient existence.
* **Key Themes:** The paramount theme in [Isaiah 40](/isaiah/40 "Isaiah 40 - The Book of Comfort Begins"), and particularly in verse 7, is the profound **transience of human life** juxtaposed with the **eternal permanence and omnipotence of God**. Humanity, in all its strength, beauty, and glory, is likened to fragile vegetation that quickly perishes. This theme serves to humble the people, reminding them that their ultimate hope cannot be anchored in human might, worldly glory, or political stability, all of which are subject to decay and divine judgment. Conversely, the verse powerfully emphasizes the **absolute sovereignty of God**, whose "spirit" or "wind" is the direct agent of this decay, demonstrating His supreme control over all life and death. This divine power, though here depicted in a humbling light, is ultimately the very basis for the comfort and restoration promised throughout the remainder of [Isaiah's prophecy](/isaiah/40 "Isaiah 40 - The Book of Comfort Begins"), as it implies that the same God who can wither can also revive, sustain, and fulfill His everlasting promises.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **grass (Hebrew, _châtsîyr'_):** This term refers to green herbage, commonly found in fields or courtyards. In this context, it symbolizes the common, ubiquitous, and rapidly growing, yet equally rapidly perishing, plant life. Its use here underscores the universal and fleeting nature of human existence, highlighting its inherent fragility and lack of lasting permanence.
* **withereth (Hebrew, _yâbêsh'_):** A primitive root meaning "to dry up" or "wither," often applied to water or herbage. It conveys the idea of decay, loss of vitality, and eventual death. When used for grass and flowers, it vividly depicts the process of decline and disappearance, emphasizing the inevitable end of all earthly life and glory, underscoring the impermanence of human strength and beauty.
* **spirit (Hebrew, _rûwach'_):** This multifaceted word can mean "wind," "breath," or "spirit." In the phrase "the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it," the imagery strongly suggests a powerful, often drying or destructive, wind. This highlights God's active involvement in the natural processes of decay and mortality, implying that even a mere "breath" from God is sufficient to demonstrate the utter weakness and temporary nature of all human strength and beauty. It is the divine agency that directly brings about the fading.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth:"** This opening clause establishes the primary metaphor, drawing a direct and observable parallel between the natural phenomenon of vegetation dying and the human condition. It speaks to the universal experience of decay and impermanence, setting a somber tone that contrasts sharply with any human pretensions of lasting strength, beauty, or achievement. It underscores the fragility inherent in all created life.
* **"because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it:"** This crucial clause provides the divine explanation for the observed fading. It attributes the natural process of decay not to mere chance, environmental factors, or the passage of time alone, but directly to the active agency of God. The "spirit of the LORD" (or "wind of the LORD") is depicted as a powerful, irresistible force that brings about the withering. This asserts God's absolute sovereignty over life and death, demonstrating that even the most vibrant life is utterly dependent on His will and can be extinguished by His mere "breath."
* **"surely the people [is] grass."** This concluding declaration explicitly applies the metaphor to humanity, removing any ambiguity and making the theological point undeniable. The word "surely" (Hebrew, _ʼâkên'_) emphasizes the certainty and undeniable truth of the statement. It is a stark pronouncement that all people, regardless of their status, power, or beauty, share the same ephemeral nature as grass. Their existence is brief, fragile, and entirely subject to the divine will, reinforcing the theme of human transience in the face of divine permanence.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 40:7 is rich in literary devices that amplify its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where human life is directly equated with "grass" and "flower." This comparison vividly conveys the ideas of fragility, brevity, and ultimate decay, making an abstract theological truth tangible and relatable. The natural process of vegetation withering under the sun or wind serves as a powerful analogy for the inevitable mortality of all humanity. Furthermore, the verse employs **Personification** by attributing the action of "blowing" to the "spirit of the LORD," giving a divine, active agent to the process of decay. This is not a passive fading but an active act initiated by God, demonstrating His direct involvement in the natural world. The entire verse also functions as a powerful **Juxtaposition**, setting up a dramatic contrast between the fleeting nature of "grass" (humanity) and the enduring power and permanence of the "LORD" (God), whose "spirit" initiates the fading. This contrast is then further developed in the subsequent verse, highlighting the eternal nature of God's word.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 40:7 encapsulates a fundamental biblical truth concerning the profound disparity between human transience and divine eternity. It serves as a theological anchor, reminding humanity of its creaturely limitations, its inherent frailty, and its absolute dependence on the Creator. This humbling truth is not intended to induce despair but rather to reorient human trust and hope from fleeting earthly glories to the unchanging character and unfailing promises of God. The verse’s assertion of God’s active, sovereign role in the withering process underscores His absolute control over life and death, preparing the reader for the subsequent declaration of His enduring word, which alone provides lasting hope, stability, and an eternal foundation in a world perpetually marked by decay.

* [Psalm 90:5-6](/psalms/90-5-6 "Psalm 90:5-6 - Humanity's Fleeting Days")
* [Psalm 103:15-16](/psalms/103-15-16 "Psalm 103:15-16 - Man's Life as a Flower")
* [1 Peter 1:24-25](/1_peter/1-24-25 "1 Peter 1:24-25 - All Flesh is Grass, The Word Endures")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 40:7 presents a profound and sobering truth that challenges our often-human-centric perspectives and the illusions of permanence we tend to build for ourselves. In a world that frequently prioritizes fleeting achievements, physical beauty, material wealth, or social status, this verse serves as a powerful call to humility and a radical re-evaluation of what truly endures. It reminds us that all human endeavors, no matter how grand, are subject to the same inevitable decay as the grass and flowers of the field. This understanding should cultivate a deep sense of dependence on God, shifting our ultimate hope and trust from the temporary to the eternal. Rather than striving for worldly glory that will surely fade, we are invited to invest our lives in that which is permanent: God Himself and His unchanging word. This perspective liberates us from the anxiety of chasing ephemeral successes and redirects our energy toward living lives that honor the One who alone is eternal, finding true security, profound meaning, and lasting purpose in His everlasting truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of "grass" and "flower" challenge your perceptions of human achievement, beauty, and success?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be placing too much trust or hope in temporary things rather than in God's enduring nature?**
* **How does understanding human transience impact your sense of urgency to live for God's eternal purposes and to share His lasting truth?**
* **If human life is so fleeting, what then is the ultimate source of true meaning, lasting hope, and genuine security?**

### FAQ
**Does "the spirit of the LORD" refer to the Holy Spirit, or simply a powerful wind?**

Answer: In Isaiah 40:7, the Hebrew word *rûwach* (spirit) is best understood as a powerful wind or breath emanating from the LORD, rather than the life-giving Holy Spirit in the New Testament sense. The immediate context emphasizes the drying, withering effect, which aligns perfectly with the imagery of a scorching desert wind (like the *sirocco*) that quickly destroys vegetation. While *rûwach* can certainly refer to God's Spirit elsewhere (e.g., [Genesis 1:2](/genesis/1-2 "Genesis 1:2 - The Spirit of God Hovering")), here it functions as a vivid demonstration of God's sovereign power over creation, causing the ephemeral nature of humanity to be revealed. It underscores that even a mere "breath" or "wind" from God is sufficient to bring about the end of human strength and glory, thereby highlighting His immense power in contrast to human frailty.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 40:7, with its stark declaration of human transience and the fleeting nature of all flesh, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who embodies the eternal Word of God. While "all flesh is grass" and destined to wither and decay, Jesus is the [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), the very embodiment of that "word of our God [that] shall stand for ever" ([Isaiah 40:8](/isaiah/40-8 "Isaiah 40:8 - The Word of Our God Stands Forever")). He came into a world marked by death and decay not to succumb to it, but to offer a life that transcends the limitations of the flesh—[eternal life](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World") to all who believe. Through His sacrificial death on the cross and His glorious resurrection, Jesus conquered the very mortality that defines humanity as "grass," offering a new, imperishable life to all who are united with Him ([1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3-4 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - A Living Hope Through Resurrection")). He is the ultimate, enduring reality in a world of fleeting shadows, the one in whom believers find an everlasting foundation, an unfading glory, and a hope that will never wither or fade, unlike the grass and flowers of this temporal world.

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

Job 41:21

His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.