Isaiah 40:7

"The voice of one saying, “Cry out!” One said, “What shall I cry?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory is like the flower of the field."

Key Reflection

Isaiah 40:7 uses a vivid metaphor to underscore the transience and impermanence of human life. It likens "all flesh" (humankind) to grass, which grows quickly and then withers away, and "the glory of all its beauty" to flowers in the field, which similarly flourish briefly before fading. This imagery draws on a common cultural understanding that highlights how fleeting human achievements and existence are compared to the natural cycles of growth and decay observed in nature. The verse serves as a powerful reminder of humanity's mortality and points towards the enduring presence and power of God amidst such transience.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

The grass withereth -Soon withers. Its beauty is soon gone. The flower fadeth -Soon fades; or fades when the wind of Yahweh passes over it. So is also with man. He loses his vigor, and dies at once when Yahweh takes away his strength and beauty. Because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it -This should be rendered, undoubtedly, ‘When the wind of Yahweh bloweth upon it.’ The word ‘spirit’ here does not suit the connection, and does not express the idea of the prophet. The wordרוחrûachmeans, properly, “breath” - a breathing, or blowing; and is often used indeed to denote spirit, soul, life. But it often means a breath of wind; a breeze; air in motionJob 41:8;Jeremiah 2:24;Jeremiah 14:6.

Related Verses

Job 30:15

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