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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God isn't just talking about their physical weakness here; He's emphasizing their utter powerlessness, comparing them to grass so vulnerable it withers before it even has a chance to grow. This shows how completely God can dismantle a nation's pride and strength, leaving them utterly exposed and without hope.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
King Hezekiah has just received a terrifying ultimatum from the Assyrian king, Sennacherib, who is threatening to destroy Jerusalem. This passage is part of God's response to Hezekiah's prayer, describing the utter helplessness of those who oppose God's people and His plans. God contrasts His own power with the complete devastation that will befall the Assyrian army, leaving them weakened and utterly defeated.
Ever feel like your struggles are tiny, insignificant things? This verse paints a powerful picture of how God sees the forces that oppose Him and His people.
The Frailty of Opposition
Look at how God describes the enemies who threaten Jerusalem and Judah in 2 Kings 19. He compares them to:
What's more, this grass is "blighted before it is grown." It never even reaches maturity or strength. This isn't a picture of a mighty army; it's a depiction of utter weakness and premature defeat. God is highlighting that the very powers that seem so threatening are, in His eyes, fundamentally powerless and destined to wither away.
Why would God describe His enemies this way? It's not just poetic; it's a declaration of His sovereign control and purpose.
The Purpose Behind the Picture
This imagery isn't accidental. It serves a divine purpose:
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Understand the original words
chathath · Hebrew Verb
A state of intense emotional distress, panic, or terror, often resulting from experiencing God's judgment or realizing one's own impotence before Him.
bush · Hebrew Verb
In a theological context, this refers to being put to shame, silenced, or rendered ineffective through divine opposition, leaving the individual or nation without defense.
This verse vividly portrays the intended fate of cities conquered by the mighty Assyrian empire – they were meant to be utterly demoralized and rendered as insignificant as withered grass, emphasizing the terrifying power of the invading forces and the miracle of Jerusalem's deliverance.
c. 732 BC
Assyrian Conquest of Israel
Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, deports many of its inhabitants, and sets up puppet rulers. This event weakens the northern kingdom and isolates Judah.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
Sargon II of Assyria completes the conquest of the northern Kingdom of Israel, destroying its capital Samaria and exiling its remaining population. This event marks the end of the northern kingdom.
c. 705 BC
Hezekiah's Rebellion Begins
Hezekiah, king of Judah, refuses to pay tribute to Assyria after the death of its powerful king Sargon II, instead seeking alliances with Egypt. This defiance sets the stage for Assyrian retaliation.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Sennacherib Invades Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria launches a massive military campaign into the Levant, crushing rebellious states and besieging numerous fortified cities in Judah. Hezekiah is trapped in Jerusalem.
c. 701 BC
Siege of Jerusalem
Sennacherib's Assyrian army surrounds Jerusalem, threatening its complete destruction. The prophet Isaiah delivers messages of hope and defiance from God to King Hezekiah.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Withdrawal from Jerusalem
For reasons debated by scholars (plague, tribute, or other political issues), Sennacherib unexpectedly withdraws his army from Jerusalem before conquering it. Hezekiah and Jerusalem are spared.
This passage vividly describes how the wicked, like the people in 2 Kings 19, are easily destroyed and quickly forgotten, comparing them to plants that wither before they can even take root.
Psalm 37:2Like the ephemeral grass described in 2 Kings, this psalm assures us that those who do evil will also 'wither like the green grass' and fade away.
Isaiah 40:7This verse echoes the same theme of transience, stating that 'the grass withers, the flower fades' to illustrate the fleeting nature of human pride and power when contrasted with God's enduring word.
Hosea 6:4This passage questions the people's faithfulness, comparing their loyalty to something as unreliable and short-lived as the morning dew and the grass that quickly withers away.
God isn't just talking about their physical weakness here; He's emphasizing their utter powerlessness, comparing them to grass so vulnerable it withers before it even has a chance to grow. This shows how completely God can dismantle a nation's pride and strength, leaving them utterly exposed and without hope.
King Hezekiah has just received a terrifying ultimatum from the Assyrian king, Sennacherib, who is threatening to destroy Jerusalem. This passage is part of God's response to Hezekiah's prayer, describing the utter helplessness of those who oppose God's people and His plans. God contrasts His own power with the complete devastation that will befall the Assyrian army, leaving them weakened and utterly defeated.
King Hezekiah has just received a terrifying ultimatum from the Assyrian king, Sennacherib, who is threatening to destroy Jerusalem. This passage is part of God's response to Hezekiah's prayer, describing the utter helplessness of those who oppose God's people and His plans. God contrasts His own power with the complete devastation that will befall the Assyrian army, leaving them weakened and utterly defeated.
"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." — God isn't just talking about their physical weakness here; He's emphasizing their utter powerlessness, comparing them to grass so vulnerable it withers before it even has a chance to grow. This sho…
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Last reviewed October 2026