A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet's question, "What shall I cry?", isn't about lacking a message, but about recognizing the inadequacy of anything he could say to grasp the divine truth. The profound insight here is that the contrast isn't just between temporary humanity and eternal God, but between human "beauty" or "goodliness" – our perceived best, our accomplishments, our very glory – and the enduring reality of God's word.
A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.
English Standard Version (ESV)
A voice from God commands a prophet to "cry out," and the prophet asks what message to proclaim. The response highlights the fleeting nature of humanity – all people are like grass that quickly withers and their beauty fades like field flowers. This sets the stage for contrasting human frailty with the eternal, enduring word and power of God, which will be revealed in His promises of restoration and salvation.
Imagine hearing a powerful voice tell you to 'Cry out!' What would you say? This passage captures that moment of divine instruction and human response.
The passage begins with a clear, almost abrupt command: "Cry!" This isn't just a suggestion; it's a divine imperative. But who is speaking, and who is being addressed? The context suggests a voice from God calling out to the prophet, or perhaps to all prophets and messengers. The prophet’s immediate question, "What shall I cry?" reveals a dependence on God’s direction. It shows that true prophecy isn't about human invention, but about faithfully relaying God's message. This dynamic highlights a crucial aspect of ministry and discipleship: we are called to speak, but we must first listen and ask for the specific word God wants us to share.
We often feel so permanent, so strong. But this verse uses a stark image to remind us of our true condition.
The answer to 'What shall I cry?' is profound and humbling: 'All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.' This isn't just poetry; it's a theological declaration about the nature of humanity apart from God. 'Flesh' here represents all of humanity – every person, every nation, every institution. 'Grass' and 'flowers' are metaphors for their transience, their vulnerability, and their inevitable decay. Their beauty, their strength, their achievements – all fade. This imagery is repeated throughout Scripture to caution against placing ultimate trust in human power, wisdom, or glory. It's a call to recognize our limitations and our dependence on something eternal.
Ask a follow-up
In a world obsessed with lasting legacy and earthly achievements, what truly stands the test of time?
The profound contrast presented here is between the temporary nature of all human endeavors ('grass' and 'flowers') and the permanence of God’s message. While human beauty fades and strength collapses, God’s word is declared to be everlasting. This is powerfully echoed in the New Testament, where Peter applies this very passage to the enduring nature of the Gospel. The 'glory' or 'beauty' of humanity, and even the Old Covenant, is temporary. But the Word of the Lord – God’s promises, His truth, and ultimately His Son, Jesus Christ – endures forever. This is the ultimate comfort and hope for God’s people: amidst the decay and change of the world, God’s promises are a solid foundation, and His message of salvation is eternally relevant.
Understand the original words
bāśār · Hebrew Noun
Refers to humanity in its entirety, emphasizing its frailty, mortality, and dependence upon God. It contrasts the temporary nature of human life with the eternal nature of God.
This verse calls the prophet to declare the utter transience of human power and glory, contrasting it with the eternal Word of God. This message is profoundly relevant to the exiles in Babylon, who had witnessed the fall of their own kingdom and now saw the rise of a new empire, highlighting that true hope rests not in shifting political powers but in God's enduring promises.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah, capturing many cities and besieging Jerusalem. This event would have deeply impacted the people's sense of security and God's promises.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon deports King Jehoiachin and many prominent citizens to Babylon, marking the beginning of the Jewish exile.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Babylonian forces destroy Jerusalem and its sacred Temple, ending the Davidic monarchy and scattering the remaining population into exile.
c. 550 BC
Rise of Cyrus the Great
Cyrus the Great, a Persian king, begins his conquests, eventually leading to the fall of the Babylonian Empire. His rise signals a potential shift in geopolitical power.
539 BC— this verse
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, ushering in the Persian Empire. This event directly sets the stage for the eventual decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return home.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus and Return of Exiles
Cyrus issues a decree permitting the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This marks the end of the Babylonian exile and the beginning of the restoration period.
This passage reflects on the fleeting nature of human life, comparing it to grass and flowers, directly paralleling Isaiah's imagery and emphasizing the transience of all earthly existence.
Psalm 103:15-16Here, we see a similar use of the 'grass' and 'flower' metaphor to describe the brevity of human life and the ephemeral nature of its glory, reinforcing the theme of human frailty against a divine backdrop.
James 1:10-11The New Testament echoes this sentiment, directly comparing human glory and wealth to the fading flower of the field, underscoring the biblical emphasis on the temporary nature of earthly possessions and status.
1 Peter 1:24-25This New Testament passage explicitly quotes Isaiah 40:6-7, drawing a direct line between the fading 'grass' of humanity and the enduring 'word of the Lord,' applying it to the everlasting nature of the Gospel message.
John 3:6Jesus speaks of being 'born of the Spirit,' contrasting the 'flesh' and 'spirit' in a way that aligns with Isaiah's distinction between the transient nature of all humanity ('flesh') and the eternal reality of God's word and kingdom.
cambridgeIsaiah 40:6: "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:"
6 . The voice said, Cry ] Render (as before) Hark! one saying, Cry . “Cry” here evidently means “prophesy” as in Isaiah 40:2 , ch. Isaiah 44:7 , Isaiah 61:1 f.; Jeremiah 7:27 . Hence the response, and one said (R.V.) will naturally come from a prophet, the call being from the same quarter as in Isaiah 40:3 . There is no need to suppose that an idea…
clarkeIsaiah 40:6: "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:"
The voice saint Cry "A voice saith Proclaim" - To understand rightly this passage is a matter of importance; for it seems designed to give us the true key to the remaining part of Isaiah's prophecies, the general subject of which is the restoration of the people and Church of God. The prophet opens the subject with great clearness and elegance: he…
The prophet's question, "What shall I cry?", isn't about lacking a message, but about recognizing the inadequacy of anything he could say to grasp the divine truth. The profound insight here is that the contrast isn't just between temporary humanity and eternal God, but between human "beauty" or "goodliness" – our perceived best, our accomplishments, our very glory – and the enduring reality of God's word.
A voice from God commands a prophet to "cry out," and the prophet asks what message to proclaim. The response highlights the fleeting nature of humanity – all people are like grass that quickly withers and their beauty fades like field flowers. This sets the stage for contrasting human frailty with the eternal, enduring word and power of God, which will be revealed in His promises of restoration and salvation.
A voice from God commands a prophet to "cry out," and the prophet asks what message to proclaim. The response highlights the fleeting nature of humanity – all people are like grass that quickly withers and their beauty fades like field flowers. This sets the stage for contrasting human frailty with the eternal, enduring word and power of God, which will be revealed in His promises of restoration and salvation.
"A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field." — The prophet's question, "What shall I cry?", isn't about lacking a message, but about recognizing the inadequacy of anything he could say to grasp the divine truth. The profound insight here is tha…
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Last reviewed October 2026