The most striking thing here is the prophet's candid question, "What shall I cry?" This isn't just rhetorical; it reveals the prophet's reliance on God's direction, showing that even commissioned messengers need clarity on God's specific message. It highlights that our purpose, like the prophet's, is to speak what God says, not simply to speak.
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 grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
English Standard Version (ESV)
A voice calls out, commanding a proclamation, to which a prophet responds by asking what message to deliver. This sets up a profound contrast: the transient nature of all humanity, like grass and its fading flowers, is juxtaposed with the enduring faithfulness of God's promises, which will be fulfilled. This declaration serves to underscore the reliability of God's word amidst human frailty.
Imagine a direct command from God: 'Cry out!' What would be your first thought? For Isaiah, it was a profound question about the message itself.
The verse opens with a divine command, "A voice says, 'Cry!'" This isn't just a casual suggestion; it's a powerful directive from God to His messenger. The immediate response, "And I said, 'What shall I cry?'", reveals the prophet's honest humility and reliance on God for his message. He doesn't presume to know what to say. Instead, he waits for divine instruction. This dynamic highlights that prophetic ministry, and indeed any ministry, is not about human eloquence or invention, but about faithfully relaying God's word. The message isn't to be manufactured by the prophet, but received from the divine source.
This exchange underscores a crucial truth: God's word is meant to be proclaimed, but it must first be understood and received by the messenger. The prophet's question isn't a sign of doubt, but a posture of dependence. It sets the stage for the profound truth that follows, grounding the message in divine authority rather than human opinion.
We're often drawn to the dazzling beauty and achievements of the world. But what does Scripture say about their true substance?
The core of the message is stark and beautiful: "All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field." This is a profound metaphor for the transient nature of human existence and all that we value in it.
The Frailty of Humanity
'All flesh' refers to all of humanity – every person, regardless of status, power, or achievement. We are like grass, which springs up quickly but is easily withered by the sun or cut down. Our lives, our strength, our very bodies are temporary.
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The Passing Glory
'All its beauty' points to everything that makes humanity seem glorious: our accomplishments, our art, our kingdoms, our physical attractiveness, our wisdom. The imagery of the 'flower of the field' captures this perfectly. Flowers are stunning, vibrant, and captivating, but their bloom is fleeting. A single hot day, a strong wind, or a careless footstep can end their splendor. This is a powerful reminder that earthly glory is temporary and fragile.
This contrast isn't meant to be depressing, but rather to orient our perspective. When we grasp the temporary nature of earthly things, we are better positioned to appreciate what is eternal.
If everything about us and our world is temporary, where can we find a foundation that will never crumble?
While the first part of the message highlights the transience of humanity, the unspoken counterpart – and the reason for the prophet's message – is the enduring nature of God and His Word. Though not explicitly stated in this verse, the surrounding context of Isaiah 40 makes this contrast clear.
The Contrast:
Why This Matters:
This contrast is crucial for those in exile. It means that the circumstances of their captivity, as bleak as they are, are also temporary. The power of Babylon, though immense, is like grass that will be cut down. But God's promise to restore His people – His Word – is eternal and will surely be fulfilled. This truth shifts focus from the fading glories of the present to the sure promises of God for the future.
This message, as Peter points out, extends beyond the Babylonian exile to the ultimate salvation offered through the Gospel. The 'word of the Lord' endures forever, providing a hope that outlasts any earthly season.
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.
dābār · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the revealed truth, command, or divine utterance of God. It represents God's active, unchanging power to bring His purposes to pass.
This passage was given during the Babylonian exile, a time when Jerusalem lay in ruins and God's people felt utterly defeated. The prophet Isaiah reminds them that while human power and glory are fleeting like grass, God's Word and promises are eternal and will ultimately prevail.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, exiling many of its citizens. This event highlighted the vulnerability of Israel's political and military power.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah and begins deporting skilled Israelites, including Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the start of the Babylonian exile.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar deports more Judeans and King Jehoiachin to Babylon. This further solidifies Judah's subjugation.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its sacred Temple, exiling the remaining population of Judah to Babylon. This is the nadir of Judah's national and religious life.
c. 550 BC
Rise of Cyrus the Great
Cyrus the Great unites the Medes and Persians, creating a powerful empire that would soon challenge Babylon. His eventual conquest would offer hope for the exiles.
539 BC
Cyrus Conquers Babylon
Cyrus the Great captures Babylon, ushering in the Persian period. This conquest paves the way for the eventual return of the Jewish exiles.
This passage echoes the imagery of grass and the fleeting nature of human life, highlighting the profound contrast between humanity's transience and God's eternal presence, which is central to Isaiah's proclamation.
Psalm 103:15-16Similar to Isaiah, this psalm emphasizes the brevity of human life, comparing it to grass and a flower that quickly withers, underscoring the theme of human frailty against God's enduring faithfulness.
James 1:10-11This New Testament passage directly draws from the imagery of Isaiah, using the wilting grass and fading flower to illustrate the ephemeral nature of human wealth and glory, in contrast to God's lasting truth.
1 Peter 1:24-25The Apostle Peter explicitly quotes this verse from Isaiah, applying it to the proclamation of the Gospel, thereby revealing a deeper spiritual fulfillment of Isaiah's message about the eternal nature of God's word versus the temporary nature of human existence.
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 most striking thing here is the prophet's candid question, "What shall I cry?" This isn't just rhetorical; it reveals the prophet's reliance on God's direction, showing that even commissioned messengers need clarity on God's specific message. It highlights that our purpose, like the prophet's, is to speak what God says, not simply to speak.
A voice calls out, commanding a proclamation, to which a prophet responds by asking what message to deliver. This sets up a profound contrast: the transient nature of all humanity, like grass and its fading flowers, is juxtaposed with the enduring faithfulness of God's promises, which will be fulfilled. This declaration serves to underscore the reliability of God's word amidst human frailty.
A voice calls out, commanding a proclamation, to which a prophet responds by asking what message to deliver. This sets up a profound contrast: the transient nature of all humanity, like grass and its fading flowers, is juxtaposed with the enduring faithfulness of God's promises, which will be fulfilled. This declaration serves to underscore the reliability of God's word amidst human frailty.
"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 grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; s…" — The most striking thing here is the prophet's candid question, "What shall I cry?" This isn't just rhetorical; it reveals the prophet's reliance on God's direction, showing that even commissioned mes…
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Last reviewed October 2026
