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)
The verse calls the "spirit of the LORD" a "breath" or "wind" that can powerfully and destructively scorch life, not just a gentle breeze. This emphasizes that God's power, when directed towards judgment or the exposure of human frailty, is an unstoppable force, much like a scorching wind that quickly withers everything in its path.
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)
After declaring that all humanity is like grass and its glory like a fading flower, Isaiah immediately illustrates this point by comparing the ephemeral nature of vegetation to the perishability of people. This vivid image, driven by the powerful breath or wind of the Lord, underscores the fleetingness of all human life and strength. The verse emphasizes that just as a scorching wind can quickly wither a field, so too can God's power bring about the swift end of human existence.
Why compare people to grass and flowers? It's not just about being delicate; it's about facing a powerful force that brings about their end.
The prophet Isaiah uses a powerful, relatable image here: the parched earth of the Near East. The 'breath of the LORD' isn't a gentle spring shower. It refers to a powerful, often scorching wind, like the Sirocco.
A Devastating Force
This wind, sent by God, has the immediate effect of withering and fading even the most vibrant life. It symbolizes God's judgment and power to bring down even the mightiest.
Not Just Israel
While prophets often spoke of judgment on Israel, here the scope is broader. 'The people' likely refers to humanity in general, or specifically the oppressive enemies of God's people, like Babylon. Their strength and perceived permanence are nothing against God's sovereign power.
We often build empires, plan for the future, and feel quite permanent. But Scripture paints a starkly different picture of our existence.
The startling conclusion Isaiah draws is simple: 'surely the people are grass.' This isn't just a poetic flourish; it's a profound statement about the nature of human life.
All Flesh is Like Grass
Whether it's kings or commoners, mighty empires or humble villages, all of humanity shares this characteristic of frailty. Our strength, our beauty, our achievements – they all fade. Like grass that is here today and cut down tomorrow, our time is limited and vulnerable.
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A Contrast to God's Word
This emphasis on human transience isn't meant to leave us in despair. It serves as a crucial setup for what Isaiah will proclaim next: that while all flesh fades, the Word of our God stands forever. This contrast highlights the reliability and permanence of God amidst the instability of human existence.
Understand the original words
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.
The prophet Isaiah speaks these words during or shortly after the devastation of Jerusalem and the exile to Babylon. The vivid imagery of grass withering under a harsh wind powerfully reflects the sense of utter desolation and the perceived finality of their national collapse.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Dominance over Judah
Isaiah prophesied during a time when the powerful Assyrian Empire exerted significant influence and military pressure on the Kingdom of Judah. This context of looming foreign power and potential destruction shapes his message.
c. 701 BC
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded Judah, conquering many fortified cities and besieging Jerusalem. This invasion highlighted the vulnerability of Judah and its people.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation of Judah
The Neo-Babylonian Empire, under Nebuchadnezzar II, began its campaigns against Judah, leading to the first wave of exiles, including members of the royal family and intelligentsia.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar's forces destroyed Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, the heart of Jewish worship and identity. This catastrophic event led to the mass exile of the remaining population to Babylon.
c. 550-539 BC
Babylonian Exile
The Judean people lived in exile in Babylon, stripped of their homeland and national sovereignty. This period of displacement and despair deeply impacted their understanding of God and His promises.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian king Cyrus the Great overthrew the Babylonian Empire. This conquest ushered in a new era and eventually led to the decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Judah.
This passage directly echoes the imagery of Isaiah, comparing human life to grass that withers and flowers that fade, emphasizing the fleeting nature of our existence under God's sovereignty.
James 1:10This New Testament verse reinforces the Old Testament theme by stating that the rich should exalt in their humiliation, for they will fade away 'like a flower of the field,' directly linking human pride and prosperity to the same transient imagery found in Isaiah.
1 Peter 1:24This verse explicitly quotes Isaiah 40:6-7, 'For 'all flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of the field; the grass withers, and the flower falls,' driving home the point that human glory is temporary, unlike God's enduring word.
Hosea 13:15This passage describes a devastating, scorching wind that will blight the fields and wither the crops, serving as a powerful, concrete example of the destructive 'breath of the Lord' that can cause all life and glory to fade, just as Isaiah depicts.
cambridgeIsaiah 40:7: "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass."
7 . the spirit of the Lord ] Better as R.V. the breath of the LORD , i.e. the wind ( Psalm 103:16 ), specially the scorching east-wind ( Hosea 13:15 ) or Sirocco, which blows chiefly in the spring, blighting the fresh vegetation (see Smith, Hist. Geog. of Palestine , pp. 67 ff.). surely the people is grass ] “The people,” used absolutely, must apparently mean “human…
jfbIsaiah 40:7: "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass."
- spirit of the Lord—rather, "wind of Jehovah" (Ps 103:16). The withering east wind of those countries sent by Jehovah (Jon 4:8).the people—rather, "this people" [Lowth], which may refer to the Babylonians [Rosenmuller]; but better, mankind in general, as in Isa 42:5, so Isa 40:6, "all flesh"; this whole race, that is, man.
The verse calls the "spirit of the LORD" a "breath" or "wind" that can powerfully and destructively scorch life, not just a gentle breeze. This emphasizes that God's power, when directed towards judgment or the exposure of human frailty, is an unstoppable force, much like a scorching wind that quickly withers everything in its path.
After declaring that all humanity is like grass and its glory like a fading flower, Isaiah immediately illustrates this point by comparing the ephemeral nature of vegetation to the perishability of people. This vivid image, driven by the powerful breath or wind of the Lord, underscores the fleetingness of all human life and strength. The verse emphasizes that just as a scorching wind can quickly wither a field, so too can God's power bring about the swift end of human existence.
After declaring that all humanity is like grass and its glory like a fading flower, Isaiah immediately illustrates this point by comparing the ephemeral nature of vegetation to the perishability of people. This vivid image, driven by the powerful breath or wind of the Lord, underscores the fleetingness of all human life and strength. The verse emphasizes that just as a scorching wind can quickly wither a field, so too can God's power bring about the swift end of human existence.
"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." — The verse calls the "spirit of the LORD" a "breath" or "wind" that can powerfully and destructively scorch life, not just a gentle breeze. This emphasizes that God's power, when directed towards judg…
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Last reviewed October 2026