Isaiah 40:24 kjv
Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.
Isaiah 40:24 nkjv
Scarcely shall they be planted, Scarcely shall they be sown, Scarcely shall their stock take root in the earth, When He will also blow on them, And they will wither, And the whirlwind will take them away like stubble.
Isaiah 40:24 niv
No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.
Isaiah 40:24 esv
Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows on them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble.
Isaiah 40:24 nlt
They hardly get started, barely taking root,
when he blows on them and they wither.
The wind carries them off like chaff.
Isaiah 40 24 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 40:7 | "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." | Parallel imagery of transience |
| Psalm 37:2 | "For they will soon be cut down like the grass and wither like the green herb." | Swift destruction of the wicked |
| Psalm 73:18 | "Surely you lay them in slippery places; you cast them into ruin." | God's placement of enemies in ruin |
| Psalm 103:15 | "As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field." | Man's fleeting existence as grass |
| Proverbs 14:11 | "The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish." | Outcome of wicked versus righteous |
| Isaiah 5:24 | "Therefore, as the tongue of fire devours the stubble, and as the dry grass collapses in the flame, so their root will become rotten, and their blossom will go up like dust; for they have rejected the law of the LORD of hosts..." | Divine consumption of enemies |
| Jeremiah 23:29 | "Is not my word like fire,' declares the LORD, 'and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?" | Power of God's word |
| Hosea 6:4 | "What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your loyalty is like the morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away." | Fleeting nature of faithfulness |
| Matthew 24:35 | "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." | Enduring nature of God's word |
| James 1:10 | "and the rich, because he will also fade away in the midst of his ways." | Transience of wealth and man |
| 1 Peter 1:24 | "For 'All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass; the grass withers, and the flower falls." | Universal comparison of flesh to grass |
| Revelation 6:13 | "...and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind." | Cosmic signs of upheaval |
| Isaiah 37:36 | "And the angel of the LORD went out and struck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people rose in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies." | Divine judgment leading to death |
| Psalm 1:4 | "The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away." | Wickedness compared to chaff |
| Nahum 3:12 | "All your fortresses are like fig trees with first-ripe figs—when shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater." | Easy destruction of fortified places |
| Malachi 4:1 | "For behold, the day is coming, burned like an oven, when the arrogant, and all evildoers, will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branches." | Ultimate destruction by fire |
| Job 7:9 | "As the cloud fades and vanishes, so he who goes down to Sheol does not come up." | Finality of death |
| Job 20:26 | "Utter darkness awaits his treasure, a fire not kindled by man shall devour him; it shall consume what is left in his tent." | Hidden destruction by divine fire |
| Psalm 90:5-6 | "They sweep over like a flood, they are like a dream; they are like grass in the morning, which springs up in the morning, but by evening is faded and withered." | Description of humanity's transience |
| Isaiah 29:5 | "But the host of Assyria shall be at once humbled, by the LORD of hosts with thunder and earthquake and great noise, with whirlwind and tempest, and the flame of a devouring fire." | Divine onslaught against enemies |
Isaiah 40 verses
Isaiah 40 24 Meaning
This verse depicts the swift and absolute destruction of the enemies of God. Their rulers, leaders, and influential figures will be brought to nothing, just as tender grass or the morning dew disappears quickly and without a trace. It signifies a complete obliteration, a removal from existence by divine power.
Isaiah 40 24 Context
Isaiah chapter 40 marks a significant shift in the prophecy, moving from denunciation to comfort. It announces the imminent return of Israel from Babylonian exile. The preceding verses assure the people of God's strength and tender care for His flock (verses 9-11). This verse serves as a powerful contrast, demonstrating God's equal power to utterly destroy His enemies and any who stand against His purposes or His people. Historically, this would have resonated with the original audience by pointing to God's ultimate vindication and the helplessness of oppressive empires against His sovereign might.
Isaiah 40 24 Word Analysis
- And: Connects this verse to the preceding statements about God's power and nature.
- their: Refers back to the "rulers," "princes," and "conquerors" mentioned in verse 23.
- princes: Hebrew:
sarim(סָרִים). This refers to leaders, chiefs, or rulers. In this context, it specifically denotes the governing powers, earthly authorities who held sway and often oppressed God's people. The use of the plural signifies various leaders within a system or multiple ruling entities. - judges: Hebrew:
shophtim(שֹׁפְטִים). Those who administer justice and authority, implying those in positions of legal and governmental power. These are the ones responsible for decrees and maintaining order, but here they are brought to naught. - make to: Hebrew:
yasem(יָשִׂים). Literally "puts" or "sets." Indicates God's active agency in establishing or rendering something as it is described. It conveys intentionality in their downfall. - nothing: Hebrew:
qamah(קָמָה). Literally "standing up" or "growing." When used in a negative context like here (lo qamah), it means to not stand, not grow, or to be nullified, brought to nothing. It implies a state of non-existence or utter failure in their efforts or status. - even: Used for emphasis, highlighting the total completeness of their demise.
- like: Introduces a simile, comparing their destruction to natural phenomena known for their transience.
- tender grass: Hebrew:
chesev(חֶצֶב). This specific word isn't found. The usual word for grass isesev(עֵשֶׂב). The interpretation of "tender grass" likely derives from the imagery of the dew (tal- טַל) that vanishes quickly. Perhapschesevrefers to shoots or young growth, emphasizing extreme fragility. - as: Another particle for comparison in the simile.
- the early dew: Hebrew:
ba-boqer ohr(בַּבֹּקֶר אוֹר). Literally "in the morning light." This imagery conveys extreme impermanence. Dew is present at dawn but evaporates quickly with the sun's heat.
Words-Group Analysis:
- princes and judges: This pairing signifies the highest echelons of earthly power – the political leaders and the judicial authorities. Their joint incapacitation underscores the completeness of God's dismantling of hostile human governments.
- make to nothing: This phrase speaks to utter obliteration. It’s not merely defeat, but eradication from a position of influence and existence.
- like tender grass / early dew: This comparative phrase emphasizes fragility and impermanence. The leaders are not like sturdy oaks that require time to fell, but like ephemeral growth that disappears with the first touch of adversity (God's breath/power). This was particularly relevant in ancient near eastern societies where weather and natural cycles were observed with great sensitivity and fear. The swift evaporation of dew by the morning sun parallels the sudden nullification of earthly powers.
Isaiah 40 24 Bonus Section
The imagery of swift destruction aligns with the theological concept of divine judgment, where God can and does act decisively to remove evil and vindicate His people. This specific depiction serves to de-escalate the perceived power of human rulers, presenting them as ultimately insignificant against the Almighty. The choice of natural, ephemeral elements like grass and dew highlights the frailty inherent in all fleshly endeavors, especially those that attempt to usurp God's authority or stand in opposition to His kingdom. This concept is echoed in the New Testament when discussing the perishable nature of human glory in contrast to the enduring word of God (1 Peter 1:24-25).
Isaiah 40 24 Commentary
This verse powerfully illustrates divine sovereignty over all human rulers and powers. It proclaims that any earthly authority, no matter how seemingly strong or entrenched, is ultimately transient and vulnerable before the power of God. Just as grass withers and dew evaporates when exposed to the sun's rays, so will the leaders and rulers who oppose God's will and His people be utterly and swiftly brought to an end. This is not a gradual decline, but an instantaneous nullification. It offers immense hope to the oppressed, assuring them that their oppressors are temporary, subject to a higher power that guarantees their final judgment and removal.
- Practical usage: Believers facing oppressive authorities can take solace in this promise, trusting that God's justice will prevail and that human power is ultimately fragile.
- Trust in God: When leaders fail or act unjustly, remember this verse. Our ultimate hope is not in human systems but in God's eternal reign.