Isaiah 40:8 kjv
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
Isaiah 40:8 nkjv
The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever."
Isaiah 40:8 niv
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever."
Isaiah 40:8 esv
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
Isaiah 40:8 nlt
The grass withers and the flowers fade,
but the word of our God stands forever."
Isaiah 40 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 40:6-7 | The voice said, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?" "All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers... and the flower fades... | Immediate context of human frailty. |
| 1 Pet 1:24-25 | For "All flesh is like grass, And all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers... But the word of the Lord endures forever." | Direct NT quotation of Isa 40:6-8. |
| Ps 90:5-6 | You sweep them away as with a flood... they are like grass which sprouts anew; In the morning it flourishes... in the evening it fades. | Transience of human life. |
| Ps 103:15-16 | As for man, his days are like grass... When the wind has passed over it, it is no more. | Human frailty and disappearance. |
| Job 14:1-2 | "Man, who is born of woman, Is of few days and full of trouble. He comes forth like a flower and fades away..." | Brevity and fragility of life. |
| Jas 1:10-11 | but the rich person should glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away... the sun rises... withers the grass... | Wealth's transience, citing flower/grass imagery. |
| Ps 37:1-2 | Fret not yourself because of evildoers... they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. | Ephemeral nature of the wicked. |
| Ps 119:89 | Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. | Eternity and immutability of God's Word. |
| Ps 119:160 | The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting. | God's Word is enduring truth. |
| Ps 33:11 | The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations. | God's counsel and plans endure. |
| Matt 5:18 | For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. | Eternity of God's Law. |
| Matt 24:35 | Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. | Jesus' words parallel the eternal Word of God. |
| Luke 21:33 | Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. | Same as Matt 24:35, affirming Christ's words. |
| Isa 51:6 | Lift up your eyes to the heavens, And look to the earth beneath... But My salvation will be forever, And My righteousness will not be shattered. | Contrast of transient creation and God's eternal salvation. |
| Num 23:19 | God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should change His mind; Has He said, and will He not do it? | God's unchangeable faithfulness. |
| Mal 3:6 | "For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed." | Immutability of God's character. |
| 2 Tim 2:13 | If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself. | God's unfailing nature despite human failing. |
| Heb 4:12 | For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword... | The Word's powerful, enduring nature. |
| 1 Cor 15:53-54 | For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality... Death is swallowed up in victory. | Human mortality transformed by divine promise. |
| Rev 19:13 | And He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. | Jesus as the incarnate, eternal Word. |
Isaiah 40 verses
Isaiah 40 8 Meaning
Isaiah 40:8 profoundly declares the fleeting nature of all human life and its accomplishments, epitomized by the perishing grass and fading flower. In stark contrast, it asserts the eternal, unchangeable, and absolutely dependable character of God's Word—His spoken truth, promises, and decrees. This verse serves as a foundational statement about the transience of creation versus the permanence of the Creator's truth, offering a solid anchor of hope and assurance.
Isaiah 40 8 Context
Isaiah chapter 40 marks a significant shift in the book, beginning the "Book of Comfort" (chapters 40-55). Addressed to the Judean exiles in Babylon, it delivers a message of hope and restoration after years of desolation. The preceding verses (Isa 40:1-5) introduce the theme of divine comfort for Jerusalem and the command to prepare a way for the Lord. Isaiah 40:6-7 immediately precedes verse 8, painting a vivid picture of human transience, with a voice commanding a cry that "all flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field... when the breath of the Lord blows upon it." This sets the stage for the definitive declaration in verse 8, contrasting this utter fragility with the steadfastness of God's Word. Historically, the audience longed for stability amidst their political and spiritual upheaval, and this message directly confronted their feelings of despair and the transient power of their captors, re-centering their hope on God's eternal promises of return and renewal. It also indirectly served as a polemic against the transient deities and empires of Babylon, highlighting the unique permanence of Yahweh and His declarations.
Isaiah 40 8 Word analysis
- The grass (חָצִיר, chatzir): Refers to common field grass or verdure. It represents the universality and commonality of all humanity, as well as its inherent frailty, vulnerability, and short lifespan. It is ubiquitous but also easily perishable.
- withers (יָבֵשׁ, yāvēsh): This Hebrew verb signifies to dry up, become parched, or wither. It implies a natural process of decay and loss of vitality, indicating that human life inherently moves towards its end.
- the flower (צִיץ, tzitz): A bloom or blossom. It represents the glory, beauty, vigor, and perceived achievements of human life, drawing from the "loveliness" (חָסֶד, chaced) mentioned in verse 6, often translated as 'glory' or 'beauty.' Even the most vibrant aspects of life are transient.
- fades (יִבּוֹל, yibbol): This verb means to fall off, fade, or perish. It conveys a stronger sense of complete dissolution and disappearance than "withers," highlighting the ultimate end of all human glory.
- but (וְ, ve): This is a crucial adversative conjunction ("and," but functioning as "but" here due to the sharp contrast). It emphatically shifts the focus from human transience to divine permanence, setting up a dramatic and foundational theological contrast.
- the word (דְּבַר, dvar, from dāḇār): This term is rich in meaning. It's not merely spoken words but encompasses God's command, promise, decree, divine revelation, and active creative/sustaining power. It embodies truth, authority, and effective action.
- of our God (אֱלֹהֵינוּ, 'eloheynu): Refers to Yahweh, the sovereign, covenant-making God of Israel. The possessive "our" emphasizes the personal, covenantal relationship God has with His people, reminding them of His faithfulness to their promises.
- will stand (יָקוּם, yaqum): Means to stand, rise, endure, be established, confirm. It conveys not just passive existence but active and unwavering endurance, permanence, stability, and the certain fulfillment of what is decreed. It implies being firmly fixed and prevailing.
- forever (לְעוֹלָם, le'olam): Denotes timelessness, unending duration, eternity. It stresses the absolute, limitless permanence of God's Word, extending beyond any temporal bounds of human or earthly existence.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- The grass withers, the flower fades: This phrase collectively represents the universal law of decay and mortality that governs all created, physical life. It underscores human insignificance and fragility in the grand scheme. The vivid imagery is a well-established motif throughout the Old Testament.
- but the word of our God will stand forever: This directly confronts and demolishes the notion of transient existence, providing an ultimate counterpoint. It asserts an enduring reality beyond human comprehension—God's revealed will, promises, and character are immutable, providing an unshakeable foundation for faith and hope. The possessive "our God" makes this eternal Word deeply personal and trustworthy for the believing community.
Isaiah 40 8 Bonus section
The "word of our God" (דְּבַר אֱלֹהֵינוּ, dvar 'eloheynu) here in Isaiah is not merely spoken communication, but an active, efficacious divine force that accomplishes what it declares. This is evident throughout Scripture, from creation (Gen 1:3: "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light") to redemption. New Testament theology expands on this by identifying Jesus Christ Himself as "the Word" (ὁ Λόγος, ho Logos) of God (Jn 1:1, 14), who indeed "stands forever." Thus, Isaiah 40:8 implicitly points towards the eternal nature of Christ and the redemptive plan embodied in Him. The Spirit that "blows" and causes the grass to wither (Is 40:7) is the same Spirit that is at work through the Word, demonstrating God's sovereign control over life, death, and enduring truth. This passage forms part of the crucial biblical teaching on the inspiration and authority of Scripture, reinforcing its reliability across all ages.
Isaiah 40 8 Commentary
Isaiah 40:8 is a profound theological anchor within the "Book of Comfort," articulating an immutable truth: all that is human—our lives, our beauty, our power, our empires—is ultimately fleeting and temporary, like fragile vegetation. The breath (or "Spirit") of the Lord can wither it in an instant, highlighting God's absolute sovereignty over all created things. In stark, dramatic contrast, God's own Word (His every decree, promise, and revealed truth) possesses an intrinsic, divine permanence that utterly transcends time and all earthly changes. It is eternally fixed, never fading, never failing, always active, and infallibly fulfilling its purpose. This declaration provided crucial solace to a people in exile, reminding them that while their world seemed to have crumbled, the divine promises of their God for their restoration and salvation remained unwavering and sure. Practically, it encourages reliance on God's unchanging truth rather than transient worldly foundations, serving as a beacon of hope for all generations facing uncertainty or loss. For example, during times of personal crisis or societal upheaval, the unchanging truth of God's character and promises offers steadfast comfort.