Isaiah 40:24
What does Isaiah 40:24 mean?
A plain-English look at Isaiah 40:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Isaiah 40:24 means
This verse continues to describe the ephemeral nature of earthly rulers, using agricultural imagery. Princes and judges are likened to plants that are never truly rooted or sown; God merely blows upon them, and they wither and are swept away like stubble by a whirlwind. This illustrates the effortless ease with which God removes earthly powers, emphasizing their transient existence and ultimate dependence on His will.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Yea, they have not been planted; yea, they have not been sown; yea, their stock hath not taken root in the earth: moreover he bloweth upon them, and they wither, and the whirlwind taketh them away as stubble.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Yea, 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Yea, they have not been planted; yea, they have not been sown; yea, their stock hath not taken root in the earth: moreover he bloweth upon them, and they wither, and the whirlwind taketh them away as stubble.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949They have only now been planted, and their seed put into the earth, and they have only now taken root, when he sends out his breath over them and they become dry, and the storm-wind takes them away like dry grass.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Yea, they have not been planted, Yea, they have not been sown, Yea, not taking root in the earth is their stock, And also He hath blown upon them, and they wither, And a whirlwind as stubble taketh them away.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And surely their stock was neither planted, nor sown, nor rooted in the earth: suddenly he hath blown upon them, and they are withered, and a whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Scarcely are they planted, scarcely are they sown, scarcely hath their stock taken root in the earth, but he also bloweth upon them and they wither, and the whirlwind taketh them away as stubble.
Context
Building on the previous verse's statement that God brings rulers to nothing, this verse provides vivid imagery to explain *how* that happens. It elaborates on the transience of human authority with a clear, agricultural metaphor. This serves to further humble human power before returning to the central question of God's incomparable nature, setting up a direct challenge to idolatry once more.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Job 15:30
He shall not depart out of darkness; The flame shall dry up his branches, And by the breath ofGod’smouth shall he go away.
- Isaiah 40:7
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, because the breath of Jehovah bloweth upon it; surely the people is grass.
- Zechariah 9:14
And Jehovah shall be seen over them; and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning; and the Lord Jehovah will blow the trumpet, and will go with whirlwinds of the south.
- Hosea 13:15
Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the breath of Jehovah coming up from the wilderness; and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall make spoil of the treasure of all goodly vessels.
- Hosea 13:3
Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the dew that passeth early away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the threshing-floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.
- Isaiah 37:7
Behold, I will put a spirit in him, and he shall hear tidings, and shall return unto his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Isaiah 40
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Isaiah 40.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Burnout
Scripture offers solace and guidance for those experiencing burnout, encouraging rest, renewed hope, and reliance on God.
Topic
Bible Verses About Creation
Explore the biblical understanding of creation, God's awesome power, and His eternal purposes revealed in the world around us
Topic
Bible Verses About Gentleness
The Bible consistently calls believers to lives of gentleness, showing kindness and humility in all interactions.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You Feel Stuck in Life
When nothing's moving and you don't know why — verses for the in-between.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Postpartum Depression
Tender scripture for the season no one warns you about.
Verses for
Bible Verses for a Panic Attack at Night
Steady, slow verses to pray when your chest is tight and the house is dark.