Devine Scripture

Isaiah 40:6

What does Isaiah 40:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Isaiah 40:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Isaiah 40:6 means

A voice commands the prophet to proclaim a message. When asked what to cry, the answer is given: "All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field." This introduces a stark contrast between the fleeting nature of humanity and the enduring power of God. Human life, beauty, and strength are depicted as fragile and temporary, like vegetation that quickly withers, preparing the reader for a greater, more permanent truth.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

The voice of one saying, Cry. And one said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

The voice of one saying, Cry. And one said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

A voice of one saying, Give a cry! And I said, What is my cry to be? All flesh is grass, and all its strength like the flower of the field.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

A voice is saying, `Call,' And he said, `What do I call?' All flesh <FI>is<Fi> grass, and all its goodliness <FI>is<Fi> As a flower of the field:

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

The voice of one, saying: Cry. And I said: What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the glory thereof as the flower of the field.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

A voice saith, Cry. And he saith, What shall I cry? — All flesh is grass, and all the comeliness thereof as the flower of the field.

Context

Following the magnificent promise of God's universal glory, this verse introduces a sobering reflection on human frailty. It serves as a strong counterpoint, emphasizing the transient nature of humanity in anticipation of establishing an enduring truth about God. This contrast sets the stage for the powerful affirmation of God's Word that immediately follows.

v.5and the glory of Jehovah shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken it.

v.6This passage

v.7The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, because the breath of Jehovah bloweth upon it; surely the people is grass.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Job 14:2

    He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: He fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

  • Isaiah 12:6

    Cry aloud and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion; for great in the midst of thee is the Holy One of Israel.

  • Psalms 90:5

    Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: In the morning they are like grass which groweth up.

  • Jeremiah 31:6

    For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the hills of Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto Jehovah our God.

  • James 1:10

    and the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

  • Isaiah 37:27

    Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as a field of grain before it is grown up.

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