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Isaiah 40:24

Isaiah 40:24 in Multiple Translations

No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner have their stems taken root in the ground, than He blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like stubble.

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.

Yea, 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.

They 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.

In fact they are hardly even planted, hardly even sown, hardly even taken root, when he blows on them and they wither, and the wind carries them away like straw.

As though they were not plated, as though they were not sowen, as though their stocke tooke no roote in the earth: for he did euen blow vpon them, and they withered, and the whirlewinde will take them away as stubble.

Yea, 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.

They are planted scarcely. They are sown scarcely. Their stock has scarcely taken root in the ground. He merely blows on them, and they wither, and the whirlwind takes them away as stubble.

Yes, they shall not be planted; yes, they shall not be sown: yes, 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.

And 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.

They start to rule, like small plants start to grow and form roots; but then he gets rid of them as though [MET] they withered when he blew on them, like [SIM] chaff that is blown away by the wind.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 40:24

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Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Isaiah 40:24 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB אַ֣ף בַּל נִטָּ֗עוּ אַ֚ף בַּל זֹרָ֔עוּ אַ֛ף בַּל שֹׁרֵ֥שׁ בָּ/אָ֖רֶץ גִּזְעָ֑/ם וְ/גַם נָשַׁ֤ף בָּ/הֶם֙ וַ/יִּבָ֔שׁוּ וּ/סְעָרָ֖ה כַּ/קַּ֥שׁ תִּשָּׂאֵֽ/ם
אַ֣ף ʼaph H637 also DirObjM
בַּל bal H1077 not Part
נִטָּ֗עוּ nâṭaʻ H5193 to plant V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
אַ֚ף ʼaph H637 also DirObjM
בַּל bal H1077 not Part
זֹרָ֔עוּ zâraʻ H2232 to sow V-Pual-Perf-3cp
אַ֛ף ʼaph H637 also DirObjM
בַּל bal H1077 not Part
שֹׁרֵ֥שׁ shârash H8327 to uproot V-m-Perf-3ms
בָּ/אָ֖רֶץ ʼerets H776 land Prep | N-cs
גִּזְעָ֑/ם gezaʻ H1503 stock N-ms | Suff
וְ/גַם gam H1571 also Conj | DirObjM
נָשַׁ֤ף nâshaph H5398 to blow V-Qal-Perf-3ms
בָּ/הֶם֙ Prep | Suff
וַ/יִּבָ֔שׁוּ yâbêsh H3001 to wither Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
וּ/סְעָרָ֖ה çaʻar H5591 tempest Conj | N-fs
כַּ/קַּ֥שׁ qash H7179 stubble Prep | N-ms
תִּשָּׂאֵֽ/ם nâsâʼ H5375 to lift V-Qal-Imperf-3fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 40:24

אַ֣ף ʼaph H637 "also" DirObjM
The Hebrew word for 'also' or 'addition', used to connect ideas or show a relationship between them, as seen in Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean 'though' or 'yet', indicating a contrast. This word is often used to add emphasis or provide more information.
Definition: conj (denoting addition, esp of something greater) 1) also, yea, though, so much the more adv 2) furthermore, indeed Aramaic equivalent: aph (אַף "also" H0638)
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: also, [phrase] although, and (furthermore, yet), but, even, [phrase] how much less (more, rather than), moreover, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:1; Psalms 16:6; Psalms 16:7.
בַּל bal H1077 "not" Part
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means not or nothing, often used to show something is absent or non-existent. It appears in various forms, like lest or neither. The KJV Bible translates it in different ways, including not or none.
Definition: not, hardly, else
Usage: Occurs in 58 OT verses. KJV: lest, neither, no, none (that...), not (any), nothing. See also: 1 Chronicles 16:30; Psalms 140:12; Psalms 10:4.
נִטָּ֗עוּ nâṭaʻ H5193 "to plant" V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
To plant or establish something, like in Genesis 2:8 where God planted a garden in Eden. It can also mean to fix or fasten something in place.
Definition: 1) to plant, fasten, fix, establish 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to plant 1a2) to plant, establish (fig.) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be planted 1b2) to be established (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 55 OT verses. KJV: fastened, plant(-er). See also: Genesis 2:8; Isaiah 17:10; Psalms 44:3.
אַ֚ף ʼaph H637 "also" DirObjM
The Hebrew word for 'also' or 'addition', used to connect ideas or show a relationship between them, as seen in Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean 'though' or 'yet', indicating a contrast. This word is often used to add emphasis or provide more information.
Definition: conj (denoting addition, esp of something greater) 1) also, yea, though, so much the more adv 2) furthermore, indeed Aramaic equivalent: aph (אַף "also" H0638)
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: also, [phrase] although, and (furthermore, yet), but, even, [phrase] how much less (more, rather than), moreover, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:1; Psalms 16:6; Psalms 16:7.
בַּל bal H1077 "not" Part
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means not or nothing, often used to show something is absent or non-existent. It appears in various forms, like lest or neither. The KJV Bible translates it in different ways, including not or none.
Definition: not, hardly, else
Usage: Occurs in 58 OT verses. KJV: lest, neither, no, none (that...), not (any), nothing. See also: 1 Chronicles 16:30; Psalms 140:12; Psalms 10:4.
זֹרָ֔עוּ zâraʻ H2232 "to sow" V-Pual-Perf-3cp
To sow or plant seed is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which also has figurative uses like spreading ideas or producing spiritual fruit. It appears in various forms, such as conceiving or yielding seed, and is used in biblical passages like Genesis and Psalm 107.
Definition: 1) to sow, scatter seed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sow 1a2) producing, yielding seed 1b)(Niphal) 1b1) to be sown 1b2) to become pregnant, be made pregnant 1c) (Pual) to be sown 1d) (Hiphil) to produce seed, yield seed
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: bear, conceive seed, set with sow(-er), yield. See also: Genesis 1:11; Psalms 107:37; Psalms 97:11.
אַ֛ף ʼaph H637 "also" DirObjM
The Hebrew word for 'also' or 'addition', used to connect ideas or show a relationship between them, as seen in Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean 'though' or 'yet', indicating a contrast. This word is often used to add emphasis or provide more information.
Definition: conj (denoting addition, esp of something greater) 1) also, yea, though, so much the more adv 2) furthermore, indeed Aramaic equivalent: aph (אַף "also" H0638)
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: also, [phrase] although, and (furthermore, yet), but, even, [phrase] how much less (more, rather than), moreover, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:1; Psalms 16:6; Psalms 16:7.
בַּל bal H1077 "not" Part
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means not or nothing, often used to show something is absent or non-existent. It appears in various forms, like lest or neither. The KJV Bible translates it in different ways, including not or none.
Definition: not, hardly, else
Usage: Occurs in 58 OT verses. KJV: lest, neither, no, none (that...), not (any), nothing. See also: 1 Chronicles 16:30; Psalms 140:12; Psalms 10:4.
שֹׁרֵ֥שׁ shârash H8327 "to uproot" V-m-Perf-3ms
To uproot means to remove something from the ground, like a plant. In the Bible, it can also mean to get rid of something bad. It appears in books like Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Definition: 1) to uproot, take root, deal with the roots 1a) (Piel) to root up, root out 1b) (Pual) to be rooted up or out (of produce) 1c) (Poel) to take root 1d) (Poal) to take root 1e) (Hiphil) to take root, cause to take root
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: (take, cause to take) root (out). See also: Job 5:3; Psalms 80:10; Psalms 52:7.
בָּ/אָ֖רֶץ ʼerets H776 "land" Prep | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
גִּזְעָ֑/ם gezaʻ H1503 "stock" N-ms | Suff
This word refers to the trunk or stump of a tree, either felled or planted. The KJV translates it as stem or stock, describing the main part of a tree.
Definition: stem, trunk, stock (of trees)
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: stem, stock. See also: Job 14:8; Isaiah 11:1; Isaiah 40:24.
וְ/גַם gam H1571 "also" Conj | DirObjM
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Definition: 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike
Usage: Occurs in 661 OT verses. KJV: again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and, but, either...or, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 19:9; 1 Samuel 14:21.
נָשַׁ֤ף nâshaph H5398 "to blow" V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To blow or breeze, like the wind blowing fresh air, as seen in the natural world. This concept appears in various KJV translations as 'blow'.
Definition: (Qal) to blow
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: blow. See also: Exodus 15:10; Isaiah 40:24.
בָּ/הֶם֙ "" Prep | Suff
וַ/יִּבָ֔שׁוּ yâbêsh H3001 "to wither" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to wither or dry up, like a plant without water. It can also mean to be ashamed or disappointed. The Bible uses it to describe things that have lost their freshness or vitality.
Definition: 1) to make dry, wither, be dry, become dry, be dried up, be withered 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be dry, be dried up, be without moisture 1a2) to be dried up 1b) (Piel) to make dry, dry up 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to dry up, make dry 1c1a) to dry up (water) 1c1b) to make dry, wither 1c1c) to exhibit dryness
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: be ashamed, clean, be confounded, (make) dry (up), (do) shame(-fully), [idiom] utterly, wither (away). See also: Genesis 8:7; Jeremiah 6:15; Psalms 22:16.
וּ/סְעָרָ֖ה çaʻar H5591 "tempest" Conj | N-fs
This Hebrew word means a strong storm or hurricane, like a whirlwind. It appears in the Bible to describe powerful natural events. The KJV translates it as storm or tempest.
Definition: tempest Another spelling of se.a.rah (סְעָרָה "tempest" H5591B)
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: storm(-y), tempest, whirlwind. See also: 2 Kings 2:1; Isaiah 41:16; Psalms 55:9.
כַּ/קַּ֥שׁ qash H7179 "stubble" Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to dry straw or stubble, often used to describe something that is worthless or easily destroyed. It appears in prophetic passages, such as Isaiah and Jeremiah, to symbolize God's judgment.
Definition: stubble, chaff
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: stubble. See also: Exodus 5:12; Isaiah 40:24; Psalms 83:14.
תִּשָּׂאֵֽ/ם nâsâʼ H5375 "to lift" V-Qal-Imperf-3fs | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.
Definition: : raise/take_up 1) to lift, bear up, carry, take 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lift, lift up 1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure 1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted 1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up 1b3) to be borne, be carried 1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist 1c2) to desire, long (fig.) 1c3) to carry, bear continuously 1c4) to take, take away 1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity) 1e2) to cause to bring, have brought
Usage: Occurs in 609 OT verses. KJV: accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. See also: Genesis 4:13; Numbers 4:2; 1 Samuel 14:3.

Study Notes — Isaiah 40:24

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Isaiah 41:16 You will winnow them, and a wind will carry them away; a gale will scatter them. But you will rejoice in the LORD; you will glory in the Holy One of Israel.
2 Isaiah 17:13 The nations rage like the rush of many waters. He rebukes them, and they flee far away, driven before the wind like chaff on the hills, like tumbleweeds before a gale.
3 Haggai 1:9 You expected much, but behold, it amounted to little. And what you brought home, I blew away. Why? declares the LORD of Hosts. Because My house still lies in ruins, while each of you is busy with his own house.
4 Jeremiah 23:19 Behold, the storm of the LORD has gone out with fury, a whirlwind swirling down upon the heads of the wicked.
5 Proverbs 1:27 when your dread comes like a storm, and your destruction like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish overwhelm you.
6 Job 18:16–19 The roots beneath him dry up, and the branches above him wither away. The memory of him perishes from the earth, and he has no name in the land. He is driven from light into darkness and is chased from the inhabited world. He has no offspring or posterity among his people, no survivor where he once lived.
7 Job 15:30–33 He will not escape from the darkness; the flame will wither his shoots, and the breath of God’s mouth will carry him away. Let him not deceive himself with trust in emptiness, for emptiness will be his reward. It will be paid in full before his time, and his branch will not flourish. He will be like a vine stripped of its unripe grapes, like an olive tree that sheds its blossoms.
8 Job 4:9 By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of His anger they are consumed.
9 Zechariah 7:14 But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations that they had not known, and the land was left desolate behind them so that no one could come or go. Thus they turned the pleasant land into a desolation.”
10 Hosea 13:3 Therefore they will be like the morning mist, like the early dew that vanishes, like chaff blown from a threshing floor, like smoke through an open window.

Isaiah 40:24 Summary

[Isaiah 40:24 teaches us that God is all-powerful and in control of everything, even the smallest details of our lives. Just like how easily plants can wither and die, God can remove or change anything that is not aligned with His plans, as seen in Psalm 103:19. This verse reminds us to trust in God's sovereignty and not to put our confidence in human leaders or earthly things, but rather in God's power and love, as stated in Jeremiah 29:11.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for God to blow on these plants and cause them to wither?

This phrase is a metaphor for God's judgment and power, as seen in Isaiah 40:24, similar to how He withers the grass in Psalm 37:2, showing His sovereign control over all creation, including the rise and fall of nations and leaders.

Is this verse talking about literal plants or is it symbolic?

The plants in Isaiah 40:24 are symbolic of human leaders and nations, as indicated by the context of the surrounding verses, such as Isaiah 40:22-23, which talks about God's power over the princes and rulers of the earth.

How does this verse relate to the idea of God's sovereignty?

This verse highlights God's absolute sovereignty over all things, including the rise and fall of human leaders and nations, as stated in Isaiah 46:10, where God declares that His plans will stand, and His purposes will be fulfilled.

What is the significance of comparing the withered plants to stubble?

The comparison to stubble in Isaiah 40:24 emphasizes the ease with which God can destroy or remove anything that opposes Him, much like how stubble is easily blown away by the wind, as seen in Matthew 3:12, where John the Baptist talks about the coming judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the image of God blowing on plants and causing them to wither make you feel about His power and control in your life?
  2. In what ways can you see God's sovereignty at work in the world around you, and how does that impact your trust in Him?
  3. What are some areas in your life where you may be trying to 'take root' in your own strength, rather than relying on God's power and provision?
  4. How can you apply the lesson of Isaiah 40:24 to your own life, recognizing that your accomplishments and successes are fleeting and subject to God's sovereignty?

Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 40:24

Yea, they shall not be planted,.... As trees are, like the cedars in Lebanon, though they may seem to be such; but be like the grass of the field, and herbs of the earth: or, "even they shall be", as

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 40:24

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.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 40:24

They, the princes and judges last mentioned, shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: they shall take no root, as it follows; for planting and sowing are in order to taking root, and are necessary to it. They shall not continue and flourish, as they have vainly imagined; but shall be rooted up and perish, as is declared in the rest of the verse. Blow upon them; blast them, as a vehement east wind doth plants.

Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 40:24

Isaiah 40:24 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.Ver. 24. Yea, they shall not be planted.] They are like grass, that is neither planted nor well rooted; but as weeds that grow on the top of the water, vel tanquam podii folium, quod mane candidum, meridie purpureum, vespere caeruleum aspicitur. And he shall blow upon them.] Two fits of an ague shook to death great Tamerlane, in the midst of his preparations for the conquest of Turkey. Jerome.

Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 40:24

(24) They shall not be planted . . .—Better, Hardly are they planted, hardly are they sown. Such are empires before the eternity of Jehovah: so soon withered that we cannot say that they were ever really planted (Psalms 129:6).

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 40:24

Verse 24. And he shall also blow upon them - "And if he but blow upon them"] The Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate, and MS. Bodl., with another, have גם gam, only, without the conjunction ו vau, and.

Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 40:24

24. Yea, they shall not be …] Render: Scarcely have they been planted, scarcely have they been sown, scarcely has their stock struck root in the earth, when he bloweth etc. (see R.V. marg.). their stock] The same word as “stem” in ch. Isaiah 11:1, but in a different sense. see the note there. 25, 26 form the peroration of a passage of striking elevation. The writer makes a final appeal to the imagination of his audience by pointing to the nightly pageant of the starry hosts mustered at the command of Him who is Jehovah of Hosts.

Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 40:24

Yea, they shall not be planted - The kings and rulers - especially they who oppose God in the execution of his purposes.

Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 40:24

23, 24. Princes… judges… vanity — Other predicates are here added respecting God, the ruler of the universe. He annihilates the potentates and judges of the earth when they displease him. In various ways hevisits them.

Sermons on Isaiah 40:24

SermonDescription
Joy Dawson Exultant Joy by Joy Dawson Joy Dawson emphasizes the significance of exultant joy in the life of a Christian, highlighting that true joy comes from knowing God intimately and fulfilling His conditions for jo
Michael Howard The Remnant and Martyrdom by Michael Howard This sermon emphasizes the importance of truly living by faith and trusting God for provision, rather than manipulating circumstances for personal gain. It calls for a return to bu
From the Pulpit & Classic Sermons When Life Is Overwhelming - Chuck Smith by From the Pulpit & Classic Sermons In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the fourth chapter of Zechariah verse 6, where God speaks to the rebel and declares that His spirit, not human might or power, will accompli
Martin Knapp Revival Tornadoes -- No New Name for Revivals by Martin Knapp Martin Knapp preaches about the powerful impact of genuine revival, likening it to a tornado in the spiritual world, accompanied by divine truth, disturbed elements, and saving pow

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