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.
Original Language Analysis
אַ֣ף
H637
אַ֣ף
Strong's:
H637
Word #:
1 of 18
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
בַּל
H1077
בַּל
Strong's:
H1077
Word #:
2 of 18
properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest
נִטָּ֗עוּ
Yea they shall not be planted
H5193
נִטָּ֗עוּ
Yea they shall not be planted
Strong's:
H5193
Word #:
3 of 18
properly, to strike in, i.e., fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)
אַ֚ף
H637
אַ֚ף
Strong's:
H637
Word #:
4 of 18
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
בַּל
H1077
בַּל
Strong's:
H1077
Word #:
5 of 18
properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest
זֹרָ֔עוּ
yea they shall not be sown
H2232
זֹרָ֔עוּ
yea they shall not be sown
Strong's:
H2232
Word #:
6 of 18
to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify
אַ֛ף
H637
אַ֛ף
Strong's:
H637
Word #:
7 of 18
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
בַּל
H1077
בַּל
Strong's:
H1077
Word #:
8 of 18
properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest
שֹׁרֵ֥שׁ
shall not take root
H8327
שֹׁרֵ֥שׁ
shall not take root
Strong's:
H8327
Word #:
9 of 18
to root, i.e., strike into the soil, or (by implication) to pluck from it
גִּזְעָ֑ם
yea their stock
H1503
גִּזְעָ֑ם
yea their stock
Strong's:
H1503
Word #:
11 of 18
the trunk or stump of a tree (as felled or as planted)
וְגַם
H1571
וְגַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
12 of 18
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
נָשַׁ֤ף
and he shall also blow
H5398
נָשַׁ֤ף
and he shall also blow
Strong's:
H5398
Word #:
13 of 18
to breeze, i.e., blow up fresh (as the wind)
וַיִּבָ֔שׁוּ
upon them and they shall wither
H3001
וַיִּבָ֔שׁוּ
upon them and they shall wither
Strong's:
H3001
Word #:
15 of 18
to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
Cross References
Isaiah 41:16Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel.Isaiah 17:13The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.Jeremiah 23:19Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.
Historical Context
This prophetically describes the rapid fall of kingdoms throughout history, including Babylon's sudden conquest by Persia in 539 BC after seeming firmly established.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the suddenness of God's judgment on established powers warn against trusting in earthly security?
- What things in your life seem firmly rooted but may be vulnerable to God's breath of change?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The agricultural metaphors (planting, sowing, taking root) describe the apparent establishment of powerful rulers, only to be suddenly destroyed by God's breath ('ruach'). The whirlwind ('suphah') imagery suggests sudden, complete removal. This illustrates the transience of all earthly power before divine sovereignty.