Bible Strands
Isaiah 37:27
Therefore their inhabitants, devoid of power, are dismayed and ashamed. They are like plants in the field, tender green shoots, grass on the rooftops, scorched before it is grown.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God addresses a hostile king, explaining that He ordained the destruction of fortified cities long ago and now reveals the resulting weakness of their people.
The words — The Hebrew קִצְרֵי־יָד (kitzrei-yad) literally means "short of hand" or "devoid of power," describing the inhabitants' sudden loss of strength.
The thread — The rooftop grass metaphor recurs in Psalms 129:6 and 2 Kings 19:26, while Numbers 14:9 provides a contrasting metaphor of conquered peoples as bread.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that human strength fails instantly against divine timing, leaving the proud to face shame without recourse.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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 corn blasted before it be grown up.
Cross-references
- Psalms 129:6 May they be like grass on the rooftops, which withers before it can grow,
- Numbers 14:9 Only do not rebel against the LORD, and do not be afraid of the people of the land, for they will be like bread for us. Their protection has been removed, and the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them!”
- 2 Kings 19:26 Therefore their inhabitants, devoid of power, are dismayed and ashamed. They are like plants in the field, tender green shoots, grass on the rooftops, scorched before it is grown.
- Psalms 37:2 For they wither quickly like grass and wilt like tender plants.
- Psalms 90:5 You sweep them away in their sleep; they are like the new grass of the morning—
- Psalms 92:7 that though the wicked sprout like grass, and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed.
- Psalms 103:15 As for man, his days are like grass—he blooms like a flower of the field;
- Psalms 127:1 A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.
- Isaiah 19:16 In that day the Egyptians will be like women. They will tremble with fear beneath the uplifted hand of the LORD of Hosts, when He brandishes it against them.
- Isaiah 40:6 A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field.