King James Version

What Does Isaiah 40:24 Mean?

Isaiah 40:24 in the King James Version says “Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he s...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 40 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Isaiah 40:24 · KJV

Context

22

It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: It is: or, Him that

23

That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity.

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.

25

To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.

26

Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.

Read Isaiah 40 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the suddenness of God's judgment on established powers warn against trusting in earthly security?
  2. What things in your life seem firmly rooted but may be vulnerable to God's breath of change?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
אַ֣ף1 of 18
H637

meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though

בַּל2 of 18
H1077

properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest

נִטָּ֗עוּ3 of 18

“Yea they shall not be planted”

H5193

properly, to strike in, i.e., fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)

אַ֚ף4 of 18
H637

meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though

בַּל5 of 18
H1077

properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest

זֹרָ֔עוּ6 of 18

“yea they shall not be sown”

H2232

to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify

אַ֛ף7 of 18
H637

meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though

בַּל8 of 18
H1077

properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest

שֹׁרֵ֥שׁ9 of 18

“shall not take root”

H8327

to root, i.e., strike into the soil, or (by implication) to pluck from it

בָּאָ֖רֶץ10 of 18

“in the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

גִּזְעָ֑ם11 of 18

“yea their stock”

H1503

the trunk or stump of a tree (as felled or as planted)

וְגַם12 of 18
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

נָשַׁ֤ף13 of 18

“and he shall also blow”

H5398

to breeze, i.e., blow up fresh (as the wind)

בָּהֶם֙14 of 18
H0
וַיִּבָ֔שׁוּ15 of 18

“upon them and they shall wither”

H3001

to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)

וּסְעָרָ֖ה16 of 18

“and the whirlwind”

H5591

a hurricane

כַּקַּ֥שׁ17 of 18

“them away as stubble”

H7179

straw (as dry)

תִּשָּׂאֵֽם׃18 of 18

“shall take”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 40:24 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 40:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 41:16Jeremiah 23:19Haggai 1:9Isaiah 17:13Zechariah 7:14Job 18:16-19

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