Isaiah 40:7-8

40:7 The grass dries up,

the flowers wither,

when the wind sent by the Lord ¹  blows on them.

Surely humanity ²  is like grass.

40:8 The grass dries up,

the flowers wither,

but the decree of our God is forever reliable.” ³ 

[40:7]  ¹ tn The Hebrew text has רוּחַ יְהוָה (ruakh yehvah), which in this context probably does not refer to the Lord’s personal Spirit. The phrase is better translated “the breath of the Lord,” or “the wind of [i.e., sent by] the Lord.” The Lord’s sovereign control over nature, including the hot desert winds that dry up vegetation, is in view here (cf. Ps 147:18; Isa 59:19).

[40:7]  ² tn Heb “the people” (so KJV, ASV, NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV).

[40:8]  ³ tn Heb “but the word of our God stands forever.” In this context the divine “word” specifically refers to his decreed promise assuring Jerusalem that her suffering is over and his glorious return imminent (vv. 1-5).