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.

2 KINGS 19:26KJV
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2 Kings 19:26 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 19:26 mean?

2 Kings 19:26 describes how the inhabitants of certain lands had become weak and powerless, easily overcome and confused, like grass or plants that quickly wither and die before they can fully grow. The verse uses vivid images to show how fragile and helpless these people were in the face of destruction.

In this part of the story, God is speaking through the prophet Isaiah to King Hezekiah of Judah. God explains why the enemies that threatened Jerusalem were so easily defeated: their strength was small, and they were as vulnerable as grass on a rooftop, which dries out quickly. The verse emphasizes how God’s power can make even strong nations seem weak and fleeting.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 19:26

  • "Small" (קָטֹן, qaton) and "power" (יָד, yad): The phrase means their strength or ability was insignificant. "Yad" literally means "hand," often used for power or capability.
  • "Grass" (עֵשֶׂב, esev) and "herb" (יֶרֶק, yereq): These words highlight the temporary, fragile nature of the people being described. Grass and herbs wither quickly, especially in the harsh Middle Eastern climate.
  • "Grass on the housetops" (חָצוּר גַּג, chatsur gag): Grass growing on rooftops has little soil and dries up fast, making it a symbol for something that cannot last.
  • "Blasted" (שָׁדַף, shadaph): This word means scorched or withered, describing crops ruined before they can mature. It adds to the picture of sudden, complete weakness.

Why 2 Kings 19:26 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the downfall of these people was not just due to military defeat, but because they were made powerless and vulnerable—like grass that never had a chance to thrive.
  • The images used connect to the wider biblical theme of human strength being temporary and dependent on God’s will.
  • Understanding these word pictures helps readers see how God’s message through Isaiah was meant to comfort Hezekiah, showing that God was in control even over powerful enemies.

Where else these words appear

“small” Hebrew H7116 · used in 5 verses

  • Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
  • Proverbs 14:17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
  • Proverbs 14:29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

“green” Hebrew H3419 · used in 5 verses

  • Deuteronomy 11:10 For the land, whither thou goest in to possess it, is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst it with thy foot, as a garden of herbs:
  • 1 Kings 21:2 And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money.
  • Proverbs 15:17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

“blasted” Hebrew H7711 · used in 6 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:22 The LORD shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish.
  • 1 Kings 8:37 If there be in the land famine, if there be pestilence, blasting, mildew, locust, or if there be caterpiller; if their enemy besiege them in the land of their cities; whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness there be;
  • Amos 4:9 I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

“up” Hebrew H7054 · used in 8 verses

  • Exodus 22:6 If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.
  • Deuteronomy 23:25 When thou comest into the standing corn of thy neighbour, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thine hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbour's standing corn.
  • Isaiah 17:5 And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim.