All flesh is grass

All flesh is grass ( kol-habbāsār ḥāṣīr) is a phrase found in the Old Testament book of Isaiah, chapter 40, –. The English text in King James Version is as follows:

A more modern text, English Standard Version, reads:

Analysis

In the New Testament the phrase reoccurs in the First Epistle of Peter (see ; , pasa sarx hōs chortos). It was a commonly used epitaph, frequently found for example on old ledger stones and monuments in churches in 17th century England. The phrase is interpreted to mean that human life is transitory ('impotent, perishing, limited').

Uses

It has been used in various works, including:

See also

• Swords into ploughshares

References