דֶּ֫שֶׁא (de.she)
de.she
grass
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 14 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun de.she refers to fresh, green vegetation or new grass. It describes the tender shoots that emerge after rain, emphasizing vitality and immediate growth rather than mature, dry stalks. This word appears fourteen times in the Old Testament, with significant usage in Psalms, Job, and Isaiah.
Its imagery often contrasts human frailty with divine permanence. In Psalm 104:14-15, for instance, it is part of God’s provision for livestock and crops, illustrating His care for creation. Conversely, Isaiah 40:6-8 uses it to highlight the fleeting nature of humanity, comparing people to grass that withers quickly while God’s word endures forever.
The term captures a specific stage of plant life—lush and alive—which makes it effective for teaching about both blessing and transience. Translators typically render it as "grass" or "herb," preserving the sense of something green, soft, and temporary in the face of eternity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word de.she points to fresh, tender grass that springs up after rain. It captures a moment of vibrant life, soft and green, before it matures or dries out. In Psalm 23:2, this imagery helps us picture the peace of being led beside still waters, resting in a place where God provides what we need for our souls.
Yet this same word also reminds us of how brief human life can be. Isaiah 40 uses it to show that people may flourish like grass one day and wither the next. This contrast does not diminish our worth but highlights the lasting nature of God’s promises. While our strength may fade, His word remains steady and true.
When you feel overwhelmed by change or uncertainty, remember that God cares for the grass that grows for a season. He knows your needs and sustains you through every season of life. His care is constant, even when circumstances shift around you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 14 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- vegetation7×
- grass6×
- like <the>/ grass1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- דֶּ֔שֶׁא3×
- דֶ֔שֶׁא2×
- דֶ֑שֶׁא2×
- כַּ/דֶּ֣שֶׁא1×
- דֶּֽשֶׁא\׃1×
- דֶּ֭שֶׁא1×
- דֶּ֥שֶׁא1×
- דֶּ֠שֶׁא1×
- דֶּ֝֗שֶׁא1×
- דֶֽשֶׁא\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 23:2
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
This verse uses the concept of tender grass to illustrate the peace and provision God offers to those who trust in Him.
-
Genesis 1:11
God said, “Let the earth yield grass, herbs yielding seeds, and fruit trees bearing fruit after their kind, with their seeds in it, on the earth;” and it was so.
This occurrence shows God’s creative power in bringing forth fresh vegetation as part of His good design for the earth.