Isaiah 40:29
in Isaiah 40He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
He giveth power to the faint; and to him that hath no might he increaseth strength.
KJV
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
⋯
This verse in Isaiah 40
Commentary
11 notes on this verseHe giveth power to the faint,.... Who are ready to faint under afflictions, because they have not immediate deliverance, or their prayers are not answered at once, or promises not fulfilled as they expected; to such he gives fresh supplies of spiritual strength; he strengthens their faith, and enlarges their views, to behold the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, and confirms his blessings and promises of grace unto them, Psa 27:
This site's exposition
He giveth power to the faint
on Isaiah 40:29-31
The chapter's answer to Jacob's despair is power given away rather than merely displayed, he gives power to the faint and increases strength to those who have none. Even youths grow weary and young men utterly fall, the natural strength every generation trusts eventually failing them. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, mounting up with wings as eagles, running and not growing weary, walking and not fainting, and Clarke notes the descending order of the promise, flight, then a run, then simply the ability to keep walking, since ordinary endurance is the harder and more lasting gift.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
This is what the admirable Hannah has also said: "The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, and he lifts up."
(Verse 27 and following) Why do you say, Jacob, and speak, Israel: My way is hidden from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over by my God? Do you not know, or have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint, neither is He weary, and there is no searching of His understanding. He gives power to the faint, and to them that have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall.
The Medieval Church1 voice
Second, by the great things which he does in others. And first, in those whom he strengthens, he shows their original weakness: it is he that gives strength, as to him who first had been strong and then weakened; to them that are not, as …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
The meaning is, God shall by his spirit so dispose mens hearts, and by his providence so order the affairs of the world, as to make way for the accomplishment of his promise. This was eminently fulfilled, when Christ, who was, and is God, blessed forever, came into the world in a visible manner.
Many out of bodily weakness are wonderfully recovered, and made strong, by the providence of God: and many that are feeble in spirit, timorous and faint-hearted, unfit for services and sufferings, are yet strengthened by the grace of God with all might in the inward man.
4 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
It was especially a direction to the prophets that should live in the time of captivity, when Jerusalem was in ruins; they must encourage the captives to hope for enlargement in due time. Gospel ministers, being employed by the blessed Spirit as comforters, and as helpers of the joy of Christians, are here put in mind of their business.
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
He giveth power to the faint - To his weak and feeble people. This is one of his attributes; and his people, therefore, should put their trust in him, and look to him for aid (compare 2Co 12:9). The design of this verse is to give consolation to the afflicted and down-trodden people in Babylon, by recalling to their minds the truth that it was one of the characteristics of God that he ministered strength to those who were conscious of their own feebleness, and who looked to him for support.
A commentator
Charles Spurgeon1834–1892
The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Sermon No. 2812: “Causes and Cure of Fainting” (lightly modernized text, CCEL edition) · Written before 1892.
proposed
THE connection in which these words stand is very suggestive. The previous verse says, "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faints not, neither is weary. There is no searching of His understanding." He has the perfection of power and also of wisdom. Unbelief is based upon absurdity, but faith rests upon reason and fact. This may not, at first sight, seem to be true, but it really is.
A commentator
Charles Spurgeon1834–1892
The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Sermon No. 2812: “Causes and Cure of Fainting” (lightly modernized text, CCEL edition) · Written before 1892.
proposed
THE connection in which these words stand is very suggestive. The previous verse says, "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faints not, neither is weary. There is no searching of His understanding." He has the perfection of power and also of wisdom. Unbelief is based upon absurdity, but faith rests upon reason and fact. This may not, at first sight, seem to be true, but it really is. To believe in the almighty and all-wise God is the most rational thing in the world—to disbelieve Him is both the most wicked and the most irrational thing. When a child of God begins to distrust his Father, it must be because he doubts either God's memory or His power. It seems utterly absurd, as well as grievously wrong, to suspect the Lord of fainting or being weary. The moment we give utterance to such a sentiment, we feel as if we must at once withdraw the words. It is so altogether ridiculous and absurd to speak thus of Him who made the heavens and the earth and who supports all things by the word of His power! How can He fail or faint? The Self-Existent One, from whom all the power that ever was, or is, or shall be, and must primarily come—how can He fail or faint? Then would the sun grow dim at noon! Then would earth dissolve and Heaven pass away if once faintness could seize the Deity who supports all things! We know better and we ought, therefore, to act better. And as we feel that He cannot faint or be weary, we ought not to harbor a single doubt concerning His fainting. How can He faint? It is He that gives power to the faint! When faintness comes anywhere, it does not come to Him—it comes to you who doubt.
The words behind it
7 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| נֹתֵ֥ן | noten | [he is] giving | H5414 → | 2011 times |
| לַיָּעֵ֖ף | laiyaef | to the weary [person] | H3287 → | |
| כֹּ֑חַ | koach | strength | H3581 → | 126 times |
| וּלְאֵ֥ין | uleein | and to [those who] there not | H369 → | 789 times |
| אוֹנִ֖ים | ʾonim | [is] power<s> | H202 → | |
| עָצְמָ֥ה | ʾatzemah | strength | H6109 → | |
| יַרְבֶּֽה׃ | yarbeh | he increases | H7235 → | 227 times |
נֹתֵ֥ן[he is] giving
notenH5414 →2011 times
לַיָּעֵ֖ףto the weary [person]
laiyaefH3287 →
כֹּ֑חַstrength
koachH3581 →126 times
וּלְאֵ֥יןand to [those who] there not
uleeinH369 →789 times
אוֹנִ֖ים[is] power<s>
ʾonimH202 →
עָצְמָ֥הstrength
ʾatzemahH6109 →
יַרְבֶּֽה׃he increases
yarbehH7235 →227 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Philippians 4:13I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
it leads to
- Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand…
- 2 Corinthians 12:9–10
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of…
- Colossians 1:11
being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, and joyfully
- Isaiah 40:29–31
He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak.
- Ephesians 6:10
Through
Isaiah 41:10Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand…
it leads to
- Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
- Isaiah 43:1–2
Now this is what the LORD says— He who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your…
- Philippians 4:13
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies7
On this verse
About Isaiah
This page draws on 10 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Charles Spurgeon, The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Sermon No. 2812: “Causes and Cure of Fainting” (lightly modernized text, CCEL edition); Jerome, Commentary on Isaiah; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763); John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament; John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theodoret of Cyrus, COMMENTARY ON ISAIAH 12:40.29 and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Isaiah.