Isaiah 40:29
What does Isaiah 40:29 mean?
A plain-English look at Isaiah 40:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Isaiah 40:29 means
This verse offers immediate comfort and promises provision for the weary and powerless. It declares that God "giveth power to the faint; and to him that hath no might he increaseth strength." This is a direct response to the human experience of exhaustion and weakness. It reassures that God actively intervenes to empower those who are physically or spiritually depleted, demonstrating His compassionate nature and His ability to sustain His people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000He giveth power to the faint; and to him that hath no might he increaseth strength.
KJV
King James Version · 1611He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He giveth power to the faint; and to him that hath no might he increaseth strength.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He gives power to the feeble, increasing the strength of him who has no force.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862He is giving power to the weary, And to those not strong He increaseth might.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752It is he that giveth strength to the weary, and increaseth force and might to them that are not.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He giveth power to the faint; and to him that hath no might he increaseth strength.
Context
Building on the declaration of God's unending strength and wisdom, this verse applies those attributes directly to the needs of His people. It transitions from a description of God's nature to a promise of His active provision for the weak. This specific promise of renewed strength sets up a powerful contrast with the limitations of even the strongest humans in the following verse.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Colossians 1:11
strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, unto all patience and longsuffering with joy;
- Isaiah 41:10
fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
- Psalms 29:11
Jehovah will give strength unto his people; Jehovah will bless his people with peace.
- Genesis 49:24
But his bow abode in strength, And the arms of his hands were made strong, By the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob (From thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel),
- Isaiah 50:4
The Lord Jehovah hath given me the tongue of them that are taught, that I may know how to sustain with words him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as they that are taught.
- Philippians 4:13
I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.
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