Isaiah 35:3

Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

Strengthen {H2388} ye the weak {H7504} hands {H3027}, and confirm {H553} the feeble {H3782} knees {H1290}.

Strengthen your drooping arms, and steady your tottering knees.

Strengthen the limp hands and steady the feeble knees!

Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

Commentary

Isaiah 35:3, "Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees," is a powerful exhortation within a chapter brimming with promises of future glory and restoration for God's people.

Context

Chapter 35 of Isaiah paints a vivid picture of the Messianic age and the ultimate restoration of Israel. It describes a desolate wilderness transforming into a blooming paradise, symbolizing the spiritual and physical renewal that accompanies God's salvation. This verse serves as a direct command, an imperative call to action for those who are disheartened or weary. It immediately follows the promise that God Himself will come with vengeance and recompense to save His people (Isaiah 35:4). Therefore, the call to "strengthen" and "confirm" is an encouragement to prepare for and embrace this divine intervention, urging both individual resilience and communal support.

Key Themes

  • Encouragement and Resilience: The primary message is one of hope and steadfastness in the face of despair. "Weak hands" and "feeble knees" are common biblical metaphors for a lack of courage, strength, or resolve, often brought on by fear, suffering, or prolonged waiting. The verse calls for these to be invigorated.
  • Divine Empowerment: While it's an exhortation to humans, the underlying source of strength is God's impending salvation. The people are to be strengthened for what God is about to do.
  • Mutual Support: The plural "ye" implies a communal responsibility. It's a call for those who are stronger in faith or spirit to uplift and support their fellow believers who are struggling. This theme of mutual encouragement is vital in the life of faith.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words for "strengthen" (ื—ึทื–ึผึฐืงื•ึผ - chazzษ™qรป) and "confirm" (ืึทืžึผึฐืฆื•ึผ - โ€™ammษ™แนฃรป) both convey the idea of being firm, strong, and courageous. They are often used in contexts of preparing for battle or undertaking a difficult task. The imagery of hands and knees emphasizes practical ability and stability โ€“ the hands for work and action, the knees for standing firm and moving forward. When these are weak or feeble, it indicates a complete lack of readiness or ability to persevere.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 35:3 remains a timeless call to action. In times of personal trial, spiritual weariness, or societal challenges, we are reminded:

  • To draw strength from God's unfailing promises and His ultimate victory. Just as God promised restoration then, He promises a future free from sorrow and pain for those in Christ.
  • To actively encourage and uplift one another within the Christian community. When a brother or sister is struggling, it is our duty to "strengthen their weak hands" and "confirm their feeble knees" through prayer, support, and reminding them of God's truth.
  • To persevere with courage, knowing that God is at work, even when circumstances seem bleak. This verse, along with its parallel in Hebrews 12:12, serves as a powerful reminder to maintain spiritual vigor and steadfastness in our faith journey.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Hebrews 12:12

    Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

  • Job 4:3

    Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.

  • Job 4:4

    Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.

  • Luke 22:32

    But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

  • Isaiah 57:14

    And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.

  • Isaiah 57:16

    For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls [which] I have made.

  • Job 16:5

    [But] I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage [your grief].
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