He giveth power to the faint; and to [them that have] no might he increaseth strength.
He giveth {H5414} power {H3581} to the faint {H3287}; and to them that have no might {H202} he increaseth {H7235} strength {H6109}.
He invigorates the exhausted, he gives strength to the powerless.
He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak.
He giveth power to the faint; and to him that hath no might he increaseth strength.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
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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. -
2 Corinthians 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. -
2 Corinthians 12:10
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. -
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. -
Colossians 1:11
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; -
Zechariah 10:12
And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD. -
Jeremiah 31:25
For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.
Isaiah 40:29 is a powerful declaration of God's nature as the inexhaustible source of strength and power, especially for those who are weak and weary. It stands as a promise of divine provision for human limitation.
Context
This verse is part of the broader message of comfort and hope in Isaiah chapter 40, which begins the section often referred to as the "Book of Comfort" (chapters 40-66). Following prophecies of judgment and exile, this chapter shifts tone dramatically, offering assurance of God's impending restoration and the incomparable greatness of God compared to idols and human rulers. Verses leading up to this emphasize God's eternal nature, His creation power, and His careful attention to the universe, setting the stage for the idea that this mighty God also cares for and empowers His people who feel weak and insignificant, particularly in the context of the Babylonian exile and their return.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word translated "faint" is ya'eph (יָעֵף), meaning weary, exhausted, or faint. "Might" comes from 'on (אוֹן), referring to strength, vigor, or ability. The contrast is stark: those who are utterly exhausted and have no ability of their own receive koach (כֹּחַ - power, strength) and atsumah (עֲצֻמָה - strength, might) from God. God "giveth" (נָתַן - nathan, to give, place, put) and "increaseth" (מַרְבֶּה - marbeh, to make much, multiply, increase), emphasizing His active role in providing this strength.
Practical Application
This verse offers profound comfort and hope for anyone facing physical, emotional, or spiritual exhaustion. It reminds us that when our own resources are completely depleted, God's power is available. Instead of relying on self-effort when we are weary, we are encouraged to look to God as the ultimate source of strength. It is a foundational truth for understanding how God's strength is made perfect in weakness. This promise is closely linked to the following verses in Isaiah 40, which speak about those who wait upon the Lord renewing their strength.