Isaiah 40:29

KJV

He giveth power to the faint; and to [them that have] no might he increaseth strength.

KJV (with Strong's)

He giveth {H5414} power {H3581} to the faint {H3287}; and to them that have no might {H202} he increaseth {H7235} strength {H6109}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He invigorates the exhausted, he gives strength to the powerless.

Berean Standard Bible

He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak.

American Standard Version

He giveth power to the faint; and to him that hath no might he increaseth strength.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 40:29 is a profound declaration of God's boundless power and compassionate nature, revealing Him as the inexhaustible source of strength for humanity's deepest weaknesses. It promises divine empowerment and renewal to those who are utterly depleted and without self-reliance, standing as a testament to God's active provision in the face of human limitation and exhaustion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is nestled within the opening chapter of the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-66), a section dramatically shifting from prophecies of judgment and exile to messages of hope, restoration, and God's incomparable glory. Chapter 40 itself begins with a call to "Comfort, comfort my people" ([Isaiah 40:1](/isaiah/40-1 "Isaiah 40:1 - Comfort for God's People")), setting a tone of divine solace. The verses immediately preceding Isaiah 40:29 emphasize God's eternal nature, His omnipotence as Creator, and His sovereign control over all nations and rulers, contrasting His infinite power with the fleeting strength of humanity and the impotence of idols (e.g., [Isaiah 40:23-24](/isaiah/40-23 "Isaiah 40:23-24 - God Brings Princes to Nothing")). This grand portrayal of God's majesty provides the necessary backdrop for understanding how such a mighty God can condescend to empower the weak.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The primary audience for this message of comfort was the Jewish people enduring the Babylonian exile, a period of immense national despair, cultural upheaval, and spiritual weariness. They were a people stripped of their land, temple, and king, feeling abandoned and powerless. The Babylonian Empire, with its vast military might and impressive infrastructure, would have seemed an insurmountable force. In this context, the promise of God giving "power to the faint" directly addresses their profound sense of helplessness and exhaustion, offering hope that their God, unlike the gods of Babylon, was not limited by human circumstances or national defeat. The cultural understanding of strength often revolved around military might and physical prowess, making God's provision of strength to the "no might" a radical subversion of conventional power dynamics.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 40:29 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Isaiah. It powerfully articulates the theme of **God's Incomparable Greatness and Sovereignty**, contrasting His infinite power with human frailty. It highlights the theme of **Divine Compassion and Provision**, demonstrating God's active care for His weary and downtrodden people, particularly those who feel their strength has failed (cf. [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - Do Not Fear, For I Am With You")). Furthermore, it introduces the theme of **Renewal and Endurance through God**, which is further developed in the subsequent verse, [Isaiah 40:31](/isaiah/40-31 "Isaiah 40:31 - Waiting on the Lord Renews Strength"), where waiting on the Lord is presented as the means by which strength is renewed, enabling them to "mount up with wings as eagles."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **faint (Hebrew, _yâʻêph'_):** From the root meaning "to be fatigued," this word describes a state of utter weariness, exhaustion, or being faint. It implies a physical, emotional, or even spiritual depletion where one's own resources are completely drained. The use of this word emphasizes the human condition of profound weakness that God addresses.
* **might (Hebrew, _ʼôwn'_):** This term refers to ability, power, or strength, often in the sense of one's inherent capacity or resources. The phrase "no might" (literally "not might") signifies a complete absence of personal strength or capability. It underscores the absolute dependence of the individual on an external source for power, highlighting the depth of human inadequacy that God's intervention overcomes.
* **increaseth (Hebrew, _râbâh'_):** A primitive root meaning "to increase (in whatever respect)," "to multiply," or "to make great." This word suggests not merely a replenishment of lost strength, but an abundant, superabundant supply. God doesn't just restore what was lost; He provides an overflowing measure, indicating a dynamic and generous act of empowerment that goes beyond mere sufficiency.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He giveth power to the faint":** This clause establishes God as the active subject and the ultimate source of strength. The word "giveth" (H5414, _nâthan_) implies a free, intentional, and generous bestowal. The recipient is specifically identified as "the faint," those who are utterly weary and depleted. This highlights God's particular concern for the vulnerable and exhausted, demonstrating His compassion rather than His judgment towards their weakness.
* **"and to them that have no might he increaseth strength":** This second clause functions in parallel, reiterating and intensifying the promise. "Them that have no might" emphasizes a state of complete powerlessness, reinforcing the idea of absolute human inability. The verb "increaseth" (H7235, _râbâh_) signifies not just giving strength, but multiplying it, providing an abundance that surpasses the original need. The parallelism underscores the comprehensive nature of God's provision, addressing both the state of being faint and the complete lack of inherent power.

#### Literary Devices
The verse predominantly employs **Synonymous Parallelism**, a common feature in Hebrew poetry, where the second line reiterates and amplifies the thought of the first line using different but related words. "He giveth power to the faint" is paralleled by "to them that have no might he increaseth strength." This repetition emphasizes the core message of God's empowering action for the weak. There is also a clear **Contrast** between human frailty ("faint," "no might") and divine omnipotence ("giveth power," "increaseth strength"). This stark contrast magnifies the greatness of God's intervention. Furthermore, the verse implicitly uses **Metaphor** where "power" and "strength" are presented as tangible gifts that God bestows, making an abstract concept concrete and accessible to the weary listener.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 40:29 beautifully encapsulates the biblical truth that God's strength is made perfect in human weakness, a theme woven throughout Scripture. It challenges the human tendency to rely on self-sufficiency and instead calls for a radical dependence on the divine. This verse assures us that our limitations are not barriers to God's work but rather opportunities for His power to be displayed most clearly. It speaks to God's character as a compassionate Father who does not abandon His children in their weariness but actively intervenes to empower them for His purposes. This divine provision is not merely for physical endurance but extends to spiritual and emotional fortitude, enabling believers to persevere through trials and fulfill their calling.

* [2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Grace is Sufficient")
* [Psalm 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God Our Refuge and Strength")
* [Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - I Can Do All Things Through Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 40:29 offers profound solace and a powerful reorientation for anyone experiencing exhaustion—be it physical, emotional, or spiritual. In a world that often values self-reliance and constant striving, this verse reminds us that true strength is found not in our own reserves, but in our surrender to God. When we reach the end of our own capabilities, when we feel utterly "faint" and possess "no might," that is precisely the moment when God's infinite power is most available to us. This calls us to cultivate a posture of humility and dependence, recognizing our inherent limitations and turning to God as our ultimate source of renewal. It encourages us to rest in His sovereign care, knowing that He delights in empowering the weak to accomplish His will, transforming our weariness into a testimony of His inexhaustible grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you currently feel "faint" or "have no might"?**
* **How does the promise of God "increasing strength" challenge your natural tendency to push through exhaustion on your own?**
* **What practical steps can you take to lean more fully on God's strength when you feel depleted?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean God will always remove my weariness or give me physical strength?**

Answer: While God certainly can and often does provide physical and emotional strength, the primary emphasis of Isaiah 40:29 is on God's spiritual and inner empowerment, especially in the context of enduring trials and fulfilling His purposes. The "power" and "strength" God gives are not always the absence of difficulty, but the ability to persevere through it, to find resilience, and to maintain faith even when external circumstances remain challenging. It speaks to an inner fortitude that enables one to "run and not be weary, and walk and not faint" ([Isaiah 40:31](/isaiah/40-31 "Isaiah 40:31 - Waiting on the Lord Renews Strength")). This divine strength allows believers to face life's demands with supernatural capacity, whether that manifests as renewed physical energy or, more often, as spiritual endurance and peace in the midst of weakness, as seen in [2 Corinthians 12:9-10](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - God's Power in Weakness").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 40:29 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies God's power given to the faint. Jesus, though fully God, took on human weakness, enduring exhaustion, hunger, and the weight of humanity's sin, yet He never faltered in His mission, empowered by the Spirit (e.g., [Luke 4:14](/luke/4-14 "Luke 4:14 - Jesus Returns in the Power of the Spirit")). He is the empathetic High Priest who understands our weaknesses, having been tempted in every way, yet without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our Sympathetic High Priest")). Through His atoning work on the cross, Christ broke the power of sin and death, offering not just temporary strength but eternal life and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who is the source of all spiritual power for believers ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power of the Holy Spirit")). As believers, we are united with Christ, and His resurrection power now works within us, enabling us to do "all things through Christ who strengthens me" ([Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - I Can Do All Things Through Christ")). Thus, the promise of God increasing strength to the powerless is fulfilled in the new life we have in Christ, where His strength is made perfect in our weakness, allowing us to draw from His inexhaustible supply of grace and power for every challenge ([Ephesians 3:16](/ephesians/3-16 "Ephesians 3:16 - Strengthened by His Spirit")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.