Isaiah 40:30

KJV

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

KJV (with Strong's)

Even the youths {H5288} shall faint {H3286} and be weary {H3021}, and the young men {H970} shall utterly {H3782} fall {H3782}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Young men may grow tired and weary, even the fittest may stumble and fall;

Berean Standard Bible

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall.

American Standard Version

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 40:30 powerfully declares the inherent limitations of human strength and vitality, asserting that even the most vigorous and resilient individuals—youths and young men in their prime—are susceptible to exhaustion, weariness, and ultimate collapse. This verse serves as a stark counterpoint to the boundless and unwavering power of God, setting the stage for the profound promise of divine strength available to those who wait upon the Lord, as articulated in the subsequent verse. It underscores the universal reality of human frailty, regardless of age or physical prowess, and prepares the reader to embrace a posture of dependence on God's inexhaustible might.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 40:30 is embedded within the opening chapter of the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-55), a section that shifts from messages of judgment to profound consolation and hope for Israel, particularly in light of their impending Babylonian exile. The chapter begins with a call to "comfort, comfort my people" (/isaiah/40-1 "Isaiah 40:1 - A Call to Comfort"). Prior to verse 30, Isaiah 40 has meticulously established God's incomparable greatness, eternal nature, and omnipotence, contrasting His infinite power with the fleeting existence and weakness of humanity (e.g., [God's eternal power](/isaiah/40-28 "Isaiah 40:28 - God's Everlasting Power") and [His ability to strengthen the weak](/isaiah/40-29 "Isaiah 40:29 - God Gives Power to the Faint")). Verse 30 then acts as a climactic statement of human insufficiency, creating a dramatic tension that is resolved in the glorious promise of renewed strength for those who trust in the Lord in [Isaiah 40:31](/isaiah/40-31 "Isaiah 40:31 - The Promise of Renewed Strength"). This structure emphasizes that human weakness is a prerequisite for experiencing divine power.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Isaiah 40 was delivered to a people facing or enduring the trauma of exile, a period of profound national and spiritual despair. In ancient Israelite society, "youths" and "young men" (often translated as "chosen ones" or "warriors") represented the pinnacle of physical strength, vigor, and potential. They were the ones expected to endure hardship, perform strenuous labor, and serve in the military. To state that even *they* would faint and fall was a powerful, counter-intuitive assertion that challenged conventional wisdom and human pride. It spoke directly to a culture that valued physical prowess and self-reliance, highlighting that even the strongest human efforts would ultimately prove insufficient in the face of overwhelming challenges, mirroring Israel's own inability to save itself from its predicament. The message was designed to redirect their hope from human capabilities to God's unfailing power.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Isaiah 40 and the broader book. Firstly, it powerfully reinforces the theme of **Human Frailty and Limitation**, directly confronting the illusion of self-sufficiency. By stating that even the most robust individuals "shall faint and be weary, and... utterly fall," it underscores the universal reality that all human strength is finite and ultimately subject to decay. Secondly, it highlights the stark **Contrast Between Divine Power and Human Weakness**. This verse serves as a dramatic foil to the preceding descriptions of God's boundless energy and wisdom (as seen in [Isaiah 40:28](/isaiah/40-28 "Isaiah 40:28 - God's Unsearchable Understanding")) and His ability to impart strength to the weary (as promised in [Isaiah 40:29](/isaiah/40-29 "Isaiah 40:29 - God Strengthens the Weak")). Finally, it lays crucial groundwork for the theme of **Divine Sustenance and Spiritual Reliance**, setting the stage for the profound truth in [Isaiah 40:31](/isaiah/40-31 "Isaiah 40:31 - Waiting on the Lord for Strength") that true and enduring strength comes only from waiting upon and trusting in the Lord.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **youths (Hebrew, _naʻar'_):** From H5288, this term refers to a boy or young man, ranging from infancy to adolescence, and by implication, a servant. In this context, it signifies individuals in the early stages of their physical prime, embodying fresh energy, vitality, and potential. The use of "youths" emphasizes that even those at the beginning of their strength will eventually falter.
* **faint (Hebrew, _yâʻaph'_):** From H3286, this primitive root means "to tire (as if from wearisome flight)" or "to be weary." It conveys a sense of exhaustion, often implying a deep, debilitating fatigue that results from prolonged effort or struggle, leading to a loss of vigor and the inability to continue.
* **weary (Hebrew, _yâgaʻ'_):** From H3021, this root means "to gasp," and by extension, "to be exhausted, to tire, to toil." It speaks to the physical and mental strain of labor or exertion, resulting in a state of profound weariness. Paired with "faint," it intensifies the description of complete physical depletion.
* **fall (Hebrew, _kâshal'_):** From H3782, this primitive root means "to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall." The Hebrew construction "utterly fall" (a cognate accusative, _kashol yikkashelu_) uses the verb root twice for emphatic intensity, signifying a complete, irreversible collapse or stumbling. It's not just a trip, but a definitive, absolute failure to stand or proceed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Even the youths shall faint and be weary,"**: This clause highlights the surprising and counter-intuitive truth that even those typically considered to be at the peak of their physical strength and endurance—young individuals brimming with vitality—are not immune to the universal human experience of exhaustion and weariness. The terms "faint" and "weary" together paint a picture of profound physical and mental depletion, emphasizing that human energy, no matter how abundant, is finite.
* **"and the young men shall utterly fall:"**: This second clause intensifies the message by referring to "young men," a term often denoting those specifically chosen for their strength or vigor (e.g., for military service). The phrase "utterly fall" (a strong Hebrew idiom) signifies a complete and decisive collapse, not merely a stumble but a definitive failure to stand or proceed. This underscores the ultimate limitation of human power, suggesting that even the strongest and most capable will eventually reach a point of absolute failure without external aid.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 40:30 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Parallelism** is evident in the two clauses, where "youths" are paralleled with "young men," and "faint and be weary" with "utterly fall." This poetic structure reinforces the message by presenting it from slightly different angles, intensifying the truth that all human strength is finite. The use of **Hyperbole** or **Understatement** (depending on interpretation) is also present; by stating that *even* the strongest youth will fail, it emphasizes the universal nature of human weakness. The phrase "utterly fall" is a strong **Hebrew Idiom** (specifically a cognate accusative or infinitive absolute, _kashol yikkashelu_), which repeats the verb root for emphatic intensity. This device underscores the certainty and completeness of the collapse, leaving no doubt about the absolute failure of human self-reliance. Finally, the verse functions as a powerful **Contrast**, setting the stage for the divine strength promised in the following verse by first establishing the undeniable reality of human frailty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 40:30 serves as a crucial theological pivot, asserting the universal truth of human limitation and frailty in stark contrast to the boundless, inexhaustible power of God. Theologically, it reminds humanity that self-sufficiency is an illusion; our physical, mental, and spiritual reserves are finite, regardless of our age or perceived strength. This declaration is not meant to discourage but to humble, preparing the heart to recognize its desperate need for a power beyond itself. It highlights the wisdom of placing one's trust not in fleeting human capabilities, but in the eternal and unfailing strength of the Creator, who neither tires nor grows weary. This verse thus establishes the essential theological groundwork for understanding that true, enduring strength is a divine gift, not an inherent human capacity.

* [Psalm 33:16-17](/psalms/33-16 "Psalm 33:16-17 - No King is Saved by His Army")
* [Jeremiah 17:5](/jeremiah/17-5 "Jeremiah 17:5 - Cursed is the Man Who Trusts in Man")
* [2 Corinthians 12:9-10](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - God's Power Made Perfect in Weakness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 40:30 offers a profound and sobering truth that resonates deeply with the human experience. In a world that often celebrates self-reliance, personal achievement, and endless striving, this verse serves as a divine counter-narrative, reminding us that even our greatest strengths are ultimately finite. Whether we are in the physical prime of youth or grappling with the weariness of age, we will all encounter moments when our own resources fail. This truth should cultivate a spirit of humility within us, compelling us to acknowledge our inherent limitations and the futility of relying solely on our own capabilities. It challenges us to pause in our striving, to recognize that true, sustainable strength for life's demanding journey does not originate within us but must be drawn from an inexhaustible, divine source. This realization is not a call to passivity, but an invitation to actively depend on God, to surrender our perceived self-sufficiency, and to find our rest and renewal in His unending power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you tend to rely most heavily on your own strength, and how has that reliance proven insufficient?**
* **How does the truth that "even the youths shall faint and be weary" challenge your assumptions about human capability and self-sufficiency?**
* **What practical steps can you take to shift from relying on your own strength to actively waiting upon and depending on the Lord for renewal?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of mentioning "youths" and "young men" specifically in this verse?**

Answer: The mention of "youths" (Hebrew: _naʻar_) and "young men" (Hebrew: _bâchûwr_) is highly significant because these groups represent the peak of human physical strength, vigor, and endurance. In ancient society, they were the ones capable of great feats of labor, warfare, and resilience. By stating that *even* these most robust individuals will "faint and be weary" and "utterly fall," the verse makes a powerful point: if those at their physical prime are subject to exhaustion and failure, then no human being, regardless of their perceived strength or capability, is exempt from the universal reality of human limitation. This emphasizes that all human strength is finite and ultimately insufficient, setting the stage for the glorious contrast of God's infinite and unfailing power in [Isaiah 40:28](/isaiah/40-28 "Isaiah 40:28 - God's Unsearchable Understanding") and the promise of divine strength in [Isaiah 40:31](/isaiah/40-31 "Isaiah 40:31 - The Promise of Renewed Strength").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 40:30, in its stark declaration of human frailty, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in demonstrating Christ's weakness, but in highlighting His perfect, enduring strength and His role as the source of true spiritual sustenance for a weary humanity. While "youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall," Jesus Christ, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly endured every human limitation and temptation without faltering, ultimately laying down His life and taking it up again by His own divine power ([John 10:18](/john/10-18 "John 10:18 - Christ's Authority Over His Life")). He is the one who never grows "faint" or "weary" in His mission, even as He experienced the depths of human suffering on the cross ([Hebrews 12:3](/hebrews/12-3 "Hebrews 12:3 - Consider Him Who Endured")). For those who are weary and burdened by their own limitations and the weight of sin, Jesus extends the invitation to come to Him, promising rest for their souls ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Labor")). He is the divine strength that fills human weakness, transforming our inability into an opportunity for His power to be made perfect in us ([2 Corinthians 12:9-10](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - God's Strength in Weakness")). Thus, Isaiah 40:30 ultimately points to Christ as the only one who truly fulfills the need for inexhaustible strength and provides the spiritual renewal that humanity, in its inherent weakness, desperately craves.

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

Amos 2:14

Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself:

Psalms 34:10

The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good [thing].

Psalms 33:16

There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

Ecclesiastes 9:11

¶ I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race [is] not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

Isaiah 9:17

Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one [is] an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.

Isaiah 13:18

[Their] bows also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye shall not spare children.

Psalms 39:5

Behold, thou hast made my days [as] an handbreadth; and mine age [is] as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state [is] altogether vanity. Selah.