Isaiah 40:31

KJV

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.

KJV (with Strong's)

But they that wait {H6960} upon the LORD {H3068} shall renew {H2498} their strength {H3581}; they shall mount up {H5927} with wings {H83} as eagles {H5404}; they shall run {H7323}, and not be weary {H3021}; and they shall walk {H3212}, and not faint {H3286}.

Complete Jewish Bible

but those who hope in ADONAI will renew their strength, they will soar aloft as with eagles' wings; when they are running they won't grow weary, when they are walking they won't get tired.

Berean Standard Bible

But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.

American Standard Version

but they that wait for Jehovah shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 40:31 offers a profound and enduring promise of divine empowerment and supernatural resilience to those who actively and patiently trust in the Lord. It assures that believers who maintain a posture of expectant reliance on God will experience a transformative renewal of strength, enabling them to transcend life's overwhelming challenges with the soaring perspective of eagles, to persevere through demanding endeavors without succumbing to exhaustion, and to maintain steadfast progress in their daily walk without faltering. This verse stands as a beacon of hope, powerfully contrasting inherent human frailty with God's inexhaustible might, and underscoring the profound, transformative power of a faith that is deeply reliant on divine provision.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 40 marks a pivotal and dramatic shift in the book of Isaiah, transitioning from prophecies dominated by judgment and condemnation (chapters 1-39) to a vibrant message of comfort, hope, and restoration for Israel, particularly in the anticipated context of their Babylonian exile. The chapter opens with the iconic divine command, [Comfort, comfort my people](/isaiah/40-1 "Isaiah 40:1 - God's Call to Comfort Israel"), says your God," immediately establishing a tone of profound divine compassion and a promise of future deliverance. The verses immediately preceding Isaiah 40:31 (e.g., [Isaiah 40:28-30](/isaiah/40-28-30 "Isaiah 40:28-30 - The Incomparable God")) meticulously lay out God's eternal nature, His omnipotence, His unfailing wisdom, His limitless power, contrasting these divine attributes with the inherent weakness, transience, and limited understanding of humanity. Verse 31 then serves as the triumphant and climactic conclusion to this grand exposition of God's incomparable greatness, directly applying His boundless power to the lived experience of His weary and despondent people, promising that those who trust exclusively in Him will partake in His strength and find true renewal.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecies contained within Isaiah 40-55 are often attributed to "Second Isaiah" and are widely understood to be addressed to the Jewish exiles in Babylon during the 6th century BCE. This community faced profound despair, spiritual exhaustion, and a crisis of faith, questioning God's faithfulness and the very possibility of their future. They were a people physically and spiritually depleted by prolonged captivity, yearning for restoration to their homeland and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. The vivid imagery of "eagles" would have resonated deeply with them as powerful symbols of strength, majesty, endurance, and the ability to soar above earthly struggles, providing a potent counterpoint to their current state of degradation. The promise of renewed strength, the capacity to run without weariness, and to walk without fainting, directly addresses the pervasive physical and emotional fatigue of a people enduring prolonged hardship and awaiting a seemingly distant deliverance. Crucially, the "LORD" (Yahweh) is presented as the only true and living God, infinitely superior to the impotent idols of Babylon, reinforcing the urgent call to exclusive trust and reliance upon Him alone.
* **Key Themes:** This pivotal verse encapsulates several major theological and narrative themes that are central not only to the book of Isaiah but also to the broader biblical narrative. Foremost among these is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Power**, as God is unequivocally portrayed as the ultimate, inexhaustible source of all strength, standing in stark contrast to the finite and fragile nature of human strength, a truth powerfully articulated earlier in [Isaiah 40:6-8](/isaiah/40-6-8 "Isaiah 40:6-8 - The Fading of Humanity"). The theme of **Hope and Trust in God** is paramount, emphasizing that an active, expectant reliance on Yahweh is the indispensable prerequisite for experiencing His supernatural provision and intervention. **Endurance and Perseverance** are also key concepts, as the vivid images of running and walking without weariness speak to the sustained strength and resilience needed for life's arduous journey, encompassing both extraordinary moments of intense effort and the mundane, continuous demands of daily existence. Finally, the overarching promise of **Restoration and Renewal** is deeply embedded within the verse, echoing the broader message of comfort, future deliverance, and spiritual revitalization for Israel found throughout the entirety of [Isaiah 40](/isaiah/40 "Isaiah 40 - God's Comfort and Power").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wait (Hebrew, _qâvâh'_):** This word (H6960) is a primitive root meaning "to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e. collect; (figuratively) to expect." In this profound context, "to wait upon the LORD" signifies far more than passive inactivity or mere patience. It implies an active, intentional posture of binding oneself to God, clinging to Him with unwavering, expectant hope. It means to look to Him with persistent trust, to gather one's hope and focus upon Him, and to patiently endure while confidently anticipating His sovereign intervention and provision. It encapsulates a dynamic, confident reliance and a hopeful, active expectation of God's perfect timing and limitless power.
* **Renew (Hebrew, _châlaph'_):** This word (H2498) is a primitive root meaning "to slide by, i.e. (by implication) to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce or change." Here, it signifies a fresh, vigorous, and transformative exchange of strength. It is not merely a replenishment or a slight boost, but a complete replacement or a new springing forth of vigor. This suggests that the old, depleted, and insufficient human strength is exchanged for a divine, fresh, and inexhaustible power, indicating a radical, qualitative change.
* **Eagles (Hebrew, _nesher'_):** This word (H5404) specifically refers to the eagle or other large bird of prey. In ancient Near Eastern cultures and throughout biblical texts, eagles are universally renowned for their immense strength, their exceptionally keen vision, their remarkable ability to soar to breathtaking heights, and their impressive longevity. The powerful imagery of "mounting up with wings as eagles" vividly evokes a sense of rising effortlessly above earthly limitations, gaining a transcendent and divine perspective on circumstances, and being lifted by an unseen, supernatural power—much like an eagle effortlessly rides thermal currents to ascend to great altitudes without expending its own energy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength":** This foundational clause establishes both the prerequisite and the primary, overarching promise of the verse. "Waiting upon the LORD" (as meticulously defined above) describes the active, hopeful, and dependent posture of faith. The promise is a radical "renewal" of strength, indicating a fresh, vigorous, and supernatural impartation of divine power that fundamentally replaces or transforms inherent human weakness and weariness.
* **"they shall mount up with wings as eagles":** This is the first of three vivid, progressive illustrations of the renewed strength. The powerful imagery of eagles soaring effortlessly to great heights symbolizes the believer's ability to rise above overwhelming difficulties, to gain a divine and elevated perspective on their trials, and to experience a profound, transcendent freedom from earthly burdens, all powered by the Spirit of God.
* **"they shall run, and not be weary":** This second illustration speaks to sustained, vigorous, and demanding activity. Running requires significant physical and mental effort and, for humans, inevitably leads to exhaustion. However, those empowered by God will be able to engage in intense and challenging endeavors, whether spiritual or practical, without succumbing to fatigue, signifying divine enablement for active service, sustained effort, and perseverance through arduous periods.
* **"and they shall walk, and not faint":** The final illustration represents the steady, consistent, and often mundane endurance required for daily life. Walking is the most common and continuous mode of human existence, signifying the ordinary, continuous journey of life. The promise here is for strength for the long haul, the ability to maintain consistent progress, to keep going faithfully without collapsing or giving up under the cumulative weight of daily pressures, disappointments, or prolonged trials.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 40:31 is exceptionally rich in **Imagery**, painting vivid and memorable pictures of renewed strength through the powerful metaphors of soaring **eagles**, vigorous **running**, and steadfast **walking**. The eagle imagery, in particular, functions as a potent **Metaphor** for transcendence, divine perspective, and effortless power, standing in stark contrast to the inherent limitations and weariness of humanity. The verse also skillfully employs **Parallelism** in its descriptions of endurance: "they shall run, and not be weary" is precisely paralleled by "and they shall walk, and not faint." This rhetorical device effectively emphasizes the comprehensive and all-encompassing nature of God's provision—His strength is sufficient for both intense, demanding periods and for the sustained, ordinary, and often monotonous demands of daily life. Furthermore, there is a clear **Climax** or progressive intensification in the imagery, moving from the extraordinary act of soaring like an eagle (representing moments of divine elevation), to the vigorous act of running (representing periods of intense effort), and finally to the steady, enduring act of walking (representing consistent, daily perseverance). This progression powerfully underscores that God's strength is not only sufficient but perfectly tailored for all levels and seasons of human experience, from the most challenging and exhilarating to the most mundane and persistent.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse deeply connects to the fundamental biblical understanding of God's character as the inexhaustible source of all power, the ultimate sustainer of His creation, and the faithful provider for His people. It powerfully reinforces the theological truth that human strength is inherently finite, prone to depletion, and ultimately destined to fail, whereas divine strength is infinite, perfectly sufficient, and eternally unfailing. The act of "waiting upon the LORD" is presented not as passive idleness or a mere biding of time, but as an active, dynamic posture of faith, profound trust, and absolute dependence. This posture serves as the essential conduit through which God's supernatural, transformative power flows into and permeates human experience. This divine enablement allows believers to transcend their natural limitations, to live victoriously amidst adversity, and to faithfully endure through all seasons of life, thereby demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises even in times of profound weakness, weariness, or despair.

* [Psalm 27:14](/psalms/27-14 "Psalm 27:14 - Wait on the LORD with Courage")
* [Lamentations 3:25-26](/lamentations/3-25-26 "Lamentations 3:25-26 - Good to Wait for the Lord")
* [Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - Strength in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 40:31 offers profound and timeless encouragement for every believer navigating the complexities, demands, and often overwhelming challenges of life. It serves as a vital reminder that our personal reserves of strength—be they physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual—are inherently limited and will, at some point, inevitably deplete. In a world that relentlessly pressures us towards self-sufficiency, relentless striving, and constant activity, this verse calls us to embrace a counter-cultural and counter-intuitive posture of active dependence on God. To "wait upon the LORD" means to intentionally pause from our striving, to surrender our anxieties, burdens, and perceived control, and to fix our hope, expectation, and entire reliance on Him alone. It is precisely in this posture of humble, expectant reliance that God supernaturally intervenes, exchanging our weariness for His boundless energy, enabling us to soar above seemingly overwhelming circumstances, to run the race of faith with renewed vigor and purpose, and to walk steadfastly through every day without succumbing to despair or giving up. This divine promise empowers us not to avoid life's challenges, but to face them with a strength that is demonstrably not our own, thereby revealing the living reality of God's power made perfect in our weakness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "waiting upon the LORD" practically look like in the specific context of your current daily life and responsibilities?**
* **In what particular areas of your life—physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual—do you currently feel most weary or prone to faint, and how might you intentionally invite God to renew His strength in those areas?**
* **How does the powerful imagery of "mounting up with wings as eagles" challenge or inspire your perspective on the most difficult or seemingly insurmountable challenges you are currently facing?**
* **Beyond simply praying, what concrete, practical steps can you take this week to cultivate a deeper, more active, and consistent reliance on God's inexhaustible strength rather than on your own finite resources?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean to "wait upon the LORD" in Isaiah 40:31?**

Answer: To "wait upon the LORD" (Hebrew: *qâvâh*) in Isaiah 40:31 signifies much more than passive inactivity, mere patience, or simply biding one's time. It implies a dynamic, active, expectant, and hopeful posture of profound reliance and trust in God. The root meaning of *qâvâh* suggests "to bind together" or "to collect," which, when applied spiritually, means to actively bind oneself to the Lord, to gather all one's hope and focus upon Him, and to look to Him with confident anticipation. It involves patiently enduring while fully depending on His perfect timing, His infinite wisdom, and His sovereign power to act on one's behalf. It is a dynamic spiritual discipline of surrendering personal control, fixing one's hope on God's unwavering faithfulness, and allowing Him to be the exclusive source of strength, direction, and provision, especially when human resources are utterly exhausted. This active, hopeful waiting is presented as the indispensable prerequisite for experiencing the promised supernatural renewal of strength. The profound concept of waiting on the Lord is echoed in other significant biblical passages, such as [Psalm 27:14](/psalms/27-14 "Psalm 27:14 - Wait on the LORD") and [Lamentations 3:25-26](/lamentations/3-25-26 "Lamentations 3:25-26 - Good to Wait for the Lord"), where waiting is intrinsically linked with hope, seeking God, and experiencing His goodness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 40:31 finds its ultimate, most profound, and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is not merely the embodiment of God's strength but the very source and dispenser of the supernatural renewal promised to those who wait upon the Lord. While the Old Testament saints waited for the long-promised Messiah and the restoration He would usher in, believers under the New Covenant "wait upon" the Lord by placing their complete faith and trust in Christ, who has already accomplished the perfect work of salvation on the cross. The strength to "mount up with wings as eagles" is powerfully provided by the indwelling Holy Spirit, whom Christ poured out upon His church at Pentecost [Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1-4 "Acts 2:1-4 - The Day of Pentecost"). Through our union with Christ, we are declared a "new creation" [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ"), and we are given the divine power to "run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith" [Hebrews 12:1-2](/hebrews/12-1-2 "Hebrews 12:1-2 - Running the Race with Jesus"). He is the one who enables us to confidently declare, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" [Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - Strength in Christ"), empowering us to walk steadfastly through life's most arduous trials without fainting, knowing intimately that His "power is made perfect in weakness" [2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Grace is Sufficient"). Thus, the promise of renewed strength in Isaiah 40:31 is not merely a poetic ideal or a distant hope but a living, dynamic reality for all those whose hope, trust, and very being are anchored in the finished work, the resurrected life, and the indwelling Spirit of Christ Jesus.

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

Lamentations 3:25

The LORD [is] good unto them that wait for him, to the soul [that] seeketh him.

Lamentations 3:26

[It is] good that [a man] should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

2 Corinthians 4:16

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward [man] is renewed day by day.

Psalms 103:5

Who satisfieth thy mouth with good [things; so that] thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalms 27:13

[I had fainted], unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Psalms 27:14

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

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.