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 promise of divine empowerment and endurance to those who actively and patiently trust in the Lord. It assures that believers who wait upon God will experience a supernatural renewal of strength, enabling them to transcend life's challenges with the soaring perspective of eagles, to persevere through demanding endeavors without exhaustion, and to maintain steadfast progress in their daily walk without faltering. This verse serves as a beacon of hope, contrasting human frailty with God's inexhaustible might, and highlighting the transformative power of a reliant faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 40 marks a pivotal shift in the book of Isaiah, moving from prophecies of judgment (chapters 1-39) to messages of comfort, hope, and restoration for Israel, particularly in the context of their Babylonian exile. This chapter opens with the iconic call to "Comfort, comfort my people" [Isaiah 40:1](/isaiah/40-1 "Isaiah 40:1 - Comfort for Israel"), establishing a tone of divine compassion and future deliverance. The preceding verses (e.g., [Isaiah 40:28-30](/isaiah/40-28 "Isaiah 40:28-30 - God's Incomparable Power")) emphasize God's eternal nature, omnipotence, and unfailing wisdom, contrasting His limitless power with the inherent weakness and transience of humanity. Verse 31 then serves as the triumphant conclusion to this exposition of God's incomparable greatness, directly applying His power to the experience of His weary people, promising that those who trust Him will partake in His strength.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecies in Isaiah 40-55 are often referred to as "Second Isaiah" and are believed to be addressed to the Jewish exiles in Babylon during the 6th century BCE. This community faced profound despair, questioning God's faithfulness and their own future. They were a people physically and spiritually exhausted by captivity, longing for restoration to their homeland. The imagery of "eagles" would have resonated with them as symbols of strength, majesty, and endurance, capable of soaring above earthly struggles. The promise of renewed strength, the ability to run without weariness, and to walk without fainting, directly addresses the physical and emotional fatigue of a people enduring prolonged hardship and awaiting a seemingly distant deliverance. The "LORD" (Yahweh) is presented as the only true God, superior to the impotent idols of Babylon, reinforcing the call to exclusive trust in Him.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several major themes prevalent in Isaiah and the broader biblical narrative. Central among them is **Divine Sovereignty and Power**, as God is portrayed as the ultimate source of strength, contrasting with human frailty (as seen in [Isaiah 40:6-8](/isaiah/40-6 "Isaiah 40:6-8 - The Fading of Humanity")). The theme of **Hope and Trust in God** is paramount, emphasizing that active reliance on Yahweh is the prerequisite for experiencing His supernatural provision. **Endurance and Perseverance** are also key, as the images of running and walking without weariness speak to the sustained strength needed for life's journey, both in extraordinary moments and in the daily grind. Finally, the promise of **Restoration and Renewal** is deeply embedded, echoing the broader message of comfort and future deliverance for Israel found throughout [Isaiah 40](/isaiah/40 "Isaiah 40 - God's Comfort for Israel").

### 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." It implies far more than passive inactivity. To "wait upon the LORD" means to actively bind oneself to Him, to cling to Him with expectant hope, to look to Him with persistent trust, and to patiently endure while anticipating His intervention and provision. It signifies a confident, active reliance and a hopeful anticipation of God's timing and 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." In this context, it signifies a fresh, vigorous, and transformative exchange of strength. It's not merely a replenishment but a complete replacement or a new springing forth of vigor, suggesting that the old, depleted strength is exchanged for a divine, fresh power.
* **Eagles (Hebrew, _nesher'_):** This word (H5404) refers to the eagle or other large bird of prey. Eagles are renowned in ancient Near Eastern cultures and biblical texts for their strength, keen vision, ability to soar to great heights, and long lifespan. The imagery of "mounting up with wings as eagles" evokes a sense of rising above earthly limitations, gaining a transcendent perspective, and being lifted by an unseen power—much like an eagle effortlessly rides thermal currents to ascend.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength":** This foundational clause establishes the condition and the primary promise. "Waiting upon the LORD" (as explained above) is the active, hopeful reliance on God. The promise is a radical "renewal" of strength, suggesting a fresh, vigorous, and supernatural impartation of power that replaces human weakness.
* **"they shall mount up with wings as eagles":** This is the first of three vivid illustrations of the renewed strength. The imagery of eagles soaring effortlessly to great heights symbolizes rising above difficulties, gaining a divine perspective, and experiencing a transcendent freedom from earthly burdens, powered by God's Spirit.
* **"they shall run, and not be weary":** This second illustration speaks to sustained, vigorous activity. Running requires significant effort and leads to exhaustion for humans. However, those empowered by God will be able to engage in demanding endeavors without succumbing to fatigue, signifying divine enablement for active service and perseverance through challenging periods.
* **"and they shall walk, and not faint":** The final illustration represents the steady, day-to-day endurance. Walking is the most common mode of life, signifying the mundane, continuous journey. The promise is strength for the long haul, the ability to maintain consistent progress, to keep going without collapsing under the weight of daily pressures, disappointments, or prolonged trials.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 40:31 is rich in **Imagery**, painting vivid pictures of renewed strength through the metaphors of soaring **eagles**, **running**, and **walking**. The eagle imagery, in particular, is a powerful **Metaphor** for transcendence, divine perspective, and effortless power, contrasting sharply with human weariness. The verse also employs **Parallelism** in its descriptions of endurance: "run, and not be weary" is paralleled by "walk, and not faint." This rhetorical device emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's provision—strength for both intense, demanding periods and for the sustained, ordinary demands of life. Furthermore, there is a clear **Climax** or progression in the imagery, moving from the extraordinary act of soaring like an eagle, to the vigorous act of running, and finally to the steady, enduring act of walking. This progression underscores that God's strength is sufficient for all levels 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 biblical understanding of God's character as the inexhaustible source of all power and the ultimate sustainer of His people. It reinforces the theological truth that human strength is finite and prone to failure, but divine strength is infinite and perfectly sufficient. The act of "waiting upon the LORD" is presented not as passive idleness but as an active posture of faith, trust, and dependence, which is the conduit through which God's supernatural power flows into human experience. This divine enablement allows believers to transcend their natural limitations, live victoriously, and faithfully endure through all seasons of life, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant promises even in times of profound weakness or despair.

* [Psalm 27:14](/psalms/27-14 "Psalm 27:14 - Wait on the LORD")
* [Lamentations 3:25-26](/lamentations/3-25 "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 encouragement for every believer navigating the complexities and demands of life. It serves as a vital reminder that our personal reserves of strength—physical, emotional, and spiritual—are inherently limited and will eventually deplete. In a world that often pressures us to rely on self-sufficiency and relentless striving, this verse calls us to a counter-cultural posture of active dependence on God. To "wait upon the LORD" means to intentionally pause, to surrender our anxieties and burdens, and to fix our hope and expectation on Him alone. It is in this posture of humble reliance that God supernaturally intervenes, exchanging our weariness for His boundless energy, enabling us to soar above overwhelming circumstances, to run the race of faith with renewed vigor, and to walk steadfastly through every day without succumbing to despair. This promise empowers us not to avoid challenges, but to face them with a strength that is not our own, demonstrating the living reality of God's power in our weakness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "waiting upon the LORD" practically look like in your daily life?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you currently feel weary or faint, and how might you invite God to renew your strength in those areas?**
* **How does the imagery of "mounting up with wings as eagles" challenge or inspire your perspective on current difficulties?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper, more active reliance on God's strength rather than your own?**

### 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 means much more than passive inactivity or simply biding time. It implies an active, expectant, and hopeful posture of reliance and trust in God. It suggests binding oneself to the Lord, looking to Him with confident anticipation, and patiently enduring while fully depending on His timing, wisdom, and power to act. It's a dynamic spiritual discipline of surrendering control, fixing one's hope on God's faithfulness, and allowing Him to be the source of strength and direction, especially when human resources are exhausted. This active waiting is the prerequisite for experiencing the promised renewal of strength. The concept is echoed in other passages like [Psalm 27:14](/psalms/27-14 "Psalm 27:14 - Wait on the LORD") and [Lamentations 3:25-26](/lamentations/3-25 "Lamentations 3:25-26 - Good to Wait for the Lord"), where waiting is linked with hope and seeking the Lord.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 40:31 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of God's strength and the very source of the renewal promised to those who wait upon the Lord. While the Old Testament saints waited for the coming Messiah and the restoration He would bring, believers in the New Covenant "wait upon" the Lord by placing their faith in Christ, who has already accomplished salvation. The strength to "mount up with wings as eagles" is provided by the Holy Spirit, whom Christ poured out on His church [Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1 "Acts 2:1-4 - The Day of Pentecost"). Through Christ, we are given a "new creation" [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ") and the power to "run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus" [Hebrews 12:1-2](/hebrews/12-1 "Hebrews 12:1-2 - Running the Race"). He is the one who enables us to "do all things through Christ who strengthens me" [Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - Strength in Christ"), empowering us to walk through life's trials without fainting, knowing 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 but a living reality for those whose hope and trust are anchored in the finished work and 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.