Isaiah 35:3 kjv
Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.
Isaiah 35:3 nkjv
Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees.
Isaiah 35:3 niv
Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way;
Isaiah 35:3 esv
Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.
Isaiah 35:3 nlt
With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands,
and encourage those who have weak knees.
Isaiah 35 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 40:31 | ...they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. | Strength from the Lord |
| Jeremiah 30:10 | Fear not, O Jacob my servant, nor be dismayed, O Israel, for behold, I will save you from far away... | Deliverance from oppression |
| Psalm 23:4 | Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me... | God's presence brings courage |
| Hebrews 12:12 | Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees... | Exhortation to courage |
| Matthew 11:5 | ...the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk... | Fulfillment in Jesus' ministry |
| Luke 1:74-75 | ...that we might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. | Redemption leading to fearless service |
| Philippians 4:13 | I can do all things through him who strengthens me. | Empowerment through Christ |
| 1 John 4:18 | There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear... | Love overcoming fear |
| Romans 8:31 | What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? | God's ultimate victory |
| Joshua 1:9 | Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. | Command to be strong and courageous |
| Isaiah 41:10 | Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. | God's promise of presence and strength |
| Isaiah 13:7 | Therefore all hands will fall, and every human heart will melt. | Contrast with divine power |
| Nahum 2:1 | The sacker has come up against you; guard the fortress; watch the road; gird your loins; collect all your strength. | Preparation for battle |
| Proverbs 3:5-6 | Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding... | Guidance through trust |
| John 16:33 | I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. | Overcoming worldly troubles |
| Romans 8:37 | No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. | Victory through love |
| Ephesians 6:10 | Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. | Spiritual warfare |
| Colossians 1:11 | May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience... | Spiritual strength for endurance |
| 1 Peter 5:10 | And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. | Restoration and establishment |
| Galatians 6:9 | Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. | Perseverance in good works |
| 2 Timothy 4:7 | I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. | Completing the spiritual race |
Isaiah 35 verses
Isaiah 35 3 Meaning
This verse is a prophetic call to strengthen the weak and encourage the fearful. It signifies a time of restoration and divine intervention, where God's power will bring about a radical transformation, overcoming all weakness and fear with courage and assurance.
Isaiah 35 3 Context
Chapter 35 of Isaiah depicts a future glorious transformation of the wilderness, turning it into a place of abundance and rejoicing. This prophetic vision follows pronouncements of judgment and exile. It is set in a context where the people of Israel have faced significant hardship and oppression, leading to despair and weakened spirits. The chapter signifies a complete reversal of fortune, brought about by God's direct action. The immediate context of verse 3 is the impending arrival of God, not just as a conqueror, but as a redeemer, who will personally come to save His people.
Isaiah 35 3 Word Analysis
- Strengthen (חִזְקוּ - chizku): This is a Hiphil imperative form of the verb חָזַק (chazaq), meaning "to be strong, to become strong, to strengthen, to be courageous." It's a call to action, an imperative command to fortify oneself and become resilient.
- the weak hands (יְדֵי־דַלִּים - yedei-dalim): "Yedei" is the construct plural of יָד (yad), meaning "hand." "Dalim" is the plural of דַּל (dal), meaning "weak, feeble, poor, needy." So, "hands of the weak" or "feeble hands." This refers to a lack of strength, inability to act, and helplessness.
- and (וְ־ literal ו): Connects the phrases, showing that both actions are to be done.
- make firm (אַמְּצוּ - am’tzu): This is an imperative form of the verb אָמַץ (amatz), also meaning "to be strong, to be courageous, to be firm, to be stout." It's a call to provide fortitude and steadfastness.
- the stumbling knees (בִּרְכַּיִם כּוֹשְׁלוֹת - birkayim kosh’lot): "Birkayim" is the plural of בִּרְכָּה (birkah), meaning "knee." "Kosh'lot" is the feminine plural participle of כָּשַׁל (kashal), meaning "to stumble, to totter, to fall, to fail." This vividly describes legs that are unsteady and prone to falling, indicating instability and loss of power.
Word Group Analysis:The pairing of "weak hands" and "stumbling knees" represents a comprehensive picture of physical and spiritual debilitation. Hands are associated with work and action, while knees are essential for movement and standing. By addressing both, the prophecy emphasizes that all aspects of human strength, from active capability to basic stability, need to be restored. The repeated imperative verbs ("strengthen," "make firm") underscore the necessity and urgency of this divine empowerment.
Isaiah 35 3 Bonus Section
The prophecy in Isaiah 35, including verse 3, is often interpreted through a dual lens: the immediate restoration of Israel from Babylonian exile, and the ultimate, eternal restoration through the Messiah. The empowerment described is not merely psychological; it’s a restorative power from God Himself. This is echoed in the New Testament, where spiritual weakness and the fear caused by sin and tribulation are overcome by the strength found in Christ. The parallel between strengthening "weak hands" and "stumbling knees" suggests a complete overhaul of one's being, enabling not just endurance but also confident action in faith. This speaks to a transformation that touches every part of a person's life.
Isaiah 35 3 Commentary
This verse is a powerful anticipation of messianic restoration. It doesn't merely call for encouragement, but a fundamental imparting of strength. It speaks to a supernatural infusion of power that enables those who are utterly depleted to stand and act. The imagery of strengthening feeble hands and firming unsteady knees highlights the depth of the people's despair, requiring a direct divine intervention to overcome. It mirrors Jesus' own ministry, where He restored physical and spiritual strength, enabling the weak to rise and walk. The ultimate fulfillment is seen in Christ’s work, providing believers with the spiritual fortitude to face any adversity.