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.
Isaiah 40:31 nkjv
But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 niv
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31 esv
but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 nlt
But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40 31 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 27:14 | Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! | Waiting with courage. |
| Lam 3:25-26 | The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him... | God's goodness to those who actively wait. |
| Psa 37:7 | Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him... | Patient reliance on God. |
| Psa 103:5 | ...who satisfies your desire with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. | Renewal likened to eagle's vitality. |
| Hab 2:3 | For still the vision awaits its appointed time... endure it... | Perseverance through waiting for God's timing. |
| Phil 4:13 | I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. | Christ as the source of strength. |
| 2 Cor 4:16 | ...though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. | Inner spiritual renewal. |
| Rom 8:25 | But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. | Hopeful, patient waiting. |
| Eph 3:16 | ...that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being. | Inner strengthening by the Spirit. |
| Heb 12:1 | ...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us... | Endurance in the Christian journey. |
| Deut 32:11 | Like an eagle that stirs up its nest... He spread His wings to catch them... | God's protective, caring 'eagle-like' action. |
| Ex 19:4 | 'You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians... how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.' | Divine deliverance and provision. |
| 1 Pet 5:10 | And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace... will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. | God's work of restoration and strengthening. |
| Matt 11:28-30 | Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. | Finding rest and renewal in Christ. |
| Gal 6:9 | And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap... | Not growing weary in spiritual service. |
| Isa 40:29 | He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength. | Immediate preceding context of divine power. |
| Psa 84:7 | They go from strength to strength... | Continuous growth in God's strength. |
| Prov 20:29 | The glory of young men is their strength... | Contrast of natural human strength vs. divine. |
| Jude 1:24 | Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling... | God's power to sustain. |
| Zech 4:6 | Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. | Source of strength is spiritual, not human. |
Isaiah 40 verses
Isaiah 40 31 Meaning
Isaiah 40:31 offers a profound promise of strength and renewal to those who actively trust in the Lord. It portrays a divine transformation of human frailty into supernatural endurance, enabling believers to overcome life's weariness and challenges with spiritual vigor, symbolized by the soaring flight of eagles and the sustained ability to run and walk without succumbing to exhaustion. This verse contrasts the limited power of humanity with the boundless, renewing power of God.
Isaiah 40 31 Context
Isaiah chapter 40 marks a significant shift in the book of Isaiah, moving from prophecies of judgment (chapters 1-39) to messages of comfort, hope, and restoration for God's people. This chapter begins with God's command to "Comfort, comfort my people" (Isa 40:1), addressing the exiles in Babylon and assuring them that their period of punishment is ending. The chapter contrasts God's eternal glory and power with human transience and weakness (Isa 40:6-8, 12-26). Immediately preceding verse 31, Isaiah 40:27-30 describes the lament of Judah, questioning if God sees their way or has forgotten them, and emphasizing that even "youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted." Verse 31 directly responds to this human weariness and despair by presenting God as the inexhaustible source of strength for those who turn to Him. Historically, the message offered hope to a nation experiencing profound disillusionment and exile, challenging their inclination to trust in human strength or idols.
Isaiah 40 31 Word analysis
- But: Hebrew wa- (ו) – A conjunction that functions adversatively, indicating a strong contrast to the previous verses (Isa 40:27-30) where even the strong and mighty grow weary and fall. It powerfully shifts the focus from human limitations to divine capacity.
- they who wait for the LORD: Hebrew qowe Yahweh (קוֹי יְהוָה).
- Qowe (קוֹי) from qavah (קָוָה): Does not mean passive idleness but active, expectant hope; to bind oneself together, to endure, to look for, to expect eagerly. It implies sustained, faithful reliance, a seeking of God's timing and intervention.
- Yahweh (יְהוָה): The sacred covenant name of God, revealing Him as the ever-present, faithful God who keeps His promises. It emphasizes a personal relationship and trust in His specific character.
- shall renew their strength: Hebrew yakhaliashu khoakh (יַחֲלִיפוּ כֹחַ).
- Yakhaliashu (יַחֲלִיפוּ) from khalaph (חָלַף): To replace, to change, to sprout again, to restore. It means a complete exchange of old, depleted strength for new, vital power. It's not a mere topping up, but a fresh, invigorated supply.
- Khoakh (כֹחַ): Strength, power, might, ability. Refers to both physical and spiritual vitality.
- they shall mount up: Hebrew yaʿalu (יַעֲלוּ) from alah (עָלָה): To ascend, go up, rise. Implies a triumphant elevation above the struggles and weariness of earthly existence.
- with wings like eagles: Hebrew khevar nesharim (כְנֶשֶׁרִים).
- Khevar (כְנֶשֶׁר): "like wings of eagles" (nesherim being plural of nesher, "eagle"). The eagle is a symbol of strength, majesty, swiftness, and endurance in soaring flight. It embodies high aspiration and a perspective above the common turmoil. In ancient Near Eastern thought, eagles were often associated with divine power (as seen in Deut 32:11, Ex 19:4 where God carries Israel on eagles' wings). This imagery suggests overcoming limitations, gaining divine perspective, and moving with effortless power.
- they shall run: Hebrew yarutzu (יָרוּצוּ) from rutz (רוּץ): To run, hurry, flow quickly. Signifies dynamic activity and progress in the faith journey.
- and not be weary: Hebrew we-lo yi'ph (וְלֹא יִיעָפוּ) from ya'aph (יָעַף): To grow weary, faint, be exhausted. Indicates an ongoing supply of energy that prevents spiritual and physical fatigue during challenging periods.
- they shall walk: Hebrew yelkhu (יֵלְכוּ) from halakh (הָלַךְ): To walk, go, journey. Represents the consistent, day-to-day spiritual journey, the steady progress of life.
- and not faint: Hebrew we-lo yihagu (וְלֹא יַעֲפִים) from ya'yiph (יָעַף): Similar to ya'aph, meaning to faint, become exhausted, lose heart. This phrase ensures sustained endurance even in the monotonous or difficult moments of daily life, preventing spiritual burnout or giving up.