Isaiah 40:29 — Word Study
WLCנֹתֵ֥ן לַיָּעֵ֖ף כֹּ֑חַ וּלְאֵ֥ין אוֹנִ֖ים עָצְמָ֥ה יַרְבֶּֽה׃
BSAHe givesnâthan [supplies, grants] powerkôach [strength, might] to the faintyâʻêph [weary, exhausted] and increasesrâbâh▸ [multiplies, grows] ◂the strengthʻotsmâh [power, might, oz] of the weakʼayin [powerless, having no might, ein koach]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| נֹתֵ֥ן | [he is] giving | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| לַיָּעֵ֖ף | to the weary [person] | Preposition |
| כֹּ֑חַ | strength | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וּלְאֵ֥ין | and to [those who] there not | Conjunction, preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| אוֹנִ֖ים | [is] power | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| עָצְמָ֥ה | strength | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| יַרְבֶּֽה׃ | he increases | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect third person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak. |
| KJV | He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. |
| ASV | He giveth power to the faint; and to him that hath no might he increaseth strength. |
| YLT | He is giving power to the weary, And to those not strong He increaseth might. |
| WEB | He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might. |
| BBE | He gives power to the feeble, increasing the strength of him who has no force. |
Where they part company is in the translation of the verbs; see How Translations Differ.
The sentence consists of two main clauses connected by 'and', each with its own prepositional and noun phrases.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאוֹן
verbנָתַן
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Isaiah 40:29
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Comfort for God’s Peoplegenerated
Isaiah 40:29 is part of a passage that speaks to the weariness of people and God’s promise to provide strength. It assures those who feel exhausted that God actively gives power and increases strength, contrasting human frailty with divine support. This theme continues in the following verses, emphasizing renewal for those who wait on the Lord.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 41:10 | Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness. |
| 2 | Genesis 49:24 | Yet he steadied his bow, and his strong arms were tempered by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, in the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 33:25 | May the bolts of your gate be iron and bronze, and may your strength match your days.” |
| 4 | Psalm 29:11 | The LORD gives His people strength; the LORD blesses His people with peace. |
| 5 | Zechariah 10:12 | I will strengthen them in the LORD, and in His name they will walk,” declares the LORD. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — נֹתֵ֥ן, no.Tengenerated
The word נֹתֵן (no.Ten) is a participle meaning '[he is] giving', derived from the root natan, which means to give, put, or set something. It encompasses a wide range of applications, indicating actions like bestowing or delivering. In this verse, it shows God's active role in supplying strength to those in need.
The participle form emphasizes the ongoing action of giving, presenting God as continually providing power to the weary. This highlights the nature of God's support as both immediate and sustaining.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb נֹתֵ֥ן (no.Ten) governs the sentence, indicating the action of giving. The structure includes a prepositional phrase indicating to whom the power is given, followed by a noun phrase that specifies the strength being increased.
The sentence emphasizes God's active role through the use of the participle, establishing a clear subject-verb relationship that highlights the divine action.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates נֹתֵ֥ן as διδοὺς (didous), which also means 'giving'. This choice reflects a direct correspondence to the Hebrew meaning, maintaining the emphasis on God's ongoing action.
The Greek word ἰσξὺν is used for strength, aligning with the Hebrew כֹּחַ (koach), indicating a consistent understanding of divine strength across translations.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Isaiah 40:29 tells us that God gives power to those who are weary and increases the strength of those who feel weak. This verse reassures us that even when we feel exhausted, God actively provides the support we need.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that God actively provides strength and support to those who feel tired and worn out.
God multiplies and grows their strength, enabling them to endure and overcome challenges.
Understanding that God provides strength helps us rely on Him during difficult times and encourages us to seek His support.
You can pray and ask God for strength, remember His promises, and seek support from others, knowing that He is there to help you.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I feel weary, and how can I seek God's strength in those moments?
- How can I remind myself of God's promise to provide power when I feel exhausted?
- What practical steps can I take to support others who may be feeling weak or faint?
- How does waiting on the Lord renew my strength, as mentioned in the following verses?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Isaiah 40:29 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHe giveth power to the faint,.... Who are ready to faint under afflictions, because they have not immediate deliverance, or their prayers are not answered at once, or promises not fulfilled as they
Read John Gill on Isaiah 40 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHe giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. He giveth power to the faint - Not only does He 'not faint' (Isaiah 40:28), but He gives power to them who do faint.
Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 40 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHe hath strength enough not only for himself, but for all, even the weakest of his creatures, whom he can easily strengthen to bear all their burdens, and to vanquish all their oppressors.
Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 40 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsIsaiah 40:29 He giveth power to the faint; and to [them that have] no might he increaseth strength.Ver. 29. He giveth power to the faint.] How then should he himself faint? or why should any good man’ s heart fail him? The Jews among their benedictions (whereof they are bound to say a hundred every day), have this for one, Blessed be God who giveth power to the faint.
Read John Trapp on Isaiah 40 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(29) He giveth power to the faint . . .—i.e., to them pre-eminently—their very consciousness of weakness being the condition of their receiving strength. (Comp. Matthew 5:6; Luke 1:52-53; Luke 6:21.)
Read Charles John Ellicott on Isaiah 40 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges27–31. The prophet now turns to his own people, drawing the lesson of hope and encouragement which lies in the true doctrine of God. Jehovah, whom Israel still calls “my God” (Isaiah 40:27), is eternal and unchangeable, of infinite power and discernment (28), and the source of strength to those who have none in themselves (29) if only they will wait on Him in faith (31).
Read Cambridge on Isaiah 40 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHe giveth power to the faint - To his weak and feeble people. This is one of his attributes; and his people, therefore, should put their trust in him, and look to him for aid (compare 2 Corinthians 12:9).
Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 40 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible29. He giveth power — So far from becoming faint himself, as the God of power and wisdom he giveth strength to the fainthearted always.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Isaiah 40 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak.
He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might.
He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak.
He gives strength to those who are tired; to the ones who lack power, he gives renewed energy.
Tyndale line
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
He giveth power to the faint; and to him that hath no might he increaseth strength.
He giveth power to the faint; and to him that hath no might he increaseth strength.
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
But he giueth strength vnto him that fainteth, and vnto him that hath no strength, he encreaseth power.
Strictly literal
He giveth power to the faint; and to him that hath no might he increaseth strength.
He is giving power to the weary, And to those not strong He increaseth might.
He is giving power to the weary, || And to those not strong He increases might.
He giveth to the faint strength; and to the powerless he imparteth much might.
He gives strength to the tired; and to the weak he gives renewed energy.
From the Latin
It is he that giveth strength to the weary, and increaseth force and might to them that are not.
Simplified
He gives strength to the weary and power to the powerless.
He gives power to the feeble, increasing the strength of him who has no force.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Dead Sea Scrolls — 1Qisaa agree closely, with only minor variations in wording. Both texts convey the same message of God giving strength to the weary and increasing power for the weak.
נֹתֵ֥ן לַיָּעֵ֖ף כֹּ֑חַ וּלְאֵ֥ין אוֹנִ֖ים עָצְמָ֥ה יַרְבֶּֽה׃
4 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
הנותן ליעף כוח ולאין אונים עוצמה ירבה
7 words on the leather.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Isaiah 40:29
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word נָתַן (natan) means 'to give' and encompasses a wide range of applications such as putting, setting, and making. It can also indicate actions like bestowing, delivering, and assigning. The entries describe its use in various forms, including Qal, Niphal, and Hophal, but do not present any significant disagreements among lexicons.
נָתַן 2007 vb. give, put, set
Qal 1917
give
Put, set
Make, constitute
Niph.
82be given
Be put, set
Hoph.
be given, bestowed
= be given to one for wife
be put upon
base
H5414 נָתַן give, put, set .. give
. Put, set
. Make, constitute
. . be given
. Be put, set
. . . be given, bestowed
. = be given to one for wife
. be put upon
5414 nathan naw-than'
a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of
application (put, make, etc.):--add, apply, appoint, ascribe,
assign, X avenge, X be ((healed)), bestow, bring (forth,
hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, +
cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, X doubtless, X
without fail, fasten, frame, X get, give (forth, over, up),
grant, hang (up), X have, X indeed, lay (unto charge, up),
(give) leave, lend, let (out), + lie, lift up, make, + O that,
occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, X
pull , put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send
(out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), + sing, + slander,
strike, (sub-)mit, suffer, X surely, X take, thrust, trade,
turn, utter, + weep, + willingly, + withdraw, + would (to)
God, yield.
נָתַן (na.tan) — to give: give.
: give/deliver/send/produce
1) to give, put, set
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend
1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate
1a3) to make, constitute
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned
1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted
1c) (Hophal)
1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up
1c2) to be put upon
נָתַן (na.tan) — to give: put.
: put/set/apppoint
1) to give, put, set
1a) (Qal)
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
יָעֵף (ya`ph) means weary or faint, indicating a state of fatigue. It is derived from a related root and covers the idea of being exhausted. The entries consistently describe this word as conveying weariness without significant disagreement among the lexicons.
יָעֵף adj. weary, faint
base
H3287 יָעֵף weary, faint
3287 ya`ph yaw-afe';
from 3286; fatigued; figuratively, exhausted:--faint, weary.
see HEBREW for 03286
יָעֵף (ya.eph) — weary.
faint, weary, fatigued
Prep | Adj — PrepositionHRd/Aamsa
כֹּחַ (koach) refers to both a small reptile, likely a type of lizard, and the concepts of strength and power. The entries highlight its use in contexts of human and divine strength, as well as its association with wealth and capacity. Notably, it appears in Leviticus 11:30 regarding unclean animals.
כֹּחַ n.[m.] a small reptile, prob. a kind of lizard, in list of unclean creeping things Lv 11:30; chameleon
ref
כֹּחַ and כּוֹחַ n.m. strength, power
base
H3581a כֹּחַ a small reptile, prob. a kind of lizard, in list of unclean creeping things; chameleon H3581b כֹּחַ and כּוֹחַ strength, power
3581 koach ko'-akh
or (Dan. 11:6) kowach {ko'-akh}; from an unused root meaning
to be firm; vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense)
or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its
hardiness) a large lizard: -ability, able, chameleon, force,
fruits, might, power(-ful), strength, substance, wealth.
כֹּחַ (ko.ach) — reptile.
1) a small reptile, probably a kind of lizard, which is unclean
1a) perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning is unknown
כֹּחַ (ko.ach) — strength.
1) strength, power, might
1a) human strength
1b) strength (of angels)
1c) power (of God)
1d) strength (of animals)
1e) strength, produce, wealth (of soil)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
→ A title given to Jehovah 1Sa 15:29
אַ֫יִן (ayin) primarily means 'nothing' or 'nought' and serves as a negative particle indicating absence or negation, such as 'is not' or 'there is not.' It can also express lack of possession or existence. The word is derived from a root meaning to be non-existent, and it appears frequently in various grammatical constructions.
אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought
to nothing, as nothing
cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not
אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not
in circumst. clauses
with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …
with prefixes
base
H369 אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought . to nothing, as nothing
. cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not
. אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not
. in circumst. clauses
. with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …
. with prefixes
369 'ayin ah'-yin
as if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not
exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative
particle:--else, except, fail, (father-)less, be gone,
in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any,
thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable),
well-nigh, without. Compare 370.
see HEBREW for 0370
אַ֫יִן (a.yin) — nothing.
1) nothing, not, nought n
1a) nothing, nought neg
1b) not
1c) to have not (of possession) adv
1d) without w/prep
1e) for lack of
Conj | Prep | Part — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHC/R/Ncmsc
אוֹן (on) encompasses concepts of strength, vigor, and wealth. It is built from the idea of effort leading to success, indicating not just physical might but also generative power and material wealth. The term appears in contexts relating to both human strength and resources.
אוֹן n.m. vigour, wealth
manly vigor
strength
wealth
base
H202 אוֹן vigour, wealth . manly vigor
. strength
. wealth
202 'own one
probably from the same as 205 (in the sense of effort, but
successful); ability, power, (figuratively) wealth:--force,
goods, might, strength, substance.
see HEBREW for 0205
אוֹן (on) — strength.
1) vigour, generative power
2) wealth
3) physical strength (of men and behemoth)
HNcmpa — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
pou'-er: This word, indicative of might, strength, force, is used in the Old Testament to render very many Hebrew terms, the translation in numerous instances being varied in the Revised Version (British and American) to words like "valor," "rule," "strength," "might," "dominion." The principal words for "power" in the New Testament are dunamis, and exousia. In the latter case the Revised Version (British and American) frequently changes to "authority" (Mr 3:15; 6:7; Eph 1:21, etc.) or "right" (Ro 9:21; 1Co 9:6; 2Th 3:9, etc.). Power is attributed preeminently to God (1Ch…
For the use of this word in 1Co 11:10, see VEIL.
עָצְמָה (otsmah) is a feminine noun meaning might or strength. It conveys the idea of powerfulness and can also refer to abundance or numerousness. The word appears in Isaiah 40:29, where it emphasizes the concept of divine strength.
עָצְמָה n.f. might;—Is 40:29
ref
H6109 עָצְמָה might
6109 `otsmah ots-maw'
feminine of 6108; powerfulness; by extension,
numerousness:--abundance, strength.
see HEBREW for 06108
עׇצְמָה (ots.mah) — strength.
power, strength, might
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
→ A title given to Jehovah 1Sa 15:29
רָבָה (rabah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to increase or multiply, encompassing ideas of becoming great, numerous, or abundant. It has various forms, including Qal (to become many), Piel (to make large), and Hiphil (to make much). The word also appears in a context related to shooting in Genesis 21:20. There is a noted Aramaic equivalent, רְבָה.
[רָבָה] 225 vb. be, or become, much, many, great
Qal 59
become many, numerous
be great
grow great (Aramaism)
Pi. 4 make large, increase
Hiph. 162
H7235a רָבָה be, or become, much, many, great .. become many, numerous
. . be great
. grow great (Aramaism)
. make large, increase
. . make much or many
. make great, obj. pers.
H7235b רָבָה shoot
7235 rabah raw-baw'
a primitive root; to increase (in whatever respect):--(bring
in) abundance (X -antly), + archer (by mistake for 7232), be
in authority, bring up, X continue, enlarge, excel,
exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly,
X -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have,
make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more
(in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much
(greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), X
process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very.
see HEBREW for 07232
רָבָה (ra.vah) — to multiply.
1) be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to become many, become numerous, multiply (of people, animals, things)
1a2) to be or grow great
1b) (Piel) to make large, enlarge, increase, become many
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to make much, make many, have many
1c1a) to multiply, increase
1c1b) to make much to do, do much in respect of, transgress greatly
1c1c) to increase greatly or exceedingly
1c2) to make great, enlarge, do much
Aramaic equivalent: re.vah (רְבָה "to grow great" H7236)
רָבָה (ra.vah) — to shoot.
(Qal) to shoot
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singularHVhi3ms