“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.”
My Notes
What Does Isaiah 40:29 Mean?
Isaiah 40:29 sits within one of the most magnificent passages in all of Scripture — the opening of "Second Isaiah" (chapters 40-66), written to exiles who have been in Babylon for decades and have every reason to believe God has forgotten them. After declaring God's incomparable greatness (v. 12-26) and addressing Israel's complaint that God doesn't see their struggle (v. 27), Isaiah delivers this promise.
"He giveth power to the faint" — the Hebrew natan (giveth) is the standard word for giving, but applied to God's bestowal of strength, it implies deliberate, generous, active provision. The Hebrew ya'eph (faint, weary, exhausted) describes someone at the end of their resources — not mildly tired but depleted. God's power goes specifically to the emptied.
"And to them that have no might he increaseth strength" — the Hebrew 'eyn 'onim (no might, without vigor) is a condition of total powerlessness. Not reduced strength but zero strength. And the Hebrew yarbeh (increaseth, multiplies, makes abundant) means God doesn't just supplement their weakness — He multiplies from nothing. The math of grace operates differently than the math of natural resources: God can multiply what doesn't exist yet.
The verse's placement matters enormously. It follows God's cosmic résumé — measuring the waters in His hand, weighing the mountains, comprehending the dust of the earth (v. 12-17). The same God who operates at that scale now bends to give power to the faint. The juxtaposition is deliberate: the cosmic God does personal work. The God who cannot be measured measures out exactly what you need.
This verse prepares for the soaring promise of verse 31: "they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles." But the promise starts here — with giving power to the powerless.
Reflection Questions
- 1.This verse is specifically for the 'faint' and those with 'no might.' Do you qualify right now? What has emptied you?
- 2.God 'increases' strength to those with nothing. How is receiving strength from God different from generating your own — and what makes it hard to stop trying to generate yours?
- 3.This promise follows God's cosmic résumé (measuring oceans, weighing mountains). How does God's vastness make His personal care for your exhaustion more — not less — believable?
- 4.The exiles had been faint for decades before this word came. If you've been waiting a long time for renewed strength, how do you keep waiting without giving up?
Devotional
This verse is for the person who has nothing left.
Not the person who's a little tired. Not the person who could use a boost. The person who is faint. The person with no might — the Hebrew is emphatic: without vigor. Empty. Done.
And to that person — specifically that person — God gives power and increases strength. Not to the strong who need a top-up. To the empty who need everything.
Isaiah writes this to exiles who have been in Babylon so long they've started to believe God has either forgotten them or can't do anything about their situation (v. 27). They've been faint for decades. Their might ran out a long time ago. And into that specific exhaustion, God speaks: I give power to the faint. I increase strength to the powerless.
The verb "increaseth" is important. It doesn't mean God adds to what you already have. It means He multiplies from zero. You don't need a reservoir of residual strength for God to work with. You need nothing. He starts from nothing. That's the whole point. If you had to bring something to the table, it would be your strength supplemented. This is God's strength given — freshly, fully, to someone who has nothing to contribute except their emptiness.
If you're exhausted — spiritually, emotionally, physically depleted in a way that scares you — this verse doesn't ask you to rally. It doesn't tell you to dig deeper. It tells you that your emptiness is exactly the condition God specializes in. He gives power to the faint. Not the strong. The faint. You qualify.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,.... Such as are in the prime of their strength, and glory in it, yet through…
He giveth power to the faint - To his weak and feeble people. This is one of his attributes; and his people, therefore,…
Here, I. The prophet reproves the people of God, who are now supposed to be captives in Babylon for their unbelief and…
The prophet now turns to his own people, drawing the lesson of hope and encouragement which lies in the true doctrine of…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture