Isaiah · Chapter 40 · Strength
Isaiah 40:31 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
For the day that asks more than you feel ready to give.
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About Isaiah 40:31
Isaiah 40 was written to a people on the edge of exile, with their world about to come apart. The chapter's long arc moves from "comfort, comfort my people" (v.1) to this promise. The Hebrew verb translated wait (qavah) carries a sense of expectant trust, not passive killing of time. The reward isn't escape from the journey — they will run, and not be weary assumes the running continues. Strength is renewed for the walking, not as a substitute for it. For anyone in a season of waiting that has gone on longer than expected, the promise is exactly that: renewal in the middle of the wait, not at the end of it.
Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint."
KJV · King James Version
"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."
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses that, upon, the, lord, while the WEB renders these as those, who, for, yahweh. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
Isaiah 40:31 in Isaiah 40
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is Isaiah 40:31 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of Isaiah 40. Read the full chapter →
- v.29 He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might.
- v.30 Even the youths faint and get weary, and the young men utterly fall;
- v.31 But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.
Book background
About the Book of Isaiah
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Genre
- Major prophet
- Author
- Isaiah son of Amoz
- Date written
- c. 740–680 BC
- Audience
- Judah during the Assyrian crisis
- Chapters
- 66
Isaiah is the longest prophetic book and is sometimes called "the fifth Gospel" for its detailed Messianic prophecies — the virgin's child (7:14), the government on his shoulder (9:6), and the Suffering Servant of chapter 53 who would be "wounded for our transgressions." It opens with judgment and ends with the promise of new heavens and a new earth (66:22).
Setting: Jerusalem during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.
Key themes: holiness · judgment · salvation · Messiah · new creation
Memorisation aid
How to memorise Isaiah 40:31
Isaiah 40:31 contains 31 words in 6 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength
BTWWFY
- 2
They will mount up with wings like eagles
TWMUWW
- 3
They will run
TWR
- 4
and not be weary
ANBW
- 5
They will walk
TWW
- 6
and not faint.
ANF
Frequently asked
FAQ about Isaiah 40:31
What does Isaiah 40:31 say?
Isaiah 40:31 reads: "But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint." — from the Old Testament, Isaiah (Major prophet). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is Isaiah 40:31 in?
Isaiah 40:31 is in the book of Isaiah, traditionally attributed to Isaiah son of Amoz and written around c. 740–680 BC. Isaiah is major prophet in the Old Testament, originally addressed to Judah during the Assyrian crisis. Best known for the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53.
What is Isaiah 40:31 about?
Isaiah 40:31 is primarily a Bible verse about Strength, with related themes including Hope. Within Isaiah, Isaiah is the longest prophetic book and is sometimes called "the fifth Gospel" for its detailed Messianic prophecies — the virgin's child (7:14), the government on his shoulder (9:6), and the Suffering Servant of chapter 53 who would be "wounded for our transgressions. Read the full passage above with surrounding context.
What is the difference between Isaiah 40:31 in WEB and KJV?
Isaiah 40:31 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "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.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is Isaiah 40:31?
Isaiah 40:31 is 31 words in the WEB translation (163 characters), broken into 6 clauses. It is a longer verse, often broken into smaller phrases for memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 9 seconds.
How can I memorise Isaiah 40:31?
To memorise Isaiah 40:31, split it into its 6 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does Isaiah 40:31 matter in Isaiah?
Isaiah is the longest prophetic book and is sometimes called "the fifth Gospel" for its detailed Messianic prophecies — the virgin's child (7:14), the government on his shoulder (9:6), and the Suffering Servant of chapter 53 who would be "wounded for our transgressions." It opens with judgment and ends with the promise of new heavens and a new earth (66:22). Isaiah 40:31 sits within this larger story — Isaiah as a whole emphasises holiness, judgment, salvation.
How can I apply Isaiah 40:31 today?
Many readers use Isaiah 40:31 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download Isaiah 40:31 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
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10 verses to read next
A fresh set of verses every visit — each on its own photo background. Tap any card to open the full study page.
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Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
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Joshua 1:9
“Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.””
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Isaiah 41:10
“Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the…”
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-
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or scared of them; for Yahweh your God himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.””
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-
Psalms 27:1
“By David. Yahweh is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Yahweh is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?”
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-
Psalms 46:1
“For the Chief Musician. By the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
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2 Corinthians 12:9
“He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses,…”
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Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
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-
Deuteronomy 31:8
“Yahweh himself is who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be discouraged.””
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-
Isaiah 43:2
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be b…”
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Isaiah 41:10
“Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the…”
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Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep whoever's mind is steadfast in perfect peace, because he trusts in you.”
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Isaiah 9:6
“For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eve…”
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Isaiah 43:2
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be b…”
Read context →