Isaiah 40:31

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 40:31 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “but they that wait for Jehovah shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

but they that wait for Jehovah shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 40

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
31but they that wait for Jehovah shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But they that wait upon the Lord, &c.] As children on their parents, to do them honour, to obey their commands, and receive food and blessings from them; as servants on their masters, to know their pleasure, do their work, and have their wages; as clients on their patrons, to have advice of them, put their cause into their hands, and know how it goes; and as beggars at the door, who knock and wait, tell their case and wait, meet with repulses, yet keep their place, and continue waiting: such an act supposes a knowledge and reverence of God, confidence in him, attendance on him, not with the body only, in public and private, but with the soul also, and with some degree of constancy, and with…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“mount up-- (Sa2 1:23). Rather, "They shall put forth fresh feathers as eagles" are said to renovate themselves; the parallel clause, "renew their strength," confirms this. The eagle was thought to moult and renew his feathers, and with them his strength, in old age (so the Septuagint, Vulgate, Psa 103:5). However, English Version is favored by the descending climax, mount up--run--walk; in every attitude the praying, waiting child of God is "strong in the Lord" (Psa 84:7; Mic 4:5; Heb 12:1). Next: Isaiah Chapter 41”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But they that wait upon the Lord - The word rendered ‘wait upon’ here (from קוה qâvâh), denotes properly to wait, in the sense of expecting. The phrase, ‘to wait on Yahweh,’ means to wait for his help; that is, to trust in him, to put our hope or confidence in him. It is applicable to those who are in circumstances of danger or want, and who look to him for his merciful interposition. Here it properly refers to those who were suffering a long and grievous captivity in Babylon, and who had no prospect of deliverance but in him. The phrase is applicable also to all who feel that they are weak, feeble, guilty, and helpless, and who, in view of this, put their trust in Yahweh. The promise or…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Wait - That rely upon him. Renew - Shall grow stronger and stronger. Next: Isaiah Chapter 41”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“40:31 trust in the Lord: See 33:2; 49:23; 51:5. • like eagles: This powerful image of rescue reminded readers of the Exodus event of long ago (Exod 19:4; Deut 32:10-12; see also Ps 103:5).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“they that: Isa 8:17, Isa 25:9, Isa 30:18; Psa 25:3, Psa 25:5, Psa 25:21, Psa 27:14, Psa 37:34, Psa 40:1, Psa 84:7, Psa 92:1, Psa 92:13; Psa 123:2; Lam 3:25, Lam 3:26; Rom 8:25; Th1 1:10 renew: Heb. change, Jdg 16:28; Job 17:9, Job 33:24-26; Psa 103:5, Psa 138:3; Co2 1:8-10; Co2 4:8-10, Co2 4:16, Co2 12:9, Co2 12:10 mount: Exo 19:4; Psa 84:7; Sol 8:5; Zac 10:12; Rev 4:7 not faint: Psa 27:13; Luk 18:1; Co2 4:1, Co2 4:16; Gal 6:9; Heb 12:1; Rev 2:3 Next: Isaiah Chapter 41”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification