Bible Strands
Isaiah 35:3
Strengthen the limp hands and steady the feeble knees!
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The speaker issues a command within a prophetic vision of restoration, placed between a declaration of botanical flourishing and a direct address to anxious hearts.
The words — The Hebrew verbs חַזְּקוּ (cha.ze.Ku) and אַמֵּצוּ ('a.me.tzu) both command action to strengthen or make firm the רָפוֹת (ra.Fot, slack) hands and כְּשֵׁלוֹת (ko.she.Lot, stumbling) knees.
The thread — The exact phrase reappears in Hebrews 12:12 as a direct quotation, while parallel imagery of strengthening feeble hands appears in Job 4:3 and the command to strengthen others follows in Luke 22:32.
Why it lands — The text demands physical and spiritual fortification for those on the verge of collapse, framing the command as a necessary response to God’s impending intervention.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.
Cross-references
- Hebrews 12:12 Therefore strengthen your limp hands and weak knees.
- Job 4:3 Surely you have instructed many, and have strengthened their feeble hands.
- Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
- Isaiah 57:14 And it will be said, “Build it up, build it up, prepare the way, take every obstacle out of the way of My people.”
- Job 16:5 But I would encourage you with my mouth, and the consolation of my lips would bring relief.
- Luke 22:43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him.
- Acts 18:23 After Paul had spent some time in Antioch, he traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
- Judges 7:11 and listen to what they are saying. Then your hands will be strengthened to attack the camp.” So he went with Purah his servant to the outposts where armed men were guarding the camp.
- Isaiah 52:1 Awake, awake, clothe yourself with strength, O Zion! Put on your garments of splendor, O Jerusalem, holy city! For the uncircumcised and unclean will no longer enter you.
- Isaiah 40:1 “Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God.