What the Bible Says About Strength

When Paul asked the Lord three times to take away "a thorn in the flesh," the answer he records is "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:7 to 9). When the people wept as the law was read, they were told "the joy of the LORD is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:9 and 10). Samson told Delilah that if he were shaven, "my strength will go from me" (Judges 16:17).

"Strength" appears 242 times in the King James Bible, 225 in the Old Testament and 17 in the New. Below are passages on strength, each quoted word for word with its reference. Short notes give the Hebrew and Greek words behind the English. Near the end, one table lists every verse where the King James text calls God "my strength." Another counts the Hebrew words most often behind "strength."

They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength (Isaiah 40:28 to 31)

28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 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. (Isaiah 40:28-31)

The verb in "wait upon" is qavah, which Strong's Concordance defines as "to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e. collect; (figuratively) to expect." "Renew" is chalaph. Strong's gives its sense as "properly, to slide by, i.e. (by implication) to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce or change."

"Strength" in verse 31 is koach, the same word as "power" in verse 29. The "strength" of verse 29 is a different word, otsmah, which Strong's defines as "powerfulness." "Eagles" is nesher, "the eagle (or other large bird of prey)" in Strong's.

The same two Hebrew verbs stand in verses 28, 30 and 31. The LORD "fainteth not, neither is weary." The youths "shall faint and be weary." They that wait upon the LORD "shall run, and not be weary" and "shall walk, and not faint." "Faint" is ya'af, which Strong's defines as "to tire (as if from wearisome flight)." "Weary" is yaga, "properly, to gasp; hence, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil."

I can do all things (Philippians 4:11 to 13)

This letter is from "Paul and Timotheus" to "all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi" (Philippians 1:1).

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:11-13)

"I can do" is ischuō, which Strong's defines as "to have (or exercise) force (literally or figuratively)." It comes from ischus, strength. "Strengtheneth" is endunamoō, "to empower" in Strong's and "to make strong, strengthen" in STEPBible's lexicon.

"I am instructed" in verse 12 is mueō, which appears nowhere else in the New Testament. Strong's defines it as "to initiate, i.e. (by implication) to teach."

Where endunamoō appears

In all eight editions that STEPBible's tagged Greek New Testament tracks, endunamoō stands in these seven places. The Textus Receptus and the Byzantine text have it once more, in Hebrews 11:34, "out of weakness were made strong." Here is each of the seven with the King James wording.

My strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:7 to 10)

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

"Thorn" is skolops, which appears only here in the New Testament. Strong's gives it as "a point or prickle." "Besought" is parakaleō, which Strong's defines as "to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)." It's also the verb in Matthew 5:4, on the grief page.

"Strength" and "power" in verse 9 are both dunamis, which STEPBible's lexicon gives as "power, might, strength." "Weakness" and both "infirmities" are astheneia. Strong's defines it as "feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; morally, frailty." In verse 10 "weak" is astheneō, the verb from the same family. "Strong" is dunatos, from the same family as dunamis.

The joy of the LORD is your strength (Nehemiah 8:9 and 10)

Ezra the scribe read the book of the law of Moses to the people "from the morning until midday" (Nehemiah 8:1 to 3).

9 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. 10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:9-10)

"Strength" here is ma'oz, which Strong's defines as "a fortified place; figuratively, a defence." "Joy" is chedvah. In Hebrew it comes only once more, in 1 Chronicles 16:27, "strength and gladness are in his place."

In the Psalms

I will love thee, O LORD, my strength (Psalm 18:1 and 2)

1 I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. 2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. (Psalm 18:1-2)

The two uses of "my strength" are different Hebrew words. In verse 1 it's chezeq, which appears nowhere else in the Hebrew Bible. Strong's traces it to chazaq, "to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong." In verse 2 it's tsur, which Strong's defines as "properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge." The "my rock" at the start of verse 2 is another word, sela, "a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)" in Strong's.

2 Samuel 22 gives this song too, with small differences. It has no line like Psalm 18:1, and the song there begins "The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer" (2 Samuel 22:2). Where Psalm 18:32 reads "It is God that girdeth me with strength," 2 Samuel 22:33 reads "God is my strength and power."

The LORD is my strength and my shield (Psalm 28:7 and 29:11)

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. (Psalm 28:7)

The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace. (Psalm 29:11)

"Strength" in both verses is oz, which Strong's defines as "strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)." It stands behind "strength" more often than any other Hebrew word.

From strength to strength (Psalm 84:5 and 7)

Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. (Psalm 84:5)

They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God. (Psalm 84:7)

The strength of verse 5 is oz. In verse 7 both are chayil, which Strong's defines as "probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength."

God is the strength of my heart (Psalm 73:26 and Isaiah 26:4)

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. (Psalm 73:26)

"Strength" here is tsur, as in Psalm 18:2. Tsur stands behind "strength" five times in the KJV. The other three are Psalm 19:14, Psalm 144:1 and Isaiah 26:4.

Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: (Isaiah 26:4)

In this verse "the LORD JEHOVAH" is Yah and the full name together, as in Isaiah 12:2 below.

The LORD is my strength and song (Exodus 15:2, Psalm 118:14 and Isaiah 12:2)

Moses and the children of Israel sang this song after they "walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea" (Exodus 14:29 and 15:1).

The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. (Exodus 15:2)

The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation. (Psalm 118:14)

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. (Isaiah 12:2)

In Hebrew, Psalm 118:14 is the same six words that open Exodus 15:2. Isaiah 12:2 has the same six words with the full name added after Yah. "The LORD" in Exodus 15:2 and Psalm 118:14 is Yah. Strong's calls it a "contraction for" the name the KJV usually prints as LORD, "and meaning the same." In Isaiah 12:2 the KJV prints Yah and the full name together as "the LORD JEHOVAH."

"Strength" in all three is oz. "Song" is zimrat, which Strong's defines as "instrumental music; by implication, praise."

David encouraged himself in the LORD (1 Samuel 30:6)

David and his men came back to Ziklag and found it "burned with fire." Their wives, sons and daughters "were taken captives" (1 Samuel 30:1 to 3). They "wept, until they had no more power to weep" (1 Samuel 30:4).

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. (1 Samuel 30:6)

The verb in "encouraged himself" is chazaq, which Strong's defines as "to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong." The KJV renders the same verb "strengthen" in Judges 16:28 below.

Strengthen me, I pray thee (Judges 16:17 and 28)

That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man. (Judges 16:17)

Delilah had him shaven while he slept, "and his strength went from him" (Judges 16:19). The Philistines "put out his eyes" (Judges 16:21). At a sacrifice to "Dagon their god" they called for Samson, "that he may make us sport" (Judges 16:23 and 25).

And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. (Judges 16:28)

In verse 17 "my strength" is koach, the same word as the "strength" of Isaiah 40:31. In verse 28 "strengthen me" is chazaq, the verb of "David encouraged himself."

Not by might, nor by power (Zechariah 4:6)

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6)

"Might" is chayil and "power" is koach, two of the words the KJV most often renders "strength."

He will make my feet like hinds' feet (Habakkuk 3:17 to 19)

17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments. (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

"Strength" here is chayil. "Hinds" is ayyalah, which Strong's defines as "a doe or female deer." Psalm 18:33 and 2 Samuel 22:34 have the same picture, "He maketh my feet like hinds' feet."

Be strong in the Lord (Ephesians 6:10)

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (Ephesians 6:10)

Three Greek words for strength stand in this one verse. The verb in "be strong" is endunamoō, the verb of Philippians 4:13. "Power" is kratos. "Might" is ischus, the noun ischuō comes from.

With all thy strength (Mark 12:30 and Deuteronomy 6:5)

One of the scribes asked Jesus, "Which is the first commandment of all?" (Mark 12:28).

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. (Mark 12:30)

And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. (Deuteronomy 6:5)

"Strength" in Mark 12:30 is ischus, the "might" of Ephesians 6:10. Deuteronomy 6:5 has "might" where Mark has "strength," and the Hebrew there is me'od. Strong's defines it as "properly, vehemence."

Where the KJV calls God "my strength"

Here is every verse where the King James text calls God or the LORD "my strength," with the Hebrew word behind "strength" in each. Verses where "my strength" is the speaker's own aren't in it, like Psalm 22:15, "My strength is dried up like a potsherd." Psalm 43:2's "the God of my strength" and Psalm 62:7's "the rock of my strength" are left out too.

That's 15 verses and six Hebrew words. Oz is behind seven of them. Tsur, the word for rock, is behind three. Chezeq in Psalm 18:1 and eyaluth in Psalm 22:19 appear nowhere else in the Hebrew Bible. Strong's defines eyaluth as "power; by implication, protection." In Psalm 31:4 "thou" is the LORD, whom verse 1 addresses, "In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust."

The words behind strength

In the KJV's Old Testament "strength" stands for 35 different Hebrew and Aramaic words, counted by their Strong's numbers. These eight are behind it five times or more.

Between them oz and koach stand behind 118 of the 225.

Fear, worry and grief

Fear, worry and grief have pages of their own. They're What the Bible Says About Fear, What the Bible Says About Worry and What the Bible Says About Grief. Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 46:1, Deuteronomy 31:6 and Joshua 1:9 speak of strength too, and they're quoted on the fear page.

How this page was made

Every verse is quoted from the 1769 standard text of the King James Version and checked word for word against two more digital copies. The printed KJV sets supplied words in italics, which this page doesn't show. Verse numbers follow the KJV. Hebrew Bibles count the headings of Psalms 18, 19, 22, 31, 46, 59, 62 and 84 as their first verses, so the verses this page cites from those psalms are numbered one higher there.

Hebrew words were identified with the Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible. The counts of the words behind "strength" come from the Strong's numbers in the CrossWire Bible Society's KJV, each checked against the Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible. Greek words were identified with STEPBible's tagged Greek New Testament. Apart from Hebrews 11:34, which the endunamoō list notes, every Greek word cited here reads the same in all the editions it tracks. The Textus Receptus is one of them. STEPBible is a Tyndale House Cambridge project, and its Greek lexicon draws on Abbott-Smith's. STEPBible's data and the Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible are both shared under CC BY 4.0. The other definitions come from Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890). If you find a mistake, tell us through the support page.

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