English Standard Version
Hebrews 12:12
12Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,
Hebrews 12:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
- New International Version (NIV)Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,
- New Living Translation (NLT)So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.
Context of Hebrews 12:12
10For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
Read all of Hebrews 12Hebrews 12:12 word by word
Διὸ τὰς παρειμένας χεῖρας καὶ τὰ παραλελυμένα γόνατα ἀνορθώσατε,Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Hebrews 12:12
- Hebrews 12:3Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
- Job 4:3Behold, you have instructed many, and you have strengthened the weak hands.
- Isaiah 35:3Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.
- Ezekiel 7:17All hands are feeble, and all knees turn to water.
- Ezekiel 21:7And when they say to you, 'Why do you groan?' you shall say, 'Because of the news that it is coming. Every heart will melt, and all hands will be feeble; every spirit will faint, and all knees will be weak as water. Behold, it is coming, and it will be fulfilled,'" declares the Lord God.
- Daniel 5:6Then the king's color changed, and his thoughts alarmed him; his limbs gave way, and his knees knocked together.
- Nahum 2:10Desolate! Desolation and ruin! Hearts melt and knees tremble; anguish is in all loins; all faces grow pale!
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
Commentaries on Hebrews 12:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12Wherefore lift up the hands - The apostle refers to Isaiah 35:3. The words are an address to persons almost worn out with sickness and fatigue, whose hands hang down, whose knees shake, and who are totally discouraged. These are exhorted to exert themselves, and take courage, with the assurance that they shall infallibly conquer if they persevere.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12Wherefore - In view of the facts which have been now stated - that afflictions are sent from God, and are evidences of his paternal watchfulness. Lift up the hands which hang down - As if from weariness and exhaustion. Renew your courage; make a new effort to bear them. The hands fall by the side when we are exhausted with toil, or worn down by disease; see the notes on Isaiah 35:3, from which place this exhortation is taken. And the feeble knees - The…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-17Verses 12-17 A burden of affliction is apt to make the Christian's hands hang down, and his knees grow feeble, to dispirit him and discourage him; but against this he must strive, that he may better run his spiritual race and course. Faith and patience enable believers to follow peace and holiness, as a man follows his calling constantly, diligently, and with pleasure. Peace with men, of all sects and parties, will be favourable to our pursuit of…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12-13The author, referring to Isaiah 35:3–8 and Proverbs 4:26, offers support to those who feel emotionally and spiritually drained. Isaiah 35 says God is always working to defeat his enemies and create a clear path for righteous people, so they will not stumble.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. He addresses them as runners in a race, and pugilists, and warriors [Chrysostom]. The "wherefore" is resumed from He 12:1. lift up--In Is 35:3, from which Paul here quotes, it is, "Strengthen ye the weak hands." The hand is the symbol of one's strength. Alford translates, "Put straight again the relaxed hands." English Version expresses the sense well. feeble--literally, "paralyzed"; a word used only by Luke, Paul's companion, in the New Testament…Read the comment
Topics related to Hebrews 12:12
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Hebrews 12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
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