וְקוֹיֵ יְהוָה יַחֲלִיפוּ כֹחַ

“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength” in Hebrew is Vekovei Adonai yachalifu choach (וְקוֹיֵ יְהוָה יַחֲלִיפוּ כֹחַ), pronounced “ve-ko-VEI a-do-NAI ya-kha-LI-fu KHO-akh.” The literal translation is “And-those-who-wait-for the-LORD will-exchange strength.” Isaiah 40:31 — the climactic promise of renewed strength for those who wait upon the LORD, with the iconic imagery of mounting up with wings like eagles.

Vekovei Adonai yachalifu choach is pronounced “ve-ko-VEI a-do-NAI ya-kha-LI-fu KHO-akh.” The literal meaning is “And-those-who-wait-for the-LORD will-exchange strength.”

The Hebrew word 'kovei' (from the root ק-ו-ה) means to wait with active expectation and hope. It's not passive sitting around — it's an engaged, trusting posture that expects God to act. The same root gives us 'tikvah' (hope). Waiting on God means maintaining trust and expectation even when circumstances are difficult.

Yachalifu choach literally means 'they will exchange strength.' The verb chalifah means to exchange or substitute. The image is of trading your depleted human strength for God's inexhaustible divine strength — like exchanging worn-out clothes for new ones. It's not about trying harder; it's about receiving a different kind of power entirely.

The nesher (often translated 'eagle,' actually the griffon vulture) symbolizes strength, height, and renewal in the Bible. Eagles soar on thermals without flapping — a picture of effortless power drawn from an external source. God is described as bearing Israel 'on eagles' wings' (Exodus 19:4), and the image appears in Psalm 103:5 where God 'renews your youth like the eagle's.'