How many times is strength mentioned in the Bible?
The word strength appears 242 times in the King James Version, in 232 verses. Counting every form (strength, strengthen, strengthened, strengtheneth), it appears 320 times in 305 verses across 45 of the 66 books. The World English Bible uses strength 203 times (272 with every form).
Strength in the King James Version and the World English Bible
Each form of strength counted in each translation.
| Form | KJV | WEB |
|---|---|---|
| strength | 242 | 203 |
| strengthen | 32 | 34 |
| strengthened | 39 | 35 |
| strengtheneth | 7 | 0 |
| Total | 320 | 272 |
Which books mention strength most
Strength appears in 45 books of the 66 in the King James Version. Psalms has the most (84), then Isaiah (42) and Job (28).
Also in: Jeremiah (4), Amos (4), Deuteronomy (3), Joshua (3), 2 Samuel (3), 2 Kings (3), Ezra (3), Lamentations (3), Hosea (3), Zechariah (3), Luke (3), Acts (3), Numbers (2), 1 Kings (2), Joel (2), Nahum (2), Mark (2), 2 Corinthians (2), Hebrews (2), Leviticus (1), Micah (1), Habakkuk (1), Haggai (1), Romans (1), 1 Corinthians (1), Ephesians (1), Philippians (1), Colossians (1), 2 Timothy (1), 1 Peter (1).
First and last mention of strength
When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
The verse that uses it most is Joshua 14:11, 2 times (tied with Job 6:12, Job 18:13, Psalm 28:8, Psalm 52:7, Psalm 68:28 and 9 more):
As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.
Where the two translations differ
78 verses match in the KJV but not in the World English Bible, and 35 verses match only in the World English Bible, usually because the other translation chose a different word there.
Genesis 49:24: counted in the KJV only
But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
But his bow remained strong. The arms of his hands were made strong, by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, (from there is the shepherd, the stone of Israel),
Joshua 11:13: counted in the KJV only
But as for the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burned none of them, save Hazor only; that did Joshua burn.
But as for the cities that stood on their mounds, Israel burned none of them, except Hazor only. Joshua burned that.
Genesis 31:6: counted in the World English Bible only
And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.
You know that I have served your father with all of my strength.
Deuteronomy 34:7: counted in the World English Bible only
And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.
Moses was one hundred twenty years old when he died. His eye was not dim, nor his strength gone.
Verses with strength on our topic pages
34 verses that use strength in the World English Bible are in our topic collections.
But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.
Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
On: Strength, Anxiety, Comfort, Protection
My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
On: Strength, Contentment, Death, Grief
Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might.
On: Strength, Comfort, Depression, Loneliness
Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.
On: Strength, Courage, Demons, Spiritual Warfare
Yahweh is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices. With my song I will thank him.
On: Strength, Thanksgiving, Worship
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared, for today is holy to our Lord. Don’t be grieved, for the joy of Yahweh is your strength.”
the God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect?
On: Strength, Protection
Yahweh will give strength to his people. Yahweh will bless his people with peace.
Yah is my strength and song. He has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise him; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
On: Strength
Common questions
How many times is strength in the Old Testament and the New Testament?
In the King James Version, counting every form, 295 of the 320 uses are in the Old Testament and 25 in the New Testament. Strength appears in 45 books of the 66 in the King James Version. Psalms has the most (84), then Isaiah (42) and Job (28).
Where is strength first mentioned in the Bible?
The first use in the King James Version is Genesis 4:12: "When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth." The last is Revelation 17:13.
Read the full collection: Bible Verses About Strength (39 Verses).
More word counts: courage, pride, humility, sheep, lamb, thankful, rejoice, blessed, or all 107 words.
Counted by Bible Says About from the full public-domain text of the King James Version (1769 edition) and the World English Bible. Verse text only: headings and psalm titles are left out. A word is a run of letters: a hyphenated name like Beer-sheba counts as two, and an apostrophe stays inside its word (LORD'S is one). Matching ignores capital letters. Data compiled 2026-10-02.