📖 Biblical Definition
To uphold is to hold up, sustain, support — to keep from falling. The verb runs as a great cord through Scripture in God’s covenantal promises to His people. "Fear thou not; for I am with thee... yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness" (Isaiah 41:10). The Servant of the LORD is upheld by the Father’s Spirit (Isaiah 42:1). Christ Himself upholds "all things by the word of his power" (Hebrews 1:3): the universe is not coasting — it is sustained moment by moment by the active will of God. The Christian who knows he is upheld walks differently. He cannot finally fall, because the right hand of the LORD holds him up.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
To hold up, sustain; God's action toward His people.
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To hold up, sustain, support; God's verb regarding His people ('I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness'), His chosen Servant ('whom I uphold'), and creation itself ('upholding all things by the word of his power').
📖 Key Scripture
Isaiah 41:10 — "Fear thou not; for I am with thee... I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
Isaiah 42:1 — "Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth."
Hebrews 1:3 — "And upholding all things by the word of his power."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Reduced to legal-formal language ('upholds the constitution'), missing the personal-supportive sense in Scripture.
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Isaiah 41:10 is one of Scripture's great upholding verses. The God who upholds the universe by the word of His power upholds His people by His righteous right hand. Same God; same upholding power. Lean on it.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew tamak — to hold up.
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['Hebrew', 'H8551', 'tamak', 'to support, uphold']
['Greek', 'G5342', 'pherō', 'to bear, uphold']
Usage
"I will uphold thee — the great promise."
"He upholds all things by His word."