b. In Bible phrase, to weaken the hands of: figurative to reduce the effectiveness of (a person or body of persons), to hinder, discourage. Cf. to strengthen the hand of at strengthenv. Phrases.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > [verb (transitive)]
disvail14..
disavail1429
disadvantage?c1550
to weaken the hands of1560
disvantage1567
to take the wind out of the sails of1822
handicap1857
to stack the cards (etc.) against1941
disbenefit1978
1560 Bible (Geneva) vi. 9.
1864 E. B. PuseyDaniel (1876) 135 The people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah.