βραχίων

From the study of Acts 13:17

Range of meaning

Literally 'a high (raised) arm'. The arm stands for strength, especially in battle. A raised arm is ready to strike or shows triumph.

Against the English

KJV/YLT 'an high arm'; BSB/ESV/NASB/WEB 'uplifted arm' (literal); NIV 'with mighty power' (explains the picture but drops the Exodus wording); NLT 'with a powerful arm'. The literal versions keep the link to the Exodus texts that hearers would recognise.

Used elsewhere in the period

A set phrase in the Septuagint for the Exodus. Exod 6:1, 6 and Deut 4:34; 5:15; 26:8 have 'with a mighty hand and a high arm (en brachioni hypsēlō)', where the Hebrew is bizroa netuyah, 'outstretched arm'. See also Ps 135(136):12; Jer 39(32):21. Egyptian royal texts praise Pharaoh's 'strong arm'. Some scholars (e.g. J. K. Hoffmeier) argue that the Exodus phrase deliberately answers that boast: God's arm beats Pharaoh's.

From the study of John 12:38

Range of meaning

The arm, especially the upper arm. Figuratively, strength, power, the means by which someone acts.

Against the English

English 'arm of the Lord' keeps the image, but modern readers may not recognise it as a stock phrase for God's saving power in action, especially the Exodus.

Used elsewhere in the period

'A mighty hand and an outstretched arm' is the formula for the Exodus (Deut 4:34; 5:15; 26:8; Ps 136:12). Isaiah develops the picture: 'Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD … as in days of old' (51:9); 'the LORD has bared his holy arm in the sight of all the nations' (52:10); 'his arm rules for him' (40:10).

From the study of Luke 1:51

Range of meaning

Literally the arm, especially the upper arm. By extension it stands for strength and power in action. In the Greek Old Testament it translates Hebrew zerōaʿ ("arm"), which commonly stands for God's power to rescue and to judge.

Against the English

All major English versions keep "arm", which is right. NLT's "mighty arm" adds the adjective to make the image plain. Nothing is lost, but readers may miss how loaded the phrase was: for a Jewish hearer "his arm" called the Exodus to mind.

Used elsewhere in the period

Exodus 6:6 and Deuteronomy 4:34; 5:15 ("a mighty hand and an outstretched arm"); Exodus 15:16; Psalm 89:10 (LXX 88:11: "by the arm of your power you scattered your enemies", which uses the same verb as Luke); Isaiah 51:9 ("Awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD"); Isaiah 52:10 ("the LORD has bared his holy arm"); Isaiah 53:1. Luke uses the same picture again in Acts 13:17: "with an uplifted arm he led them out" of Egypt.