זְרוֹעַ

From the study of Isaiah 51:9

Range of meaning

Arm or forearm; by extension strength, power, military force (Dan 11:15, 22, 'forces'). When said of God it means his power reaching into history, usually to save and to defeat enemies.

Against the English

English 'arm of the LORD' is a correct literal rendering. A reader needs to know that it is a fixed image of saving warfare, not a vague metaphor for 'help'.

Used elsewhere in the period

The exodus formula 'with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm' (Exod 6:6; Deut 4:34; 5:15; 26:8). Egyptian royal inscriptions praise Pharaoh as 'strong of arm'. Scholars such as J. K. Hoffmeier argue that Israel's exodus language deliberately turns this royal imagery against Pharaoh. In Isaiah 40–55 the arm is a theme: it rules and gathers lambs (40:10–11); 'my arms will judge the peoples… for my arm they wait' (51:5); 'the LORD has bared his holy arm before all nations' (52:10); 'to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?' (53:1). See also 63:12: 'who caused his glorious arm to go at Moses' right hand, who split the waters before them'.

From the study of Deuteronomy 33:27

Range of meaning

Arm or forearm, and by extension strength, power and military force. 'To break the arm' of someone means to destroy their power (Ps 10:15; Ezek 30:21–24).

Against the English

Every major English version has 'arms', which is accurate. But modern readers, shaped by the hymn 'Leaning on the Everlasting Arms', tend to picture only a soft embrace. In Deuteronomy the word first of all calls up the 'mighty hand and outstretched arm' of the Exodus.

How it drifted

Devotional use since the nineteenth century has made the phrase a picture of personal comfort in trouble, and its military overtone has faded.

Used elsewhere in the period

Deut 4:34; 5:15; 7:19; 11:2; 26:8: 'with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm' is Deuteronomy's set phrase for the Exodus. Exod 15:16: 'by the greatness of your arm' the nations are struck dumb. Isa 40:11 and Deut 1:31 also show God carrying his people, so the image of bearing them up is equally biblical.

From the study of Isaiah 33:2

Range of meaning

The arm, especially the forearm. By extension it means strength, power, and especially military force ('arms' of an army, Daniel 11:15, 22). With God as subject it is a fixed image of his power in action: 'with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm' (Deuteronomy 4:34; 26:8, the Exodus). It can also mean the arm that carries and protects (Isaiah 40:11).

Against the English

KJV, YLT and ESV keep 'arm'. BSB, WEB and NIV say 'strength', which keeps the sense but loses the picture of a raised fighting arm and the link to Isaiah's 'arm of the LORD' theme. BSB, WEB, NIV and ESV also have 'our' where the Hebrew has 'their'.

How it drifted

Not a drift in meaning, but a lost image. 'Strength' is abstract. 'Arm' is a body part a hearer could see: the warrior's raised arm, God's arm bared for battle (Isaiah 52:10).

Used elsewhere in the period

In Isaiah: 30:30 ('the descending blow of his arm'); 40:10–11; 51:9 ('Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD'); 52:10; 53:1; 59:16; 63:5 ('my own arm brought me salvation', where arm and salvation are again paired). The paired idea of 'arm' and 'salvation' recurs across the book.