אֶזְרוֹעַ

the arm

Definition

The Hebrew noun אֶזְרוֹעַ (ʼezrôwaʻ) refers to the arm, specifically the forearm from the elbow to the wrist. It is a poetic or variant form of the more common word for arm, זְרוֹעַ (zerowaʻ, H2220). In its two biblical occurrences, it symbolizes strength and power. In Job 31:22, Job uses it in a self-imprecation, wishing for his own arm to be broken if he is guilty of injustice, highlighting the arm as the source of a person's physical might for action. In Jeremiah 32:21, it refers to God's 'outstretched arm,' a metaphor for His mighty power displayed in delivering Israel from Egypt.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only twice in the Old Testament, both in poetic contexts. It appears in the wisdom literature (Job) and the prophetic literature (Jeremiah). In both instances, the arm is not merely a body part but a symbol. In Job 31:22, it represents human strength and agency in committing wrong. In Jeremiah 32:21, it is part of a classic formula describing Yahweh's saving power, echoing the language of the Exodus (e.g., Deuteronomy 4:34, 5:15). The usage pattern shows it is a literary synonym for the more common זְרוֹעַ, used for rhetorical variation.

Etymology

אֶזְרוֹעַ is a variant or byform of the common Hebrew noun זְרוֹעַ (zerowaʻ, H2220), meaning 'arm.' The initial א (aleph) is likely a prosthetic or prefixed letter, a known phenomenon in Hebrew where an extra consonant is added to the beginning of a word, often in poetic or dialectal forms. It shares the same root (ז-ר-ע) as the common word, which fundamentally relates to the concept of 'sowing' or 'scattering,' though the semantic connection to 'arm' is not entirely clear and may be ancient.

Semantic Range

Though rare, this word is theologically significant because it appears in a key description of God's character: His 'outstretched arm' (Jeremiah 32:21). This phrase is central to the biblical theme of redemption, symbolizing God's active, powerful intervention to save His people. Understanding that this poetic term is synonymous with the more frequent 'zerowaʻ' enriches reading by showing the deliberate literary choice. It reinforces that God's saving power is a core truth expressed through varied language across Scripture.

In ancient Near Eastern culture, the arm was a universal symbol of strength, authority, and the capacity for action, both in warfare and in delivering justice. A broken arm (as in Job 31:22) symbolized utter helplessness and defeat. The image of a deity with an outstretched arm was a powerful metaphor for divine intervention, commonly used to describe acts of creation, judgment, or salvation. This cultural understanding makes the biblical metaphor immediately comprehensible to the original audience.

זְרוֹעַ (zerowaʻ, H2220) — The standard, more frequent word for 'arm,' used in identical metaphorical contexts for human and divine strength. יָד (yad, H3027) — Often translated 'hand,' but can denote power or possession; it is a more general term for the limb, while אֶזְרוֹעַ specifies the forearm. חֹזֶק (chozeq, H2394) — Means 'strength' or 'force,' the abstract quality that the arm symbolizes.

Word Details

Scripture References