Lexical Summary ezroa: Arm, strength, power Original Word: אֶזְרוֹעַ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance arm A variation for zrowa'; the arm -- arm. see HEBREW zrowa' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as zeroa Definition the arm NASB Translation arm (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֶזְרוֺעַ noun feminine arm (= foregoing with א prosthet.) — arm of man כְּתֵפִי מִשִּׁכְמָה תִמּ֑וֺל וְאֶזְרֹעִי מִקָּנָה תִשֵָּׁבר׃ Job 31:22; of ׳וּבְיָד חֲזָקָה וּבְאֶזְרוֺעַ נְטוּיָה י Jeremiah 32:21, compare זְרוֺעַ 1c. Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope of UsageWhile אֶזְרוֹעַ appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, its sense as “arm” fits seamlessly into the larger biblical motif in which the arm represents power, authority, and personal agency. The two occurrences—one human (Job 31:22) and one divine (Jeremiah 32:21)—offer a concise lens through which to observe both the frailty of humanity and the omnipotence of God. Literal Anatomy and Personal Accountability (Job 31:22) In Job’s oath of innocence, he invites severe bodily judgment if he has exploited the weak: “then let my arm fall from my shoulder and be broken off at the socket” (Job 31:22). Here the arm symbolizes the instrument of labor, provision, and even violence. Job willingly places the very limb of productivity under divine scrutiny. The verse underscores a central ethical principle: a believer’s physical strength is entrusted to him by God and must never be used for oppression. It also anticipates New Testament teaching that the body is meant for righteousness (Romans 6:13). Metaphorical Significance: God’s Outstretched Arm (Jeremiah 32:21) Jeremiah records that the Lord brought Israel “out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders, with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm” (Jeremiah 32:21). In this salvation-history context, the arm represents the unstoppable power by which God redeems His covenant people. The same imagery reappears throughout Scripture (Deuteronomy 4:34; Isaiah 53:1; Luke 1:51), forging a canonical link between exodus deliverance, prophetic hope, and Messianic fulfillment. Salvation History and Continuity 1. Exodus Foundation: The “outstretched arm” becomes a liturgical refrain celebrating the foundational rescue event (Exodus 6:6; Deuteronomy 26:8). Theology of Power and Humility The juxtaposition of Job 31:22 and Jeremiah 32:21 presents a deliberate theological contrast: human integrity submits its arm to divine judgment, whereas divine sovereignty stretches out its arm for deliverance. Together they teach that God’s power is perfect, purposeful, and protective, while human power must be humble, accountable, and aligned with God’s righteousness. Christological Fulfillment New Testament writers identify Jesus as the embodiment of the Lord’s saving arm. By His miracles (Luke 7:22), His victory over sin and death (Colossians 2:15), and His exaltation at the Father’s right hand (Acts 2:33), Christ fulfills the pattern of mighty intervention foretold by Jeremiah. Believers therefore trust not in their own “arm of flesh” (2 Chronicles 32:8) but in the risen Savior. Ministry Implications • Dependence: Pastors and congregations must rely on divine strength rather than personal charisma or strategy (2 Corinthians 3:5). Summary אֶזְרוֹעַ, though rare, binds together the themes of human accountability and divine omnipotence. The believer’s arm must be yielded to God’s purposes, while the community’s hope rests in the ever-mighty, ever-faithful arm of the Lord, fully revealed in Jesus Christ and active today through the Holy Spirit. Forms and Transliterations וְ֝אֶזְרֹעִ֗י וּבְאֶזְר֣וֹעַ ואזרעי ובאזרוע ū·ḇə·’ez·rō·w·a‘ ūḇə’ezrōwa‘ uveezRoa veezroI wə’ezrō‘î wə·’ez·rō·‘îLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 31:22 HEB: מִשִּׁכְמָ֣ה תִפּ֑וֹל וְ֝אֶזְרֹעִ֗י מִקָּנָ֥ה תִשָּׁבֵֽר׃ NAS: from the socket, And my arm be broken off KJV: from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken INT: blade fall and my arm the elbow be broken Jeremiah 32:21 2 Occurrences |