Original Word: עָצְּמָהָ
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: `otsmah
Pronunciation: ohts-MAH
Phonetic Spelling: (ots-maw')
KJV: abundance, strength
NASB: power, might
Word Origin: [feminine of H6108 (עוֹצֶם - frame)]

1. powerfulness
2. by extension, numerousness

abundance, strength

Feminine of otsem; powerfulness; by extension, numerousness -- abundance, strength.

see HEBREW otsem

Word Origin
from atsom
Definition
might
NASB Translation
might (1), power (2).

עָצְמָה noun feminine might; — Isaiah 40:29 ("" כֹּהַ).

Definition and Scope of the Term

The noun עָצְּמָהָ (Strong’s Hebrew 6109) denotes vigorous, robust power. While it can describe any kind of might—physical, political, military, or even occult—its canonical use consistently sets divine sufficiency over against human pretension.

Occurrences in Scripture

1. Isaiah 40:29 – Yahweh “increases the strength of the weak.”
2. Isaiah 47:9 – Babylon boasts in the “great power” of her sorceries.
3. Nahum 3:9 – Cush and Egypt are called the “boundless strength” of Thebes.

These three texts form a narrative arc: God gives strength to the needy; nations trust in counterfeit strength; judgment exposes that counterfeit.

Divine Provision of Strength (Isaiah 40:29)

Isaiah 40 stands at the threshold of consolation after the oracles of judgment. Against Israel’s exhaustion in exile, the prophet declares, “He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak” (Isaiah 40:29). The term here magnifies the Creator’s inexhaustible capacity to impart vigor that human frailty cannot generate. The passage is the Old Testament counterpart to the Pauline testimony “when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Ministry significance:
• Pastoral encouragement—believers experience divine empowerment precisely where human limits are felt.
• Worship orientation—praise centers on God’s self-sufficient might, not on human resilience.

Pagan Pretension and Impending Collapse (Isaiah 47:9)

In Isaiah 47 Babylon typifies arrogant world power. The same word that extols Yahweh’s gift of vitality in chapter 40 is here attached to Babylon’s “great power” of occult practice. The prophetic irony is sharp: the empire’s most potent force is ultimately powerless before sudden ruin.

Historical insight: Babylon used divination to legitimate policy and quell fear; Isaiah exposes such strength as self-deception.

Pastoral warning: Cultural or spiritual techniques that appear strong can never stave off the righteous judgment of God.

Allied Might and Its Limits (Nahum 3:9)

Nahum confronts Nineveh, but cites Thebes (No-Amon) as a precedent: “Cush and Egypt were her boundless strength; Put and Libya were her allies” (Nahum 3:9). The piling up of potent allies could not save Thebes; likewise, Nineveh’s coalition will crumble. The word underscores how even international alliances amount to nothing when God decrees judgment.

Missional perspective: Nations still marshal economic or military “strength,” yet the gospel proclaims Jesus Christ as ultimate King. The church must not confuse geopolitical clout with the kingdom’s advance.

Theological Themes

• God as sole fountain of authentic strength (Psalm 28:7; Philippians 4:13).
• The futility of self-reliant or idolatrous power structures (Jeremiah 17:5; Revelation 18:2-3).
• Strength perfected in weakness—anticipatory of the cross where apparent frailty secures eternal victory (1 Corinthians 1:25).

Christological Connections

Isaiah’s Servant Songs culminate in One who “was despised and rejected” (Isaiah 53:3) yet triumphs by divine strength. The incarnation reframes power: true might is displayed in sacrificial obedience fulfilled at Calvary and vindicated in resurrection.

Practical Ministry Implications

1. Counseling and discipleship: Encourage believers to exchange self-generated resolve for dependent faith, echoing Isaiah 40:31.
2. Preaching and teaching: Contrast worldly strategies of influence with cruciform strength.
3. Intercession: Pray for persecuted saints to experience the “immeasurable greatness of His power” (Ephesians 1:19).

Personal Application

• Examine where confidence rests—in resources, networks, or spiritual techniques.
• Memorize Isaiah 40:29-31 as a weekly liturgy of reliance.
• Fast from activities that mask weakness and create space for God’s enabling presence.

Communal and Missional Application

• Congregational vision should depend on prayer-saturated planning rather than mere demographics or marketing power.
• Global missions must trust the Spirit’s might, not the sending nation’s economy or technology.

Summary

Strong’s 6109 paints a vivid scriptural portrait: authentic strength is a divine gift, counterfeit strength is destined for collapse, and redemptive history culminates in the Messiah who embodies power perfected through humility. Embracing this truth equips believers and churches to minister with confidence in God’s unassailable might.

בְּעָצְמַ֥ת בעצמת עָצְמָ֛ה עָצְמָ֥ה עצמה ‘ā·ṣə·māh ‘āṣəmāh atzeMah bə‘āṣəmaṯ bə·‘ā·ṣə·maṯ beatzeMatInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts