Lexical Summary
zeroa: Arm, strength, power
Original Word:זְרוֹעַ
Part of Speech:Noun Feminine
Transliteration:zrowa`
Pronunciation:zeh-RO-ah
Phonetic Spelling:(zer-o'-ah)
KJV: arm, + help, mighty, power, shoulder, strength
NASB:arm, arms, strength, power, forces, shoulder, help
Word Origin:[fromH2232 (זָרַע - sow)]
1. the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg
2. (figuratively) force
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
arm, help, mighty, power, shoulder, strength
Or (shortened) zroao {zer-o'-ah}; and (feminine) zrowpah {zer-o-aw'}; or zrowah {zer-o-aw'}; fromzara'; the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force -- arm, + help, mighty, power, shoulder, strength.
see HEBREWzara'
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom an unused word
Definitionarm, shoulder, strength
NASB Translationarm (53), arms (19), forces (3), help (1), mighty (1), position (1), power (4), shoulder (2), strength (8).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
,
Exodus 6:6 and (rare)
Isaiah 51:5, compare below (Late Hebrew
id.; Assyrian (Tel el Amarna
102, 1. 12, etc.)
zurû, compare Jastr
JBL xi, 1892, 123; Arabic
; Aramaic ,
; Ethiopic
) — absolute
Exodus 6:6 +,
Deuteronomy 7:19 +; construct
Psalm 10:15 +,
Psalm 89:11 +; suffix
Jeremiah 27:5;
Psalm 89:2,
Isaiah 51:5;
Isaiah 63:5;
Psalm 71:18 +,
1 Samuel 3:31 +, etc.; plural
Daniel 11:31; construct
Genesis 49:24; suffix
Isaiah 51:5,
2 Kings 9:24; elsewhere feminine form, construct
Psalm 37:17,
Job 22:9 6t.,
Deuteronomy 33:27; suffix
Psalm 18:35,
2 Samuel 22:35, etc. (In absolute and construct singular more often
plene, in plural and with suffix more often
defect. In three instances where is masculine it means a political or military
forceDaniel 11:15,22,31). —
arm,
literally, of a manJudges 15:14;Judges 16:12;2 Samuel 1:10;Isaiah 9:19;Isaiah 17:5 (probably accusative instrumental),Deuteronomy 33:20;Zechariah 11:17 (twice in verse); Cant 8:6;Daniel 10:6;Ezekiel 13:30 (strike out Co);Isaiah 44:12 (of a smith, forging);Ezekiel 4:7 (of prophet); in figure of teaching Ephraim to walkHosea 11:3;Genesis 49:24arms of his hands, i.e. arms that by their strength enable him (Joseph) to draw the bow;2 Kings 9:24, i.e. his arms seen from behind,his shoulders.
arm asseat of (human)strengthPsalm 18:35 =2 Samuel 22:35;Job 26:2,Daniel 11:6 compareDaniel 11:6;Job 26:2;Hosea 7:15 compareEzekiel 30:24,25; also withPsalm 10:15;Psalm 37:17;Jeremiah 48:25 ("" ),Ezekiel 30:21,22,24 compareEzekiel 30:25;Job 38:15. — OnMalachi 2:3 compare VB. Especially
Yahweh's arm as instrument of deliverance and judgment (often Deuteronomy, Jeremiah, Isa2, Psalms): —Deuteronomy 4:34;Deuteronomy 5:15;Deuteronomy 26:8;Ezekiel 20:33,34;Psalm 136:12, compareDeuteronomy 7:19;Deuteronomy 11:2;1 Kings 8:42 2Chronicles 6:32 (all "" ),Deuteronomy 9:29;2 Kings 17:36; (of creation)Jeremiah 27:5;Jeremiah 32:17 (all "" );Exodus 6:6 (P, or D's revision; no "");Jeremiah 21:5 ("" );Exodus 15:16 (song),Psalm 79:11;Psalm 89:22 ("" );Psalm 77:16;Psalm 44:4 ("" ),Psalm 98:1 ("" ), compareIsaiah 52:10;Psalm 89:11 compareIsaiah 62:8 ("" );Isaiah 51:9;Psalm 89:14;Isaiah 63:12; as support of weakIsaiah 40:11 (figurative of shepherd), compareDeuteronomy 33:27;Isaiah 30:30 (of lightning stroke, "" of thunder); alsoJob 40:9.Hence,
arm, as symbol ofstrength:
human1 Samuel 2:31 (twice in verse) ( read and , but see Klo Dr),Ezekiel 22:6;Ezekiel 31:17;Proverbs 31:17; 2Chronicles 32:8;Jeremiah 17:5 ("" ); comparePsalm 44:4 ("" );Job 22:8;Job 22:9 (i.e. strength, resources);Psalm 83:9;Job 35:9;Ezekiel 17:9 (for pulling up a tree, in metaphor).
= divine strengthPsalm 71:18 ("" ),Isaiah 40:10 ("" );Isaiah 51:5 [Str thinks masculine to avoid verbal ending , compareIsaiah 49:11]; and helpIsaiah 33:2 ("" ) compareIsaiah 59:16;Isaiah 63:5; see alsoIsaiah 53:1.
Pluralforces, political and military, withDaniel 11:15,31;Daniel 11:22 (see Bev).
Shoulder of animal sacrificed, belonging to priestNumbers 6:19 (P)Deuteronomy 18:3.
(√of following; Biblical Hebrew II. , ).
Topical Lexicon
Definition and Scope of Usageזְרוֹעַ (zeroaʿ) most commonly denotes the arm—human, animal, or divine—and, by extension, the strength, power, or agency that the arm symbolizes. Roughly half of the ninety-one occurrences refer to a literal limb; the remainder are figurative, emphasizing power, protection, or judgment.
Literal Human and Animal Limb
1. Human anatomy: Descriptions of physical vigor or weakness employ the term (Genesis 49:24;Job 40:18;Proverbs 31:17).
2. Animal foreleg: In sacrificial law the right shoulder or foreleg is reserved for priestly portions (Exodus 29:22;Leviticus 7:32-34;Numbers 6:19;Deuteronomy 18:3). The sanctity of this piece underscores that even the mundane limb is set apart for holy service.
“Arm” as Symbol of Strength and Power
Ancient Near-Eastern culture treated the arm as the seat of might. Scripture echoes this: “By Your arm You redeemed Your people” (Psalm 77:15). Conversely, shattered arms depict impotence (Ezekiel 30:21-25). Israel boasts, “He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts; He has performed mighty deeds with His arm” (compareLuke 1:51, where Mary draws on the Old Testament theology of the arm).
The Arm of Deliverance in the Exodus Narrative
Exodus through Deuteronomy repeatedly pair יָד (hand) and זְרוֹעַ (arm) to proclaim redemption: “I will redeem you with an outstretched arm” (Exodus 6:6). Moses reminds the second generation, “The LORD brought you out…with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm” (Deuteronomy 4:34; 5:15; 7:19; 11:2). The motif insists that salvation is God-initiated, God-empowered, and therefore irrevocable.
The Arm of the LORD in the Prophets
1. Recollection of past acts: “Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD!” (Isaiah 51:9).
2. Present judgment or rescue: “The LORD will lay bare His holy arm in the sight of all the nations” (Isaiah 52:10).
3. Messianic revelation: “Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?” (Isaiah 53:1). The Servant Song climaxes with the disclosure that God’s decisive self-revelation comes through the suffering Messiah, whose apparent weakness is paradoxically the very arm of divine might.
The Arm in Wisdom and Poetic Literature
Psalms accent worship rooted in remembrance: “Your right hand and Your holy arm have worked salvation for You” (Psalm 98:1). Proverbs and Job contrast finite human arms with God’s: “Have you an arm like God’s?” (Job 40:9).
Priestly and Sacrificial Regulations Involving the Arm
The repeated allocation of the foreleg to priests (Leviticus 7:32;Numbers 18:18) ties zeroaʿ to covenant fellowship. The worshiper’s offering strengthens the mediator’s service, picturing mutual dependence within the covenant community—an early hint of the New Testament teaching on the body of Christ.
Reliance on the Arm of Flesh versus the Arm of God
The prophets warn against trusting mere human strength. “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his arm” (Jeremiah 17:5). Kings who sought foreign alliances rather than the LORD “leaned on a splintered reed of a staff” (Isaiah 36:6). Conversely, the faithful remnant prays, “Not by their sword did they possess the land… it was Your right hand, Your arm” (Psalm 44:3).
Messianic Expectation and Fulfillment
Isaiah’s arm-texts inform New Testament Christology.John 12:38 citesIsaiah 53:1 to explain Israel’s unbelief; yet in Christ the eloquent arm of YHWH is fully unveiled. His miracles display divine power; His cross displays divine purpose; His resurrection vindicates divine salvation, fulfilling “The LORD comes with power, and His arm rules for Him” (Isaiah 40:10).
Practical Ministry Lessons
• Preaching: Emphasize that salvation rests on God’s outstretched arm, not human effort.
• Pastoral care: Encourage believers facing oppression with Exodus and Psalms arm-texts.
• Worship: Integrate hymns that recall God’s mighty arm to foster corporate gratitude.
• Missions:Isaiah 52:10 grounds the global proclamation of the Gospel in the revealed arm of the LORD.
Summary of Key References
Exodus 6:6;Deuteronomy 4:34;Deuteronomy 18:3;Joshua 8:32;2 Chronicles 32:8;Job 40:9;Psalm 44:3;Psalm 77:15;Psalm 98:1;Proverbs 31:17;Isaiah 40:10;Isaiah 51:9;Isaiah 52:10;Isaiah 53:1;Jeremiah 17:5;Ezekiel 30:21-25;Zechariah 11:17.
Forms and Transliterations
בִּזְר֣וֹעַ בִּזְר֥וֹעַ בִּזְרֹעוֹ֙ בִזְרֹ֤עַ בזרוע בזרע בזרעו הַזְּר֗וֹעַ הַזְּרֹ֣עַ הַזְּרֹ֥עַ הזרוע הזרע וְהַזְּרֹ֣עַ וּ֭זְרוֹעֲךָ וּֽזְרֹעֲךָ֖ וּֽזְרֽוֹעֲךָ֖ וּבִֽזְרֹעֲךָ֖ וּבִזְר֣וֹעַ וּבִזְר֥וֹעַ וּבִזְר֧וֹעַ וּבִזְרֹ֣עַ וּבִזְרוֹעִ֖י וּזְר֥וֹעַ וּזְרֹֽעֹתָיו֙ וּזְרֹע֔וֹ וּזְרֹע֖וֹ וּזְרֹע֖וֹת וּזְרֹע֛וֹ וּזְרֹע֤וֹת וּזְרֹע֥וֹת וּזְרֹעִ֖ים וּזְרֹעַ֖י וּזְרוֹעָם֮ ובזרוע ובזרועי ובזרע ובזרעך והזרע וזרוע וזרועך וזרועם וזרעו וזרעות וזרעי וזרעים וזרעך וזרעתיו זְ֭רוֹעַ זְר֖וֹעַ זְר֛וֹעַ זְר֣וֹעַ זְרֹ֖עַ זְרֹ֣עֲךָ֔ זְרֹ֣עֹתָ֔יו זְרֹע֑וֹ זְרֹע֔וֹ זְרֹע֖וֹ זְרֹע֣וֹת זְרֹעִ֔י זְרֹעִ֖י זְרֹעֵ֣י זְרֹעָ֔יו זְרֹעָם֙ זְרֹעֹ֣ת זְרֹעֹתָ֖יו זְרֹעֹתָֽי׃ זְרֹעוֹ֙ זְרֹעוֹת֙ זְרֹעוֹתֶֽיהָ׃ זְרֽוֹעֹתָ֑יו זְרֽוֹעֹתָ֑ם זְרוֹע֖וֹ זְרוֹע֣וֹת זְרוֹעֲךָ֑ זְרוֹעֲךָ֖ זְרוֹעֲךָ֣ זְרוֹעִ֥י זְרוֹעֶ֔ךָ זְרוֹעֹֽתֵיכֶ֑ם זְרוֹעֹתָֽי׃ זְרוֹעוֹ֙ זְרוֹעוֹתָ֗יו זרוע זרועו זרועות זרועותיו זרועי זרועך זרועתי׃ זרועתיו זרועתיכם זרועתם זרע זרעו זרעות זרעותיה׃ זרעי זרעיו זרעך זרעם זרעת זרעתי׃ זרעתיו לִזְרֹע֖וֹ לזרעו מִזְּר֣וֹעַ מזרוע biz·rō·‘ōw ḇiz·rō·a‘ biz·rō·w·a‘ bizrō‘ōw bizRoa ḇizrōa‘ bizroO bizrōwa‘ haz·zə·rō·a‘ haz·zə·rō·w·a‘ hazzeRoa hazzərōa‘ hazzərōwa‘ liz·rō·‘ōw lizrō‘ōw lizroO miz·zə·rō·w·a‘ mizzeRoa mizzərōwa‘ ū·ḇiz·rō·‘ă·ḵā ū·ḇiz·rō·a‘ ū·ḇiz·rō·w·‘î ū·ḇiz·rō·w·a‘ ū·zə·rō·‘ă·ḵā ū·zə·rō·‘ay ū·zə·rō·‘îm ū·zə·rō·‘ō·ṯāw ū·zə·rō·‘ō·wṯ ū·zə·rō·‘ōw ū·zə·rō·w·‘ă·ḵā ū·zə·rō·w·‘ām ū·zə·rō·w·a‘ ūḇizrō‘ăḵā ūḇizrōa‘ ūḇizrōw‘î ūḇizrōwa‘ uvizRoa uvizroaCha uvizroI ūzərō‘ăḵā ūzərō‘ay ūzərō‘îm ūzərō‘ōṯāw ūzərō‘ōw ūzərō‘ōwṯ uzeRoa uzeroaCha uzeroAi uzeroAm uzeroIm uzeroO uzeroot uzerooTav ūzərōw‘ăḵā ūzərōw‘ām ūzərōwa‘ vehazzeRoa vizRoa wə·haz·zə·rō·a‘ wəhazzərōa‘ zə·rō·‘ă·ḵā zə·rō·‘ām zə·rō·‘āw zə·rō·‘ê zə·rō·‘î zə·rō·‘ō·ṯāw zə·rō·‘ō·ṯāy zə·rō·‘ō·w·ṯe·hā zə·rō·‘ō·wṯ zə·rō·‘ōṯ zə·rō·‘ōw zə·rō·a‘ zə·rō·w·‘ă·ḵā zə·rō·w·‘e·ḵā zə·rō·w·‘î zə·rō·w·‘ō·ṯām zə·rō·w·‘ō·ṯāw zə·rō·w·‘ō·ṯāy zə·rō·w·‘ō·ṯê·ḵem zə·rō·w·‘ō·w·ṯāw zə·rō·w·‘ō·wṯ zə·rō·w·‘ōw zə·rō·w·a‘ zərō‘ăḵā zərō‘ām zərō‘āw zərō‘ê zərō‘î zərō‘ōṯ zərō‘ōṯāw zərō‘ōṯāy zərō‘ōw zərō‘ōwṯ zərō‘ōwṯehā zeRoa zərōa‘ zeroaCha zeroAm zeroAv zeroEcha zeroEi zeroI zeroO zeroOt zerooTai zerooTam zerooTav zerooteiChem zerooTeiha zərōw‘ăḵā zərōw‘eḵā zərōw‘î zərōw‘ōṯām zərōw‘ōṯāw zərōw‘ōṯāy zərōw‘ōṯêḵem zərōw‘ōw zərōw‘ōwṯ zərōw‘ōwṯāw zərōwa‘
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