Arm

Arm (usually זרוֹעִ, zero-'d, βραχίων) is frequently used in Scripture in a metaphorical sense to denote power. Hence, to " break the arm" is to diminish or to destroy the power (Ps 10:15; Eze 30:21; Jer 48:25). It is also employed to denote the infinite power of God (Ps 89:13; Ps 48:2; Isa 53:1; Joh 12:38). In a few places the metaphor is, with great force, extended to the action of the arm, as, "I will redeem you with a stretched-out arm" (Ex 6:5), that is, with a power fully exerted. The figure is here taken from the attitude of ancient warriors baring and outstretching the arm for fight. Thus, in Isa 52:10, "Jehovah hath made bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations." Lowth has shown, from the Sept. and other versions, that in Isa 9:20, ' they shall eat every one the flesh of his own arm" should be " the flesh of his neighbor," similar to Jer 19:9, meaning that they should harass and destroy one another. (See Wemyss's Clavis Symbolica, p. 23, 24.)