Arm

Used as a symbol of strength and as a means of expressing affection and relationship. Some ornaments are worn on the arm.

Everyday uses of arms

See also Numbers 11:12 carrying; Numbers 20:11 hitting; 2 Samuel 22:35 parallel Psalm 18:34 archery2 Kings 5:18, 2 Kings 7:2, 2 Kings 7:17PSA 2 Kings 129:7; Isaiah 17:5 Isaiah 44:12 craftsmanship; Hosea 11:3 teaching to walk

The arm as a symbol of human strength

Of physical strength in general

Genesis 49:24; Judges 15:14, Judges 16:12; Proverbs 31:17; Isaiah 44:12

Of strength for battle

Ezekiel 30:24–25 See also Job 35:9

I will strengthen the arms of Babylon’s king and place My sword in his hand, but I will break the arms of Pharaoh, who will groan before him like a mortally wounded man. I will strengthen the arms of Babylon’s king, but Pharaoh’s arms will fall limp. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I place My sword in the hand of Babylon’s king, and he wields it against the land of Egypt.

The arm as a symbol of human weakness

A broken arm expresses defeat

Jeremiah 48:25 See also Job 38:15; Psalm 10:15; Ezekiel 30:21–22, Ezekiel 30:24–25; Zechariah 11:17

The horn of Moab has been cut off, and his arm is broken,” declares the LORD.

Restrained arms

Jeremiah 40:4; Acts 12:7

Feeble arms need to be strengthened

Job 26:2 See also Hebrews 12:12

“How you have helped the powerless and saved the arm that is feeble!

Human arms are weak compared with God's strength

Job 40:9 See also 2 Chronicles 32:8

Do you have an arm like God’s? Can you thunder with a voice like His?

The arm of God as a symbol

Of the might of God

Psalm 77:15 See also Psalm 89:10, Psalm 89:13; Isaiah 63:12; Jeremiah 27:5

With power You redeemed Your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

Of the power of God to save

Numbers 11:23 See also Exodus 6:6; Deuteronomy 9:29, Deuteronomy 33:27; 2 Chronicles 6:32; Isaiah 53:1, Isaiah 59:1, Isaiah 59:16

The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not My word will come to pass.”

Of the eternity of God

Deuteronomy 33:27

Of the holiness of God

Psalm 98:1; Isaiah 52:10

Arms as an expression of affection and greeting

Used to embrace in greeting

Genesis 45:14 See also Genesis 29:13, Genesis 33:4, Genesis 46:29, Genesis 48:10; Luke 15:20; Acts 20:37

Then Joseph threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin wept as they embraced.

Used to embrace a wife or lover

Song of Solomon 2:6 See also Genesis 16:5; 2 Samuel 12:8; Proverbs 5:20; Song of Solomon 8:3; Micah 7:5

His left hand is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.

Used to embrace the young

Mark 10:16 See also Numbers 11:12; 2 Samuel 12:3; 1 Kings 17:19, 1 Kings 17:23; 2 Kings 4:16; Isaiah 49:22; Lamentations 2:12; Mark 9:36; Luke 2:28; Acts 20:10

And He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them, and blessed them.

Open arms express generosity

Proverbs 31:20

She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.

Used in phrases expressing the adoption of false gods

See also 1 Kings 9:9 parallel 2 Chronicles 7:22

The beauty of the arm

Song of Solomon 5:14

His arms are rods of gold set with beryl. His body is polished ivory bedecked with sapphires.

Objects worn on the arm

Ornaments

See also Genesis 24:30, Genesis 24:47; Numbers 31:50; 2 Samuel 1:10; Isaiah 3:18–19; Ezekiel 16:11, Ezekiel 23:42

Identification marks

Genesis 38:28, Genesis 38:30

Magic charms

Ezekiel 13:18, Ezekiel 13:20