Biblical Types, Symbols & Patterns
Arm (of Lord)
Claim-level biblical evidence review with contextual controls, canonical relationships, and preserved interpretive history.
How to read this entry
Evidence grades apply to individual claims, not to the headword as a whole. Strong biblical identification is kept separate from plausible or traditional interpretations, and unsupported proposals remain visible as negative evidence rather than being silently removed.
Arm of the LORD as anthropomorphic metaphor of divine power and saving/judging action
The "arm of the LORD" is a recurrent anthropomorphic body-part metaphor for God's strength, sovereign intervention, deliverance, and at times judgment. The legacy power/help/might language is substantially correct but should be classified as metaphor/idiom rather than a symbolic code.
Context control: The metaphor emphasizes divine agency and power in context; it should not be treated as a separate entity or mechanically equated with one person of the Godhead.
The "arm of the LORD" is a recurrent anthropomorphic body-part metaphor for God's strength, sovereign intervention, deliverance, and at times judgment. The legacy power/help/might language is substantially correct but should be classified as metaphor/idiom rather than a symbolic code.
Grade 4: Recurrent canonical motif or strong thematic patternScope: The metaphor emphasizes divine agency and power in context; it should not be treated as a separate entity or mechanically equated with one person of the Godhead.
Strongest alternative: Hebrew zeroa retains its ordinary meaning "arm" while functioning anthropomorphically to describe God's effective power and action.
Residual uncertainty: No material residual uncertainty beyond the stated scope limitation.
Scripture
Evidence sources
- Canonical Scripture: TSP-S3 Batch 2 loci, MT/LXX/NA28 with NET/ESV comparison — Passage loci verified for TSP-S3 Batch 2, 2026-09-20
- NET Bible translators and conservative commentary sources — NET Bible and conservative commentary controls for TSP-S3 Batch 2 — Online lexical/contextual notes, accessed 2026-09-20
Lexical mappings
These are cross-tier mappings only; lexical definitions remain owned by the site’s lexical resources.
- HEBREW: זְרוֹעַ zeroa
Study-aid notice
This page is part of an AI-assisted conservative evangelical Bible-study project. It has passed structured research, review, and QA gates, but it is not inspired or infallible and does not replace Scripture, prayer, pastors, teachers, or local church discernment.
Claims should be tested against Scripture in context. Corrections and Review Policy.