Bible Dictionaries
Arm

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

used in the plural, in Luke 2:28 , originally denoted "the curve, or the inner angle, of the arm." The word is derived from a term signifying "to bend, to curve;" the Eng. "angle" is connected.

Note: Enankalizomai (en, "in," and a verb akin to No. 1), "to take into the arms, to embrace," is used in Mark 9:36; 10:16 , of the tenderness of Christ towards little children.

"the shorter part of the arm, from the shoulder to the elbow," is used metaphorically to denote strength, power, and always in the NT of the power of God, Luke 1:51; John 12:38; Acts 13:17; frequently so in the OT, especially in Deuteronomy, the Psalms and Isaiah; see, e.g., Deuteronomy 4:34; 5:15; Psalm 44:3; 71:18 , where "strength" is, lit., "arm;" Psalm 77:15; Isaiah 26:11 , where "hand" is, lit., "arm;" Isaiah 30:30; 40:10,11 , etc.