אֶדְרָע
𐤀𐤃𐤓𐤏
ʼedrâʻ
H153 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Forearm, arm, specifically the upper limb from the shoulder to the hand; by extension, a figure of power, strength, authority, or agency, especially in physical, social, or political contexts. Used in literal physical sense as well as metaphorically for capacity or control.
Semantic Range
forearm, arm (body part), agency, power, strength, capacity to act, authority
Root / Etymology
The term אֶדְרָע is the Aramaic form closely related to Hebrew זְרוֹעַ (zeroa‘), meaning 'arm.' It derives from the root דרע, attested in Aramaic with the sense 'arm.' The precise triliteral Hebrew root is לא common in standard Hebrew but in Aramaic represents the concept of a physical arm or, metaphorically, power.
Historical & Contextual Notes
This word occurs in the Aramaic portions of the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Daniel, Ezra) and not in the standard Hebrew sections, marking it as a regional and linguistic variant. In these contexts, אֶדְרָע refers to the physical limb but far more often employs a figurative use signifying power, authority, or the might of an individual or deity. This parallels the Hebrew זְרוֹעַ, though the latter is the regular term in Hebrew narrative and poetry, especially as a metaphor for the strength of YHWH in delivering Israel. In later dialects of Aramaic, the term remains in use and carries forward both senses. English translations frequently render it as 'arm,' but this may obscure the extended metaphorical import prevalent in ancient Near Eastern idiom, where the 'arm' stands for means of enforcement, capacity, or political/military power. It is worth noting that later terms like 'Judean' or 'Jew' are anachronistic for this word's biblical appearances, as it is primarily a linguistic, not an ethnic, marker in context. The semantic range of אֶדְרָע thus highlights both the literary interplay between Hebrew and Aramaic in the post-exilic period and the shared metaphorical traditions of the region.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) an orthographical variation for דְּרַע; an arm, i.e. (figuratively) power; force.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
דרע (d-r-ʿ) — arm (limb), support, strengthen, power
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H153-01 |
בְּ/אֶדְרָ֥ע | beedera | AR/Ncfsa |
by force | by an arm | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H153-01 |
Ezra 4:23 | בְּ/אֶדְרָ֥ע | beedera | AR/Ncfsa |
by force | by an arm |