Job 38:15
And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.
Original Language Analysis
וְיִמָּנַ֣ע
is withholden
H4513
וְיִמָּנַ֣ע
is withholden
Strong's:
H4513
Word #:
1 of 6
to debar (negatively or positively) from benefit or injury
מֵרְשָׁעִ֣ים
And from the wicked
H7563
מֵרְשָׁעִ֣ים
And from the wicked
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
2 of 6
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
אוֹרָ֑ם
their light
H216
אוֹרָ֑ם
their light
Strong's:
H216
Word #:
3 of 6
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
וּזְר֥וֹעַ
arm
H2220
וּזְר֥וֹעַ
arm
Strong's:
H2220
Word #:
4 of 6
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
Cross References
Psalms 10:15Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.Psalms 37:17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.Job 18:5Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine.Proverbs 4:19The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.Job 5:14They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope in the noonday as in the night.Job 18:18He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world.Ezekiel 30:22Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and will break his arms, the strong, and that which was broken; and I will cause the sword to fall out of his hand.
Historical Context
Ancient societies lacked effective nighttime law enforcement. Criminals exploited darkness. Dawn brought communal security and justice. The "high arm" imagery suggests violence and proud defiance. God's promise to break such arms would encourage victims of oppression throughout Israel's history, from Egyptian bondage to Babylonian captivity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse comfort those suffering under oppression or injustice?
- In what ways has Christ decisively "broken the high arm" of evil powers?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken." Darkness is paradoxically called the wicked's "light" (orem, אוֹרָם)—the medium in which they operate. Dawn withholds this, exposing evil. The "high arm" (zero'a ramah, זְרוֹעַ רָמָה) represents violence and oppression being broken. This reveals God's justice—He systematically undermines evil's power. The verse assures sufferers that God actively opposes wickedness, even when His timing differs from ours. It anticipates Christ breaking Satan's power and every oppressive force.