Lexical Summary atsumah: strong Original Word: עַצֻּמָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance strong Feminine of atsuwm; a bulwark, i.e. (figuratively) argument -- strong. see HEBREW atsuwm NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition perhaps defense NASB Translation strong (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [עֲצֻמָה] noun feminine defence; — plural suffix עֲצֻמוֺתֵיכֻם (so Baer Ginsb; van d. H. ׳עַצֻּמ) Isaiah 41:21 bring forward your defences, defensive arguments (CheHpt עַצְּבוֺתֵיכֻם your idols, after Gr, [so Lo Klo explain ׳עצמ, as mightiest aid, I. עצם]). (ה)עצנו 2 Samuel 23:8, see I. עָדִין below I. עדן. Topical Lexicon Occurrence and Canonical Context עַצֻּמָה appears only once, in Isaiah 41:21. There, the prophet records the Lord’s summons to the nations and their idols: “Present your case,” says the LORD. “Submit your arguments,” says the King of Jacob (Isaiah 41:21). Within the chiastic flow of Isaiah 40–48, this challenge punctuates a sustained polemic against idolatry and an affirmation of Yahweh’s exclusive sovereignty. Courtroom Imagery in the Prophets Isaiah often frames divine revelation in juridical terms. By calling for “arguments,” the Lord invokes an ancient Near-Eastern legal scene in which litigants bring evidence before a king or council. Comparable prophetic court settings include Micah 6:1-2, Jeremiah 2:9, and Hosea 4:1. The single use of עַצֻּמָה crystallizes this motif: God invites the idols to prove their power but exposes their impotence through their silence. Historical Background Isaiah 40–48 addresses Judah during— or looking ahead to— the Babylonian exile. Surrounded by imperial cults, the exiles faced pressure to accept foreign deities. The divine courtroom thus serves a pastoral purpose: encouraging the faithful by publicly discrediting rival gods and reaffirming the covenant Lord as the One who controls history (Isaiah 41:4; Isaiah 46:9-10). Theological Significance 1. Exclusive Lordship: The invitation to present “arguments” underscores that no authority can stand alongside the Holy One of Israel. Apologetic Value Isaiah 41 validates a reasoned defense of faith. Believers may confidently invite scrutiny, echoing later exhortations such as 1 Peter 3:15 and Acts 17:2-3. The text models respectful yet uncompromising engagement with competing worldviews. Ministry and Discipleship Applications • Teaching: Use Isaiah 41:21 to illustrate how Scripture combines revelation with rational demonstration. Related Biblical Themes Integrity of Witness – Deuteronomy 19:15; John 5:31-39. God’s Challenge to Idols – Psalm 115; Isaiah 44:9-20. Divine Self-Vindication – Job 38–41; Romans 3:4. Christological Fulfillment The Messiah embodies the perfect revelation that renders all rival claims void. Just as idols had no “arguments,” so every tongue will fall silent before Jesus Christ when He is revealed from heaven (Philippians 2:9-11). His resurrection supplies the ultimate, unanswerable proof (Acts 17:31). Summary עַצֻּמָה captures a decisive moment in Isaiah’s legal confrontation between the living God and lifeless idols. Though occurring only once, the term points to a larger biblical pattern: the Lord seeks not evasive allegiance but thoughtful, evidence-based loyalty. His people, therefore, may engage the world’s questions with confidence, knowing that the God who summoned the nations to court in Isaiah 41 still stands vindicated in history and in the gospel of His Son. Forms and Transliterations עֲצֻמ֣וֹתֵיכֶ֔ם עצמותיכם ‘ă·ṣu·mō·w·ṯê·ḵem ‘ăṣumōwṯêḵem atzuMoteiChemLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 41:21 HEB: יְהוָ֑ה הַגִּ֙ישׁוּ֙ עֲצֻמ֣וֹתֵיכֶ֔ם יֹאמַ֖ר מֶ֥לֶךְ NAS: Bring forward your strong [arguments], The King KJV: bring forth your strong [reasons], saith INT: the LORD Bring your strong says the King 1 Occurrence |
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