H6110 H6110
defensive argument, proof, evidence brought forward in legal or rhetorical context
This rare noun appears only in Isaiah 41:21, where God challenges the idols to 'bring forward your defenses'—your strongest arguments or proofs. The context is a courtroom scene where false gods are put on trial. Spanish translates it as 'your arguments' and English as 'your proofs,' both capturing the legal-rhetorical force. The word derives from a root meaning 'to be strong,' suggesting that these are not weak excuses but the best evidence one can muster in defense of a position.
Senses
1. sense 1 — In Isaiah 41:21, God calls on pagan deities to present their 'defenses'—the most compelling arguments or evidence they can offer for their legitimacy. The term carries legal weight, as if in a courtroom, where the accused brings forward their strongest case. The multilingual glosses confirm this forensic sense: Spanish uses 'argumentos' (arguments), English 'proofs,' pointing to reasoned discourse meant to persuade or vindicate. 1×
AR["حُجَجَكُمْ"]·ben["তোমাদের-শক্তিশালী-যুক্তিগুলিকে"]·DE["[עצמותיכם]"]·EN["your-proofs"]·FR["[עצמותיכם]"]·heb["עצומותיכם"]·HI["प्रमाणों-अपने"]·ID["alasan-alasanmu"]·IT["[עצמותיכם]"]·jav["bukti-bukti-panjenengan"]·KO["너희의-증거를"]·PT["argumentos-vossos"]·RU["доказательства-ваши"]·ES["sus-argumentos"]·SW["hoja-zenu"]·TR["kanitlarinizi"]·urd["اپنے-مضبوط-ثبوت"]
Related Senses
H0559 1. say, speak, tell (5297×)G3004 1. say, tell, speak (2226×)H1696 1. speak, say, tell (Piel) (1105×)H7121 1. call, summon, name (575×)H6680 1. command, order, charge (483×)H6030b 1. answer, respond, reply (289×)G2980 1. speak, talk (277×)H5046 1. Hifil: to tell, report (237×)G0611 1. answer or respond verbally (232×)H1288 1. Piel: bless, invoke blessing (227×)H7650 1. swear, take an oath (Niphal) (154×)H3789 1. Qal passive participle: written, recorded (112×)H1984b 1. praise, laud (Piel) (111×)H7592 1. ask, inquire, question (96×)H3034 1. give thanks, praise (Hifil) (94×)G1321 1. teach, instruct actively (92×)H3789 2. Qal active: write, compose (89×)G1125 1. to write, compose (a letter or document) (84×)H5046 2. Hifil: to declare, proclaim (79×)H7892a 1. song, musical composition (78×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† [עֲצֻמָה] n.f. defence;—pl. sf. עֲצֻמוֹתֵיכֶם (so Baer Ginsb; van d. H. עַצֻּמ׳) Is 41:21 bring forward your defences, defensive arguments (CheHpt עַצְּבוֹתֵיכֶם your idols, after Gr, [so Lo Klo explain עצמ׳, as mightiest aid, I. עצם]).