dh-r-'

Description

The Arabic root ذرع (dh-r-ʿ) fundamentally conveys the concept of measuring or extending, particularly related to the forearm and the act of reaching or grasping. In the Quran, it appears both in its literal sense referring to physical measurement (cubits as a unit based on forearm length) and body parts (forelegs/forearms), as well as metaphorically to express emotional constriction or distress (feeling uneasy, as when one's capacity or patience is stretched thin). This semantic range connects physical extension and limitation with psychological states of being overwhelmed or constrained, reflecting how the root captures both spatial and emotional dimensions of human experience.