Lexical Summary
yamin: Right hand, right side, south
Original Word:יָמִין
Part of Speech:Noun Feminine
Transliteration:yamiyn
Pronunciation:yah-MEEN
Phonetic Spelling:(yaw-meen')
KJV: + left-handed, right (hand, side), south
NASB:right hand, right, right side, south, southward
Word Origin:[fromH3231 (יָמַן - go to the right)]
1. the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous)
2. locally, the south
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
left-handed, right hand, side, south
Fromyaman; the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south -- + left-handed, right (hand, side), south.
see HEBREWyaman
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom an unused word
Definitionright hand
NASB Translationleft-handed* (2), right (49), right hand (75), right side (8), south (4), southward (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
I.
137Exodus 15:6 (Proverbs 27:16 no except, see Now Str) (Late Hebrew
id.; SI
3on the right; Aramaic ,
; Arabic
right, right side, right hand, south; Ethiopic
right hand,
right side, Sabean
right hand,
soth, are also quoted; Assyrian
imnu, right, right side, on the right, Dl
HWB 307) — absolute
Genesis 13:9 40t.; construct
1 Samuel 23:24 19t.; suffix
Jeremiah 22:24 6t., etc.; always singular: —
right hand:
literally of man, often opposed toGenesis 48:13,14 (compareGenesis 48:18),Daniel 12:7;Jonah 4:11distinguish between one's right hand and one's left;Judges 5:26 ("" ); as holding the lotEzekiel 21:27; also of right hand as skilfulPsalm 137:5; as receiving bribesPsalm 26:10 ("" ); used in false swearingPsalm 144:8;Psalm 144:11their right hand is a right hand of falsehood; oft also with ,Genesis 48:17 (E)hand of his right = his right handJudges 7:20;2 Samuel 20:9;Judges 3:15;Judges 20:16bound as to one's right hand, i.e. left-handed.
figurative, of right hand as held byIsaiah 41:13;Isaiah 45:1; soPsalm 73:23.
right hand of , as instrument of delivering IsraelExodus 15:6 (twice in verse);Exodus 15:12 +, comparePsalm 20:7;Psalm 77:11; ""Psalm 98:1; as acquiring the temple-sitePsalm 78:54; as holding his servantPsalm 18:36 (line omitted in ""2 Samuel 22:36), comparePsalm 63:9 &Isaiah 41:10; as finding, lighting upon () his enemiesPsalm 21:9 ("" ); as full ofPsalm 48:11; as dispensing blessingsPsalm 16:11 (compareProverbs 3:16 of wisdom, personified); used in divine oath isPsalm 62:8 ("" ).
, or direction toward,the right:
, with ,Exodus 14:22,29 a wallon their right hand and on their left hand; similarly2 Samuel 16:6;1 Kings 7:39,49 2Chronicles 3:17; 4:6;1 Kings 22:19 (= 2 Chronicles 18:18 with ), 2 Chronicles 4:7,8;Psalm 91:7 ("" ); for protectionPsalm 16:8;2 Kings 23:13;Ezekiel 10:3; with ,1 Kings 2:19, soPsalm 110:1;Psalm 45:10;Psalm 109:31; withZechariah 3:1;1 Chronicles 6:24; 2Chronicles 18:18 (=1 Kings 22:19 with ),Nehemiah 8:4;Job 30:12;Psalm 109:6; comparePsalm 110:5; without preposition2 Samuel 24:5;Job 23:9.
, literalNumbers 20:17;Numbers 22:26 (both J E);Deuteronomy 2:27;1 Samuel 6:12;Isaiah 54:3; also (verb in prev. clause)Genesis 13:9;Psalm 142:5; andlooking is implied also inEzekiel 1:10 (with ; opposed to ); with ,2 Samuel 2:19,21;Genesis 24:49; followed by , of course () of boundaryJoshua 17:1; with ,Nehemiah 12:31 (verb omitted,went) to the right above the wall; figurative of moral deviation,Deuteronomy 17:11, soDeuteronomy 5:29;Deuteronomy 17:20;Deuteronomy 28:14;Joshua 1:7;Joshua 23:6;2 Kings 22:2 2Chronicles 34:2;Proverbs 4:27; also (very late) ofthe right as morally good, (opposed to )Ecclesiastes 10:2 De Reuss Now.
(see etc. above):right thighJudges 3:16,24; eye1 Samuel 11:2;Zechariah 11:17 (twice in verse); especially i.e.the right (upper)leg of sacrificial animalExodus 29:22;Leviticus 7:32,33;Leviticus 8:25,26;Leviticus 9:21;Numbers 18:18.
=south, because when facing east the right hand is toward the south:1 Samuel 23:19;1 Samuel 23:24;Ezekiel 16:46 ("" );Psalm 89:13; perhaps alsoPsalm 107:3, see
Topical Lexicon
Semantic Range and Literal Usageיָמִין describes the right side of a person, object, or place. It functions in everyday narratives—“Then Jacob stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim’s head” (Genesis 48:14)—and in military reports, as when warriors are stationed at the king’s right (Psalm 110:5). When an Israelite faced sunrise, the right side pointed south, so the term naturally extended to that compass point (Joshua 17:7-9). In court settings, parties stood at the accuser’s or defender’s right (Psalm 109:31).
Geographical Orientation and the Right-South Axis
Ancient Israel oriented maps eastward. Thus “south” is literally “right” (Genesis 13:9;Ezekiel 47:19). Tribal allotments are sometimes fixed by יָמִין: “The border went down to the valley of Ben Hinnom, south of the Jebusite slope” (Joshua 18:16). This dual meaning reinforces that Scripture weds spiritual symbolism to geographic reality.
The Right Hand of Strength and Protection
יָמִין most often highlights divine power. “Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power” (Exodus 15:6). The imagery assures Israel of unfailing protection: “You hold me by my right hand” (Psalm 73:23). In battle language, God’s right scatters enemies (Psalm 118:15-16) and plants Israel in the land (Psalm 44:3).
The Right Hand in Blessing and Inheritance
Placing the right hand conferred primacy (Genesis 48:13-20). Solomon sat at David’s right (1 Kings 2:19), signaling shared rule. Priestly ordination involved blood on the right ear, thumb, and toe (Leviticus 8:23-24), setting apart hearing, service, and walk for God.
Oaths, Worship, and Judicial Acts
Swearing with the raised right hand invoked divine witness (Isaiah 62:8). Worshipers lifted right hands in praise (Psalm 63:4). In legal scenes the right side is the place of advocacy: “He will stand at the right hand of the needy to save them from those who judge them” (Psalm 109:31).
Messianic and Royal Connotations
Psalm 110:1 anchors royal theology: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” This enthronement image frames later prophetic scenes where the anointed One wields the scepter from the right (Zechariah 3:1-2; cf.Psalm 80:17). The right hand thus anticipates the Messiah’s exaltation and ultimate victory.
Eschatological Hope and Cosmic Order
Isaiah 41:10 links end-time assurance to יָמִין: “I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” When God judges nations, the righteous find security at His right (Psalm 16:8-11), while the wicked “are shaken from the south” (Job 9:6 KJV; implied in the use of יָמִין). Restoration oracles often pivot on God acting by His right hand (Isaiah 48:13).
Practical Ministry Applications
1. Assurance: Preachers can anchor believer security in the unchanging strength of God’s right hand (Psalm 139:10).
2. Worship: Lifting hands mirrors biblical posture, acknowledging dependence on divine power (Lamentations 3:41).
3. Leadership: Elders can model Jacob’s discerning blessing, honoring God’s choice over human custom (Genesis 48:19).
4. Counseling: Believers facing fear can reciteIsaiah 41:13—“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand.”
Representative References
Genesis 24:49; 29:25; 48:14
Exodus 15:6, 12; 29:20
Leviticus 14:14-17
Numbers 20:17
Deuteronomy 5:32; 33:2
Joshua 1:7; 23:6
Judges 3:21; 20:16
1 Samuel 6:12; 11:2
2 Samuel 16:6
1 Kings 2:19
2 Chronicles 3:17
Nehemiah 8:4
Job 23:9; 40:14
Psalm 16:8-11; 17:7; 20:6; 44:3; 60:5; 63:8; 73:23; 98:1; 109:31; 110:1; 118:15-16; 144:8
Proverbs 3:16; 27:16
Ecclesiastes 10:2
Isaiah 41:10-13; 45:1; 48:13; 62:8
Jeremiah 22:24
Ezekiel 16:46; 47:3
Daniel 12:7
Zechariah 3:1-2; 12:6
Forms and Transliterations
בִּֽימִינ֖וֹ בִּֽימִינ֞וֹ בִּֽימִינֶֽךָ׃ בִּֽימִינָ֑הּ בִּֽימִינוֹ֙ בִּימִ֥ין בִּימִינ֖וֹ בִּימִינְךָ֣ בִּימִינִֽי׃ בִֽימִינ֗וֹ בימין בימינה בימינו בימיני׃ בימינך בימינך׃ הַיָּמִ֑ין הַיָּמִ֔ין הַיָּמִ֖ין הַיָּמִֽין׃ הַיָּמִין֙ הימין הימין׃ וְ֭יָמִין וִֽ֝ימִינָ֗ם וִֽימִינ֖וֹ וִֽימִינְךָ֥ וִֽימִינִ֖י וִֽימִינֶ֑ךָ וִֽימִינָ֖הּ וִימִינ֖וֹ וימין וימינה וימינו וימיני וימינך וימינם יְ֝מִֽינְךָ יְ֝מִינ֗וֹ יְמִ֣ין יְמִ֣ינְךָ֔ יְמִ֥ין יְמִֽינְךָ֑ יְמִֽינְךָ֙ יְמִֽינְךָ֣ יְמִֽינְךָ֥ יְמִינ֑וֹ יְמִינ֖וֹ יְמִינ֛וֹ יְמִינ֜וֹ יְמִינ֣וֹ יְמִינ֤וֹ יְמִינְךָ֖ יְמִינִ֑י יְמִינִֽי׃ יְמִינֶ֑ךָ יְמִינֶֽךָ׃ יְמִינָ֔ם יְמִינֽוֹ׃ יְמִינוֹ֙ יָ֝מִ֗ין יָמִ֑ין יָמִ֖ין יָמִ֣ין יָמִ֥ין יָמִ֧ין יָמִ֨ין ׀ יָמִין֙ יָמִין֮ ימין ימינו ימינו׃ ימיני ימיני׃ ימינך ימינך׃ ימינם לִֽ֝ימִינְךָ֗ לִֽימִינ֔וֹ לִֽימִינִ֑י לִֽימִינֽוֹ׃ לִימִ֣ין לַיָּמִין֙ לימין לימינו לימינו׃ לימיני לימינך מִֽ֝ימִינִ֗י מִֽימִינ֕וֹ מִֽימִינֵ֔ךְ מִֽימִינָ֖ם מִיָּמִ֔ין מִיָּמִ֖ין מִיָּמִ֜ין מִיָּמִ֗ין מִימִ֣ין מִימִ֥ין מִימִינ֖וֹ מִימִינֶ֑ךָ מימין מימינו מימיני מימינך מימינם bî·mî·nāh bî·mî·ne·ḵā bî·mî·nə·ḵā bî·mî·nî bî·mî·nōw ḇî·mî·nōw bî·mîn biMin bîmîn bimiNah bîmînāh bimineCha bîmîneḵā bîmînəḵā bimiNi bîmînî bimiNo bîmînōw ḇîmînōw haiyaMin hay·yā·mîn hayyāmîn laiyaMin lay·yā·mîn layyāmîn lî·mî·nə·ḵā lî·mî·nî lî·mî·nōw lî·mîn liMin lîmîn liminecha lîmînəḵā limiNi lîmînî limino lîmînōw mî·mî·nām mî·mî·ne·ḵā mî·mî·nêḵ mî·mî·nî mî·mî·nōw mî·mîn mî·yā·mîn miMin mîmîn mimiNam mîmînām mimiNech mimiNecha mîmînêḵ mîmîneḵā mimiNi mîmînî mimiNo mîmînōw miyaMin mîyāmîn Veyamin vimiNah vimiNam vimineCha vimiNi vimiNo wə·yā·mîn wəyāmîn wî·mî·nāh wî·mî·nām wî·mî·ne·ḵā wî·mî·nə·ḵā wî·mî·nî wî·mî·nōw wîmînāh wîmînām wîmîneḵā wîmînəḵā wîmînî wîmînōw yā·mîn yaMin yāmîn yə·mî·nām yə·mî·ne·ḵā yə·mî·nə·ḵā yə·mî·nî yə·mî·nōw yə·mîn yeMin yəmîn yemiNam yəmînām yemineCha yəmîneḵā yəmînəḵā yemiNi yəmînî yemiNo yəmînōw
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