Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the term "left" often carries symbolic and literal meanings, appearing in various contexts throughout the Scriptures. The word "left" can refer to direction, position, or even a state of being forsaken or abandoned.
1.
Directional Use: The term "left" is frequently used in the Bible to denote direction. For instance, in
Genesis 13:9, Abram offers Lot the choice of land, saying, "Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you go to the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I will go to the left." Here, "left" is used in a literal sense to describe geographical orientation.
2.
Symbolic Meaning: In biblical symbolism, the right hand is often associated with power, authority, and blessing, while the left hand can sometimes imply the opposite. This is evident in
Matthew 25:33, where Jesus describes the final judgment: "He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left." In this passage, those on the left are separated for judgment, indicating a position of disfavor.
3.
Cultural Context: In ancient Near Eastern culture, the right hand was typically seen as the hand of strength and favor, while the left hand was considered weaker or less honorable. This cultural understanding is reflected in various biblical passages, where the right hand is associated with God's power and deliverance (e.g.,
Exodus 15:6).
4.
Metaphorical Use: The concept of being "left" can also metaphorically describe abandonment or being forsaken. In
Psalm 22:1, David cries out, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" Although the word "left" is not directly used, the sentiment of being left alone or abandoned is evident in the plea.
5.
Moral and Ethical Implications: The Bible sometimes uses "left" to describe moral or ethical deviation. In
Ecclesiastes 10:2, it is written, "The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left." Here, "left" symbolizes foolishness or moral error, contrasting with the wisdom associated with the right.
6.
Judicial Context: In judicial settings, being on the left can imply a position of judgment or condemnation. As seen in
Matthew 25:41, Jesus says to those on His left, "Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." This reinforces the notion of the left as a place of judgment.
Throughout the Bible, the use of "left" is multifaceted, encompassing literal, symbolic, and metaphorical meanings. Its interpretation often depends on the context, reflecting cultural norms and theological principles of the time.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Left hand
Among the Hebrews, denoted the north (Job 23:9;Genesis 14:15), the face of the person being supposed to be toward the east.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
imp. & p. p.) of Leave.
2. (imp. & p. p.) of Leave.
3. (a.) of or pertaining to that side of the body in man on which the muscular action of the limbs is usually weaker than on the other side; -- opposed to right, when used in reference to a part of the body; as, the left hand, or arm; the left ear. Also said of the corresponding side of the lower animals.
4. (n.) That part of surrounding space toward which the left side of one's body is turned; as, the house is on the left when you face North.
5. (n.) Those members of a legislative assembly (as in France) who are in the opposition; the advanced republicans and extreme radicals. They have their seats at the left-hand side of the presiding officer. See Center, and Right.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
LEFTleft (sama'l, "to go to the left," "to turn to the left," semo'l, "the left hand," sema'li, "belonging to the left," "situated on the left"; aristeros, and euphemistically euonumos, literally, "having a good name," "of good omen"): The words are chiefly used in orientation with or without the addition of the word "hand." So Abraham says to Lot: "If thou wilt take the left hand (semo'l), then I will go to the right; or if thou take the right hand, then I will go to the left (sama'l)" (Genesis 13:9). Frequently in Hebrew idiom the right hand and the left are mentioned together in order to express the idea "everywhere," "anywhere," "altogether" (Genesis 24:49Exodus 14:22, 29Numbers 22:26Deuteronomy 2:27;Deuteronomy 5:322 Corinthians 6:7). In the geographical sense the left is synonymous with north (Genesis 14:15Joshua 19:27Ezekiel 16:46Acts 21:3). While the left hand is considered as weaker than the right (see LEFTHANDED), it is the hand which holds the bow (Ezekiel 39:3). The left hand is the side from which bad omens come, and therefore less lucky and less honored than the right hand (see HAND, note).
H. L. E. Luering
Greek
2176. euonumos -- of good name, euph. forleft... for
left. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: euonumos Phonetic Spelling:
(yoo-o'-noo-mos) Short Definition: on the
left-hand side,
left Definition: (lit
...710. aristeros -- better, euph. forleft, on theleft
... forleft, on theleft. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: aristeros Phonetic
Spelling: (ar-is-ter-os') Short Definition: on theleft hand Definition: on...
1954. epiloipos -- stillleft
... stillleft. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: epiloipos Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-il'-oy-pos) Short Definition: remaining, that isleft over Definition...
4035. perileipomai -- to beleft remaining
... to beleft remaining. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: perileipomai Phonetic
Spelling: (per-ee-li'-po) Short Definition: I leave behind Definition: I leave...
3062. loipos -- the rest, the remaining
... the rest, the remaining. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: loipos Phonetic
Spelling: (loy-poy') Short Definition:left,left behind, the remainder...
4052. perisseuo -- to be over and above, to abound
... and above, to abound. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: perisseuo Phonetic Spelling:
(per-is-syoo'-o) Short Definition: I exceed, amleft over Definition: (...
4051. perisseuma -- superfluity
... Word Origin from perisseuo Definition superfluity NASB Word Usage abundance (2),
full of what wasleft over (1), which fills (2). abundance, that wasleft....
2641. kataleipo -- to leave, leave behind
... leipo Definition to leave, leave behind NASB Word Usage forsaking (1), kept (1),
leave (4), leaves behind (1), leaving (3), leaving behind (1),left (8),left...
5275. hupoleipo -- a remnant
... Verb Transliteration: hupoleipo Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-ol-i'-po) Short Definition:
I leave behind Definition: I leave behind; pass: I amleft surviving....
1459. egkataleipo -- to leave behind, ie (in a good sense) let...
... 1459 (from 1722 , "in"; 2596 , "down"; and 3007 , "to leave") -- properly,left
in a condition of lack ("without"); hence, to feel forsaken (helpless), like...
Strong's Hebrew
8042. semali --left, on theleft... 8041, 8042. semali. 8043 .
left, on the
left. Transliteration: semali
Phonetic Spelling: (sem-aw-lee') Short Definition:
left. Word
...8040. semovl -- theleft
semovl or semol. 8039, 8040. semovl or semol. 8041 . theleft. Transliteration:
semovl or semol Phonetic Spelling: (sem-ole') Short Definition:left....
7604. shaar -- to remain, beleft over
... 7603, 7604. shaar. 7605 . to remain, beleft over. Transliteration: shaar Phonetic
Spelling: (shaw-ar') Short Definition:left. Word Origin a prim....
8041. simel -- to take theleft
... 8040, 8041. simel. 8042 . to take theleft. Transliteration: simel Phonetic
Spelling: (saw-mal') Short Definition:left. Word Origin...
3498. yathar -- to remain over
... 3497, 3498. yathar. 3499 . to remain over. Transliteration: yathar Phonetic
Spelling: (yaw-thar') Short Definition:left. Word Origin a prim....
5800a. azab -- to leave, forsake, loose
... 16), free (5), full* (1), give...vent (1), ignores (1), leave (26), leave them undone
(1), leave your behind (1), leaves (2), leaving (1),left (22),left me...
334. itter -- shut up, bound
... 333, 334. itter. 335 . shut up, bound. Transliteration: itter Phonetic Spelling:
(it-tare') Short Definition:left-handed....left-handed....
8300. sarid -- a survivor
... Word Origin from sarad Definition a survivor NASB Word Usageleft (1), remains
(1), remnant (2), survived (1), survivor (13), survivors (8), who survived (2)....
3225. yamin -- right hand
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition right hand NASB Word Usageleft-handed*
(2), right (49), right hand (75), right side (8), south (4), southward (1)....
3027. yad -- hand
... helpless* (1), herself (1), himself (1), hold* (1), human agency (1), idle* (1),
influence (1), jaws (1), labor (1), large* (2), leadership (1),left-handed* (2...
Library
The Hopeless Condition of theLeft-Behind Ones.
... Chapter Nine The Worldward Results of the Redeemer's Return 2. The Hopeless
condition of theleft-behind ones. What will happen...
Why WesleyLeft Georgia
... Chapter 2. Troubles in Georgia; Return to England; Peter Bohler; "I Felt
my Heart Strangely Warmed" Why Wesleyleft Georgia. Thursday...
Glory to God! the Christ HathLeft the Tomb,
... EASTER Glory to God! the Christ hathleft the tomb,. tr., John Brownlie... Glory to
God! the Christ hathleft the tomb,. And ere the dawn upon the earth had broke,....
Christ HathLeft the Dismal Tomb; --
... EASTER IX Christ hathleft the dismal tomb;". 7,8,7,6. Christ hathleft the dismal
tomb;". Glory, Glory, He is risen; Like a cloud hath passed the gloom,....
HisLeft Hand is under My Head, and his Right Hand Shall Embrace...
... CHAPTER II. 6. Hisleft hand is under my head, and his right hand shall embrace
me. She begins to understand the mystery, and, repenting...
"Well Then, when First, HavingLeft the Schools, I Attached Myself...
... Dialogues of Sulpitius Severus. Chapter I. "Well then, when first, having
left the schools, I attached myself to the blessed man?...
But Surely He that isLeft under a Necessity of Sinning as Long as...
... Address 226: But surely he that isleft under a necessity of sinning as
long as he? But surely he that isleft under a necessity...
HisLeft Hand Should be under My Head, and his Right Hand Should...
... CHAPTER VIII. 3. Hisleft hand should be under my head, and his right hand
should embrace me. As we have before said, God has two...
HeLeft one Shilling and Fourpence
... Chapter 8. Wesley and the Soldiers; In Ireland and Wales Again; Wesley Burned in
Effigy; Wesley as an Editor HeLeft One Shilling and Fourpence....
How Bishop Colman, HavingLeft Britain, Built Two Monasteries in...
... How Bishop Colman, havingleft Britain, built two monasteries in the country of
the Scots; the one for the Scots, the other for the English whom he had taken...
Thesaurus
Left (3923 Occurrences)...Left hand.
... 4. (n.) That part of surrounding space toward which the
left side of one's
body is turned; as, the house is on the
left when you face North.
...Left-handed (3 Occurrences)
Left-handed. Lefthanded,Left-handed. Leftover . Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Judges 3:15; 20:16), one unable to use the right hand...
Survivor (18 Occurrences)
... Numbers 21:35 So they struck him, and his sons and all his people, until there was
noneleft him remaining: and they possessed his land. (See RSV NIV)....
Abandoned (45 Occurrences)
... Acts 2:31 he foreseeing this spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that
neither was his soulleft in Hades, nor did his flesh see decay....
Survived (15 Occurrences)
... Joshua 13:12 all the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei
(the same wasleft of the remnant of the Rephaim); for Moses attacked these...
Survivors (49 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Numbers 21:35 So they struck him, and his sons and all his people, until
there was noneleft him remaining: and they possessed his land. (See NIV)....
Baskets (20 Occurrences)
... They took up twelve baskets full of that which remainedleft over from the broken
pieces.... They took up seven baskets of broken pieces that wereleft over....
Stubble (18 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The stumps of wheat, rye, barley, oats, or buckwheat,
left in the ground; the part of the stalkleft by the scythe or sickle....
Survive (20 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 4:27 Yahweh will scatter you among the peoples, and you shall beleft
few in number among the nations, where Yahweh shall lead you away. (See NIV)....
Served (182 Occurrences)
... Matthew 4:11 Then the devilleft him, and behold, angels came and served him.
(WEB). Matthew 8:15 He touched her hand, and the feverleft her....
Resources
What does the Bible say about being left-handed? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I be sure I won't be left behind in the rapture? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that we should not let our left hand know what our right hand is doing (Matthew 6:3 4)? | GotQuestions.orgLeft: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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