Topical Encyclopedia
The term "right-hand" holds significant symbolic and theological meaning throughout the Bible, often representing power, authority, blessing, and favor. In biblical times, the right hand was considered the hand of strength and skill, and it frequently appears in Scripture to convey divine power and protection.
Symbol of Power and AuthorityThe right hand is frequently associated with God's power and authority. In
Exodus 15:6, during the Song of Moses, it is declared, "Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power; Your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy." This verse highlights the right hand as a symbol of God's might and His ability to deliver His people from their foes.
Similarly, in
Psalm 110:1, a Messianic psalm, the LORD says to the Messiah, "Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet." Here, the right hand signifies a place of honor and authority, indicating the Messiah's exalted position and His ultimate victory over His enemies.
Divine Protection and SupportThe right hand is also a metaphor for God's protection and support. In
Isaiah 41:10, God reassures His people, "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." This passage emphasizes God's commitment to uphold and sustain His people with His powerful and righteous right hand.
Blessing and FavorIn biblical narratives, the right hand is often associated with blessing and favor. In
Genesis 48:14, when Jacob blesses Joseph's sons, he crosses his hands to place his right hand on Ephraim, the younger son, signifying the greater blessing. This act demonstrates the cultural and spiritual significance of the right hand in bestowing favor and blessing.
Christ at the Right Hand of GodIn the New Testament, the right hand of God is a key theme in the exaltation of Jesus Christ. After His resurrection and ascension, Christ is described as seated at the right hand of God, a position of supreme authority and honor. In
Mark 16:19, it is recorded, "After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God." This imagery underscores Christ's divine authority and His role as intercessor for believers.
Judgment and SalvationThe right hand also plays a role in eschatological themes of judgment and salvation. In
Matthew 25:33, during the parable of the sheep and the goats, Jesus says, "He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left." The right hand here symbolizes the place of favor and acceptance, as the sheep represent those who have followed Christ and are granted eternal life.
In summary, the right hand in the Bible is a multifaceted symbol representing God's power, authority, protection, and blessing. It is a position of honor and favor, both in divine-human relationships and in the exaltation of Christ.
ATS Bible Dictionary
Right-HandThe most efficient member of the body,Matthew 5:30, and the ready executor of the behests of the will. Hence its use as a symbol of many of the strongest emotions of the inner man. The right-hand is significant of power, especially the almighty power of God,Exodus 15:6Psalm 21:8 77:10; of honor,Psalm 45:9Matthew 25:34Acts 7:55; of special benediction,Genesis 48:14; of fraternal love,Galatians 2:9; of hostility,Psalm 109:6Zechariah 3:1; and of allegiance,1 Chronicles 29:24. It was raised in the act of prayer, and also in taking an oath,Genesis 14:22; hence the right-hand of a perjured man was "a right-hand of falsehood,"Psalm 144:8. In regard to the points of the compass, the right-hand in Hebrew denotes the south,1 Samuel 23:19 24:1-22; as the left-hand means the north,Genesis 14:15. SeeEAST.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Situated or being on the right; nearer the right hand than the left; as, the right-hand side, room, or road.
2. (a.) Chiefly relied on; almost indispensable.
Greek
1188. dexios -- theright hand or side... the
right hand or side. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: dexios Phonetic
Spelling: (dex-ee-os') Short Definition: on the
right hand,
right hand, right
...1187. dexiolabos -- probably a spearman or slinger
... Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: dexiolabos Phonetic Spelling:
(dex-ee-ol-ab'-os) Short Definition: one posted on theright hand, a spear-man...
5051. teleiotes -- a completer, finisher
... joy set before Him, endured a cross (4716 ), despising the shame -- and in combination
(5037 ) has taken-seat (Gk perfect tense), (1722 ) theright hand of the...
Strong's Hebrew
3231. yaman -- to go to or choose the right, to use theright hand... 3230, 3231. yaman. 3232 . to go to or choose the right, to use the
right hand.
Transliteration: yaman Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-man') Short Definition: right
...3225. yamin --right hand
... 3224, 3225. yamin. 3226 .right hand. Transliteration: yamin Phonetic Spelling:
(yaw-meen') Short Definition: hand.... left-handed,right hand, side, south....
3233. yemani --right hand, right
... 3232, 3233. yemani. 3234 .right hand, right. Transliteration: yemani Phonetic
Spelling: (yem-aw-nee') Short Definition: right.... on theright hand....
3227. yemini -- on theright hand
... 3226, 3227. yemini. 3228 . on theright hand. Transliteration: yemini Phonetic
Spelling: (yem-ee-nee') Short Definition: right.... on theright hand...
1144. Binyamin -- "son of (the)right hand," youngest son of Jacob...
... 1143, 1144. Binyamin. 1145 . "son of (the)right hand," youngest son
of Jacob, also the name of two other Isr . Transliteration...
4509. Minyamin -- "from theright hand," the name of several...
... Minyamin. 4510 . "from theright hand," the name of several Israelites.
Transliteration: Minyamin Phonetic Spelling: (min-yaw-meen') Short Definition: Miniamin...
541. aman -- turn to the right
... Word Origin the same as yaman, qv. turn to the right Denominative from yamiyn; to
take theright hand road -- turn to the right. See 'aman. see HEBREW yamiyn....
3232. Yimnah -- "good fortune," two Israelites
... From yaman; prosperity (as betokened by theright hand); Jimnah, the name of two
Israelites; also (with the article) of the posterity of one of them -- Imna...
8486. teman -- south, south wind
... south side,. Or teman {tay-mawn'}; denominative from yamiyn; the south (as being
on theright hand of a person facing the east) -- south (side, -ward, wind)....
539. aman -- to confirm, support
... 30:21; interchangeable with 'aman) to go to theright hand -- hence, assurance,
believe, bring up, establish, + fail, be faithful (of long continuance, stedfast...
Library
TheRight Hand and the Left.
... THERIGHT HAND AND THE LEFT. Take heed... darkness. But when thou doest alms,
let not thy left hand know what thyright hand doeth. How...
To Sit at theRight Hand of the Father is a Mystery Belonging to...
... 32. To sit at theright hand of the Father is a mystery belonging to the
Incarnation. For it does not befit that incorporeal nature...
"He Ascended into Heaven:" Believe. "He Sitteth at theRight Hand...
... Section 11. "He ascended into heaven:" believe. "He sitteth at theright hand of
the Father? 11.... "He sitteth at theright hand of the Father:" believe....
He Ascended into Heaven, and Sitteth on theRight Hand of the...
... 31. He Ascended into Heaven, and Sitteth on theRight Hand of the Father:
from Thence He Shall Come to Judge the Quick and the Dead....
Christ's Cross and Burial, Resurrection, Ascension, and Sitting...
... Chapter 53."Christ's Cross and Burial, Resurrection, Ascension, and Sitting Down
at theRight Hand of God, are Images of the Christian Life....
Of Christ's Session at the Father'sRight Hand.
... Chapter 7."Of Christ's Session at the Father'sRight Hand. 14. We believe
also that He Sitteth at theRight Hand of the Father....
His Left Hand is under My Head, and hisRight Hand Shall Embrace...
... CHAPTER II. 6. His left hand is under my head, and hisright hand shall embrace
me. She begins to understand the mystery, and, repenting...
Eleventh Sunday after Trinity. In Thy Presence is Fulness of Joy...
... Eleventh Sunday after Trinity. In Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy
right hand there are pleasures for evermore. In Thy presence...
Easter Day. Evening. If Ye Then be Risen with Christ, Seek those...
... Easter Day. Evening. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which
are above, where Christ sitteth on theright hand of God....
Why is it Added, "And Sitteth at theRight Hand of God"?
... Lord's Day 19 Question 50 Why is it added, "and sitteth at theright hand of
God"? Why is it added, "and sitteth at theright hand of God"?...
Thesaurus
Right-hand (3 Occurrences)Right-
hand. Rightfully,
Right-
hand. Right-handed . Noah Webster's Dictionary
... Multi-Version Concordance
Right-
hand (3 Occurrences).
...Tip (17 Occurrences)
... some of its blood, and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and on the tip
of the right ear of his sons, and on the thumb of theirrighthand, and on...
Thumb (7 Occurrences)
... some of its blood, and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and on the tip
of the right ear of his sons, and on the thumb of theirrighthand, and on...
Toe (7 Occurrences)
... some of its blood, and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and on the tip
of the right ear of his sons, and on the thumb of theirrighthand, and on...
Big (21 Occurrences)
... some of its blood, and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and on the tip
of the right ear of his sons, and on the thumb of theirrighthand, and on...
E'phraim (146 Occurrences)
... Genesis 48:13 Joseph took them both, Ephraim in hisrighthand toward Israel's left
hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel'srighthand, and brought...
Deceitful (46 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 144:8 In whose mouths are false words,
and whoserighthand is arighthand of deceit. (See NIV)....
Footstool (16 Occurrences)
... Matthew 22:44 'The Lord said to my Lord, sit on myrighthand, until I make
your enemies a footstool for your feet?' (WEB KJV WBS YLT)....
Sit (216 Occurrences)
... Matthew 20:21 He said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Command that
these, my two sons, may sit, one on yourrighthand, and one on your left hand...
Victory (71 Occurrences)
... Job 40:14 Then I will also admit to you that your ownrighthand can save you.
(See RSV).... Yourrighthand sustains me. Your gentleness has made me great....
Resources
Why does Scripture emphasize the right hand of God? | 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.orgWhat is the right hand of fellowship (Galatians 2:9)? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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