Lexical Summary semovl or semol: Left, left hand, left side Original Word: שְׂמֹאול Strong's Exhaustive Concordance left hand, side Or smosl {sem-ole'}; a primitive word (rather perhaps from the same as simlah (by insertion of the aleph) through the idea of wrapping up); properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e. The north; hence (by orientation), the left hand -- left (hand, side). see HEBREW simlah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition the left NASB Translation left (40), left hand (10), left side (1), north (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs שְׂמאֹל, שְׂמאֹול (BaerJoshua 1:7)54 noun [masculine] the left (Late Hebrew id.; Assyrian šumêlu; Arabic 1 left, region on the left, Genesis 13:9 (J); on the left is ׳עַלשּֿׂ 2 Kings 23:8; Ezekiel 16:46; Zechariah 4:3,11, ׳עַלהַֿשּׂ 1 Chronicles 6:29 compare 2 Chronicles 18:18, also ׳מִשּׂ (a sinistra) Exodus 14:22,29 (P), 2 Samuel 16:6 7t. + ׳מִהַשּׂ2Chronicles 3:17; Ezekiel 1:10, ׳לִשׂ Ecclesiastes 10:2, ׳שׂ alone Job 23:9; toward the left is ׳עַלשֿׂ Genesis 24:49 (J), 2 Samuel 2:21; Zechariah 12:6, ׳עַלהַֿשּׂ 2 Samuel 2:19, ׳שׂ alone 1 Samuel 6:12; Isaiah 9:20 13t. 2 ׳יַדשֿׂ left hand, Judges 3:21; Judges 7:20, so ׳שׂ alone Genesis 48:18,13,14 (E), Judges 16:29; Ezekiel 39:8; Jonah 4:11; Proverbs 3:16; Daniel 12:7; Songs 2:6; Songs 8:3. 3 = north (on left of one facing east, compare אָחוֺר d, יָמִין 4, קֶדֶם 1 b) Genesis 14:15; Joshua 19:27(P); of. Ezekiel 16:46. Topical Lexicon Directional and Geographic UsageThe word most often designates the literal “left side” when a person or object is oriented toward the east—Israel’s standard frame of reference. In travel narratives it contrasts with the “right” (yamin), marking alternative routes or boundaries (Genesis 13:9; Numbers 22:26; 2 Samuel 14:19). When the Red Sea parted, “the Israelites had walked through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left” (Exodus 14:29), a vivid directional detail that heightens the miracle’s realism. Judges, Kings, and Chronicles employ the term while describing troop placements, city gates, and temple furnishings, ensuring the reader can visualize sacred space with precision (1 Kings 7:39; 2 Chronicles 3:17). Covenant Obedience: “Do Not Turn Aside” A prominent theological theme emerges in the repeated injunction “do not turn to the right or to the left.” Moses, Joshua, and later kings relay this charge to underscore single-minded adherence to the covenant (Deuteronomy 5:32; 17:11; Joshua 1:7; 2 Kings 22:2). The left-hand reference, therefore, functions as a moral compass: any deviation, whether minor (right) or major (left), is disobedience. By pairing right and left the text closes every loophole, urging Israel to stay centered on divine revelation. Symbolic Contrast with the Right Hand Hebrew thought regularly associates the right hand with strength, favor, and primacy; by contrast the left hand may symbolize what is secondary, weaker, or even suspect. Wisdom literature captures the polarity: “A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left” (Ecclesiastes 10:2). In royal visions the heavenly host stands on both sides of God’s throne (1 Kings 22:19), yet the absence of anyone seated at the left reinforces the unique honor reserved for the Messiah at the Father’s right hand (Psalm 110:1; Acts 2:33). Judgment, Misfortune, and Vulnerability Because the left side carried notions of lesser strength, biblical authors sometimes invoke it to intensify scenes of peril. Shimei’s barrage of stones “hit David and all the servants of King David… on David’s right and left” (2 Samuel 16:6). A thousand may fall at one’s side, “ten thousand at your right hand” (Psalm 91:7), but safety is found only in the Lord. The prophetic image of nations being consumed on the right and left (Zechariah 12:6) depicts total surrounding judgment. Balance within Blessing Despite these negative connotations, the left side is not inherently cursed. Wisdom “has long life in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor” (Proverbs 3:16). The bride in Song of Solomon delights that her beloved’s “left arm is under my head” (Song of Solomon 2:6), a tender picture of security. Jacob’s crossed-hand blessing placed Ephraim at his left, yet still within the sphere of patriarchal benediction (Genesis 48:13-20). Thus, divine blessing can flow to either hand according to sovereign choice. Military and Tribal Contexts The tribe of Benjamin (“son of the right hand”) famously produced left-handed warriors (Judges 3:15; 20:16, using a cognate of the root). Their ambidexterity highlights that victory depends on God rather than conventional advantage. Strategic references to soldiers arrayed on the left (1 Chronicles 12:2) show the practicality of this orientation in battle formations, preventing blind spots and enabling coordinated attack. Cultic and Architectural Significance Temple and tabernacle descriptions contain meticulous left-right specifications that safeguard the holiness of worship. The bronze lavers in Solomon’s temple were placed “five on the right side and five on the left” (1 Kings 7:39), balancing the courtyard visually and symbolically. Ezekiel’s visionary temple also notes gates, chambers, and altars on the left, affirming that sacred space mirrors divine order (Ezekiel 40:18-46). Prophetic and Wisdom Literature Isaiah’s promise that Zion will “spread out to the right and to the left” (Isaiah 54:3) envisions expansive restoration. Conversely, Ezekiel likens Samaria and Sodom to sisters on Judah’s left and right (Ezekiel 16:46), framing Judah’s sins against a moral backdrop. The polarity sharpens prophetic indictment and hope alike. Foreshadowing New Testament Imagery Although Strong’s 8040 appears only in the Old Testament, its conceptual backdrop informs Jesus’ parable of the sheep and goats where the goats stand at the left (Matthew 25:33). The established Hebrew symbolism of lesser status and judgment prepares readers to grasp the gravity of eternal separation from Christ. Pastoral and Devotional Applications 1. Single-minded discipleship: The “no right or left” idiom challenges believers to uncompromising obedience to Scripture. Summary Strong’s Hebrew 8040 illuminates far more than a spatial direction. It enriches biblical narrative, law, poetry, prophecy, and theology—contrasting folly with wisdom, disobedience with loyalty, judgment with blessing. Whether marking a path through parted seas or exhorting hearts to steadfastness, the “left side” serves the larger scriptural purpose of pointing God’s people toward the centrality of His covenant and the supremacy of His right-hand salvation in Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations בִּ֝שְׂמֹאולָ֗הּ בִּשְׂמֹאלֽוֹ׃ בִשְׂמֹאל֖וֹ בשמאולה בשמאלו בשמאלו׃ הַשְּׂמָאלִ֖י הַשְּׂמֹ֑אול הַשְּׂמֹ֔אול הַשְּׂמֹ֣אל השמאול השמאל השמאלי וּמִשְּׂמֹאל֗וֹ וּמִשְּׂמֹאלָֽם וּמִשְּׂמֹאלָֽם׃ וּמִשְּׂמֹאלֽוֹ׃ וּשְׂמֹ֑אול וּשְׂמֹ֔אול וּשְׂמֹ֖אול וּשְׂמֹֽאול׃ וּשְׂמֹֽאל׃ וּשְׂמֹאלֽוֹ׃ וּשְׂמֹאלוֹ֙ ומשמאלו ומשמאלו׃ ומשמאלם ומשמאלם׃ ושמאול ושמאול׃ ושמאל׃ ושמאלו ושמאלו׃ לִשְׂמֹאל֔וֹ לִשְׂמֹאלֽוֹ׃ לשמאלו לשמאלו׃ מִשְּׂמֹ֑אול מִשְּׂמֹ֖אל מִשְּׂמֹ֛אול מִשְּׂמֹ֣אל מִשְּׂמֹֽאול׃ מִשְּׂמֹֽאל׃ מִשְּׂמֹאול֙ מִשְּׂמֹאל֑וֹ מֵֽהַשְּׂמֹ֖אול מהשמאול משמאול משמאול׃ משמאל משמאל׃ משמאלו שְׂמֹ֖אול שְׂמֹ֛אול שְׂמֹ֣אול שְׂמֹ֥אול שְׂמֹֽאל׃ שְׂמֹאולֵ֑ךְ שְׂמֹאולֶ֑ךָ שְׂמֹאולָֽהּ׃ שְׂמֹאל֔וֹ שְׂמֹאל֖וֹ שְׂמֹאלֶ֔ךָ שְׂמֹאלָֽהּ׃ שְׂמֹאלוֹ֙ שְׂמאוֹלָם֙ שמאול שמאולה׃ שמאולך שמאולם שמאל׃ שמאלה׃ שמאלו שמאלך biś·mō·lōw ḇiś·mō·lōw biś·mō·w·lāh bismoLah bismoLo biśmōlōw ḇiśmōlōw biśmōwlāh haś·śə·mā·lî haś·śə·mō·wl haś·śə·mōl hassemaLi haśśəmālî hasseMol haśśəmōl haśśəmōwl liś·mō·lōw lismoLo liśmōlōw mê·haś·śə·mō·wl mehasseMol mêhaśśəmōwl miś·śə·mō·lōw miś·śə·mō·wl miś·śə·mōl misseMol miśśəmōl missemoLo miśśəmōlōw miśśəmōwl śə·m·’ō·w·lām śə·mō·lāh śə·mō·le·ḵā śə·mō·lōw śə·mō·w·lāh śə·mō·w·le·ḵā śə·mō·w·lêḵ śə·mō·wl śə·mōl śəm’ōwlām seMol śəmōl semoLah śəmōlāh semoLam semoLech semoLecha śəmōleḵā semoLo śəmōlōw śəmōwl śəmōwlāh śəmōwlêḵ śəmōwleḵā ū·miś·śə·mō·lām ū·miś·śə·mō·lōw ū·śə·mō·lōw ū·śə·mō·wl ū·śə·mōl umissemoLam ūmiśśəmōlām umissemoLo ūmiśśəmōlōw useMol ūśəmōl usemoLo ūśəmōlōw ūśəmōwl vismoLoLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 13:9 HEB: מֵעָלָ֑י אִם־ הַשְּׂמֹ֣אל וְאֵימִ֔נָה וְאִם־ NAS: from me; if [to] the left, then I will go to the right; KJV: separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if [thou wilt take] the left hand, then I will go to the right; INT: and if the left will go if Genesis 14:15 Genesis 24:49 Genesis 48:13 Genesis 48:13 Genesis 48:14 Exodus 14:22 Exodus 14:29 Numbers 20:17 Numbers 22:26 Deuteronomy 2:27 Deuteronomy 5:32 Deuteronomy 17:11 Deuteronomy 17:20 Deuteronomy 28:14 Joshua 1:7 Joshua 19:27 Joshua 23:6 Judges 3:21 Judges 7:20 Judges 16:29 1 Samuel 6:12 2 Samuel 2:19 2 Samuel 2:21 2 Samuel 16:6 54 Occurrences |
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(also 
and 
, 
, north wind); Old Aramaic שמאל, Palmyrene (suffix) סמלך; Syriac 
; √ dubious, שאם + ל NöM 128 HomA. u. A. i. (1892), 21 Köii. 1. 148, 405; (see also Thes DietrWortforschung 234), compare Arabic 
be unlucky, 
left, 
, 
north; Sabean שאם north, unlucky DHMEpigr. Denkm. 29; Epigr. Denkm. Arabic Nos. 6. 7; other views in Sta§ 299 LagBN 116); — שְׂמאֹל abs,