Jump to: ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms 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 handAmong 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 24:49 Exodus 14:22, 29 Numbers 22:26 Deuteronomy 2:27; Deuteronomy 5:32 2 Corinthians 6:7). In the geographical sense the left is synonymous with north (Genesis 14:15 Joshua 19:27 Ezekiel 16:46 Acts 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). Greek 2176. euonumos -- of good name, euph. for left ... for left. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: euonumos Phonetic Spelling: (yoo-o'-noo-mos) Short Definition: on the left-hand side, left Definition: (lit ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2176.htm - 6k 710. aristeros -- better, euph. for left, on the left 1954. epiloipos -- still left 4035. perileipomai -- to be left remaining 3062. loipos -- the rest, the remaining 4052. perisseuo -- to be over and above, to abound 4051. perisseuma -- superfluity 2641. kataleipo -- to leave, leave behind 5275. hupoleipo -- a remnant 1459. egkataleipo -- to leave behind, ie (in a good sense) let ... Strong's Hebrew 8042. semali -- left, on the left... 8041, 8042. semali. 8043 . left, on the left. Transliteration: semali Phonetic Spelling: (sem-aw-lee') Short Definition: left. Word ... /hebrew/8042.htm - 6k 8040. semovl -- the left 7604. shaar -- to remain, be left over 8041. simel -- to take the left 3498. yathar -- to remain over 5800a. azab -- to leave, forsake, loose 334. itter -- shut up, bound 8300. sarid -- a survivor 3225. yamin -- right hand 3027. yad -- hand Library The Hopeless Condition of the Left-Behind Ones. Why Wesley Left Georgia Glory to God! the Christ Hath Left the Tomb, Christ Hath Left the Dismal Tomb; -- His Left Hand is under My Head, and his Right Hand Shall Embrace ... "Well Then, when First, Having Left the Schools, I Attached Myself ... But Surely He that is Left under a Necessity of Sinning as Long as ... His Left Hand Should be under My Head, and his Right Hand Should ... He Left one Shilling and Fourpence How Bishop Colman, Having Left Britain, Built Two Monasteries in ... 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. ... /l/left.htm - 9k Left-handed (3 Occurrences) Survivor (18 Occurrences) Abandoned (45 Occurrences) Survived (15 Occurrences) Survivors (49 Occurrences) Baskets (20 Occurrences) Stubble (18 Occurrences) Survive (20 Occurrences) Served (182 Occurrences) 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.org What does it mean that we should not let our left hand know what our right hand is doing (Matthew 6:3 4)? | GotQuestions.org Left: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Left (3923 Occurrences)Left appears 3923 times in 12 translations. You can narrow your search using the Advanced Bible Search. Subtopics Related Terms |
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