What is the significance of left and right in the Bible?
by Matt Slick | Aug 15, 2015 | Questions, The Bible
Something as simple as left and right in the Bible may not seem to be significant. However, you might be surprised to learn that studying how God uses individual words, can be beneficial. In this case, the word “left” and the word “right” have many different usages. Sometimes the words can mean position, a direction, etc. The word “left” can mean that which remains (Genesis 7:23; Exodus 34:25; Psalm 106:11), a direction (Genesis 13:9), to leave something with someone (Genesis 39:6), the side of a person (Leviticus 14:16; Song of Solomon 2:6), a representation (Isaiah 1:8), to leave (Matthew 2:12), etc. Likewise, “right” can mean that which is correct (Genesis 24:48; Mark 5:15), the side of a person (Genesis 48:13; Psalm 16:8), authority (Psalm 50:16; John 1:12), that which is proper (Matthew 20:4), etc.
But besides these, there are symbolic uses of left and right. For example, on the day of judgment, those who are condemned to run the left of Christ and those who are saved are on his right (Matthew 25:33). Please consider the following categories designated by left and right.
The blessing of laying the right hand was greater than the left hand.
Gen. 48:17-19, “When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on Ephraim’s head, it displeased him; and he grasped his father’s hand to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. 18 Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn. Place your right hand on his head.” 19 But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know; he also will become a people and he also will be great. However, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.”
Judgment for those on the left of Christ, salvation is on his right.
Matthew 25:33, 41, “and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. 41 Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels.”
Wisdom is to the right; foolishness is to the left
Ecclesiastes 10:2, “A wise man’s heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man’s heart directs him toward the left.”
Ordination of Aaron and sons as priests were on the right ear, thumb of the right hand, and big toe on the right foot