Original Word: יָמִין
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: yamiyn
Pronunciation: yah-MEEN
Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-meen')
KJV: + left-handed, right (hand, side), south
NASB: right hand, right, right side, south, southward
Word Origin: [from H3231 (יָמַן - go to the right)]

1. the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous)
2. locally, the south

left-handed, right hand, side, south

From yaman; the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south -- + left-handed, right (hand, side), south.

see HEBREW yaman

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
right hand
NASB Translation
left-handed* (2), right (49), right hand (75), right side (8), south (4), southward (1).

I. יָמִין₁₃₇ noun feminine^{Exodus 15:6} (Proverbs 27:16 no except, see Now Str) right hand (Late Hebrew id.; SI³ מימן on the right; Aramaic יַמִּינָא, ; Arabic right, right side, right hand, south; Ethiopic right hand, right side, Sabean ימן right hand, ימנת soth, are also quoted; Assyrian imnu, right, right side, on the right, Dl^{HWB 307}) — absolute יָמִין Genesis 13:9 40t.; construct יְמִין 1 Samuel 23:24 19t.; suffix יְמִינִי Jeremiah 22:24 6t., etc.; always singular: —

1 right hand:

a. literally of man, often opposed to שׂמאֹול Genesis 48:13,14 (compare Genesis 48:18), Daniel 12:7; יָדַע בֵּיןיְֿמִינוֺ לִשְׂמאֹלוֺ Jonah 4:11 distinguish between one's right hand and one's left; שׁלח ימים Judges 5:26 ("" יד); as holding the lot Ezekiel 21:27; also of right hand as skilful Psalm 137:5; as receiving bribes Psalm 26:10 ("" יָדַיִן); used in false swearing יְמִינָם וְמִין שֶׁקֶר Psalm 144:8; Psalm 144:11 their right hand is a right hand of falsehood; oft also with יַד, יַדיִֿמִינוֺ Genesis 48:17 (E) hand of his right = his right hand Judges 7:20; 2 Samuel 20:9; אִטֵּר יַדיְֿמִינוֺ Judges 3:15; Judges 20:16 bound as to one's right hand, i.e. left-handed.

b. figurative, of right hand as held by ׳י Isaiah 41:13; Isaiah 45:1; so יַדיֿמיני Psalm 73:23.

c. right hand of ׳י, as instrument of delivering Israel Exodus 15:6 (twice in verse); Exodus 15:12 +, compare בִּגְכוּרוֺת יֵשַׁע יְמִינוֺ Psalm 20:7; שְׁנוֺת יְמִין עֶלְיוֺן Psalm 77:11; "" זְרוֺעַ Psalm 98:1; as acquiring the temple-site Psalm 78:54; as holding his servant Psalm 18:36 (line omitted in "" 2 Samuel 22:36), compare Psalm 63:9 & בִּימִין צִדְקִי Isaiah 41:10; as finding, lighting upon (מצא) his enemies Psalm 21:9 ("" יד); as full of צֶדֶק Psalm 48:11; as dispensing blessings Psalm 16:11 נעימות בימינך (compare Proverbs 3:16 of wisdom, personified); used in divine oath is Psalm 62:8 ("" זְרוֺעַ).

2 of situation on, or direction toward, the right:

a. of situation, with מִן, מִימִינָם וּמְשְּׂמאֹלָם Exodus 14:22,29 a wall on their right hand and on their left hand; similarly 2 Samuel 16:6; 1 Kings 7:39,49 2Chronicles 3:17; 4:6; 1 Kings 22:19 (= 2 Chronicles 18:18 with על), 2 Chronicles 4:7,8; Psalm 91:7 ("" מִצִּדְּךָ); for protection Psalm 16:8; מימין ל 2 Kings 23:13; Ezekiel 10:3; with לְ, וַתֵּשֶׁב לִימִינוֺ 1 Kings 2:19, so Psalm 110:1; Psalm 45:10; Psalm 109:31; with עַלֿ Zechariah 3:1; 1 Chronicles 6:24; 2Chronicles 18:18 (= 1 Kings 22:19 with מן), Nehemiah 8:4; Job 30:12; Psalm 109:6; compare Psalm 110:5; without preposition יְמִין הָעִיר 2 Samuel 24:5; Job 23:9.

b. of direction toward, literal נָטָה ימין Numbers 20:17; Numbers 22:26 (both J E); סוּר ימין Deuteronomy 2:27; 1 Samuel 6:12; ׳מָּרַץ ימין ושׂ Isaiah 54:3; also (verb הִמָּרֶד in prev. clause) Genesis 13:9; הַבֵּיט ימין Psalm 142:5; and looking is implied also in Ezekiel 1:10 (with אֶלֿ; opposed to מֵהַשְּׂמאֹול); with עַל, נטה (לָלֶכֶת) על הַיָּמִין 2 Samuel 2:19,21; פנה עליֿמין Genesis 24:49; followed by אֶל, of course (הלך) of boundary Joshua 17:1; with לְ, לַיָמִין מֵעַל לַחוֺמָה Nehemiah 12:31 (verb omitted, went) to the right above the wall; figurative of moral deviation, סוּר מִןהַֿדָּבָריָ֗֗֗מִין וּשְׂמאֹול Deuteronomy 17:11, so Deuteronomy 5:29; Deuteronomy 17:20; Deuteronomy 28:14; Joshua 1:7; Joshua 23:6; 2 Kings 22:2 2Chronicles 34:2; ׳נטה ימין ושׂ Proverbs 4:27; also (very late) of the right as morally good, לֵב חָכָן לִימִינוֺ (opposed to שׂמאל) Ecclesiastes 10:2 De Reuss Now.

3 of other parts of the body, besides hand (see יַדיֿמינו etc. above): right thigh יֶרֶךְ יְמִינוֺ Judges 3:16,24; eye עֵין יָמִין 1 Samuel 11:2; עין ימינו Zechariah 11:17 (twice in verse); especially שׁוֺק הַיָּמִין i.e. the right (upper) leg of sacrificial animal Exodus 29:22; Leviticus 7:32,33; Leviticus 8:25,26; Leviticus 9:21; Numbers 18:18.

4 = south, because when facing east the right hand is toward the south: מִימִין הַיְשִׁימוֺן 1 Samuel 23:19; אֶליְֿמִין 1 Samuel 23:24; ישׁב מִימִינֵךְ Ezekiel 16:46 ("" עלשֿׂמאולך); צָפוֺן וְיָמִין Psalm 89:13; perhaps also Psalm 107:3, see יָם 9

Semantic Range and Literal Usage

יָמִין describes the right side of a person, object, or place. It functions in everyday narratives—“Then Jacob stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim’s head” (Genesis 48:14)—and in military reports, as when warriors are stationed at the king’s right (Psalm 110:5). When an Israelite faced sunrise, the right side pointed south, so the term naturally extended to that compass point (Joshua 17:7-9). In court settings, parties stood at the accuser’s or defender’s right (Psalm 109:31).

Geographical Orientation and the Right-South Axis

Ancient Israel oriented maps eastward. Thus “south” is literally “right” (Genesis 13:9; Ezekiel 47:19). Tribal allotments are sometimes fixed by יָמִין: “The border went down to the valley of Ben Hinnom, south of the Jebusite slope” (Joshua 18:16). This dual meaning reinforces that Scripture weds spiritual symbolism to geographic reality.

The Right Hand of Strength and Protection

יָמִין most often highlights divine power. “Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power” (Exodus 15:6). The imagery assures Israel of unfailing protection: “You hold me by my right hand” (Psalm 73:23). In battle language, God’s right scatters enemies (Psalm 118:15-16) and plants Israel in the land (Psalm 44:3).

The Right Hand in Blessing and Inheritance

Placing the right hand conferred primacy (Genesis 48:13-20). Solomon sat at David’s right (1 Kings 2:19), signaling shared rule. Priestly ordination involved blood on the right ear, thumb, and toe (Leviticus 8:23-24), setting apart hearing, service, and walk for God.

Oaths, Worship, and Judicial Acts

Swearing with the raised right hand invoked divine witness (Isaiah 62:8). Worshipers lifted right hands in praise (Psalm 63:4). In legal scenes the right side is the place of advocacy: “He will stand at the right hand of the needy to save them from those who judge them” (Psalm 109:31).

Messianic and Royal Connotations

Psalm 110:1 anchors royal theology: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” This enthronement image frames later prophetic scenes where the anointed One wields the scepter from the right (Zechariah 3:1-2; cf. Psalm 80:17). The right hand thus anticipates the Messiah’s exaltation and ultimate victory.

Eschatological Hope and Cosmic Order

Isaiah 41:10 links end-time assurance to יָמִין: “I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” When God judges nations, the righteous find security at His right (Psalm 16:8-11), while the wicked “are shaken from the south” (Job 9:6 KJV; implied in the use of יָמִין). Restoration oracles often pivot on God acting by His right hand (Isaiah 48:13).

Practical Ministry Applications

1. Assurance: Preachers can anchor believer security in the unchanging strength of God’s right hand (Psalm 139:10).
2. Worship: Lifting hands mirrors biblical posture, acknowledging dependence on divine power (Lamentations 3:41).
3. Leadership: Elders can model Jacob’s discerning blessing, honoring God’s choice over human custom (Genesis 48:19).
4. Counseling: Believers facing fear can recite Isaiah 41:13—“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand.”

Representative References

Genesis 24:49; 29:25; 48:14

Exodus 15:6, 12; 29:20

Leviticus 14:14-17

Numbers 20:17

Deuteronomy 5:32; 33:2

Joshua 1:7; 23:6

Judges 3:21; 20:16

1 Samuel 6:12; 11:2

2 Samuel 16:6

1 Kings 2:19

2 Chronicles 3:17

Nehemiah 8:4

Job 23:9; 40:14

Psalm 16:8-11; 17:7; 20:6; 44:3; 60:5; 63:8; 73:23; 98:1; 109:31; 110:1; 118:15-16; 144:8

Proverbs 3:16; 27:16

Ecclesiastes 10:2

Isaiah 41:10-13; 45:1; 48:13; 62:8

Jeremiah 22:24

Ezekiel 16:46; 47:3

Daniel 12:7

Zechariah 3:1-2; 12:6

בִּֽימִינ֖וֹ בִּֽימִינ֞וֹ בִּֽימִינֶֽךָ׃ בִּֽימִינָ֑הּ בִּֽימִינוֹ֙ בִּימִ֥ין בִּימִינ֖וֹ בִּימִינְךָ֣ בִּימִינִֽי׃ בִֽימִינ֗וֹ בימין בימינה בימינו בימיני׃ בימינך בימינך׃ הַיָּמִ֑ין הַיָּמִ֔ין הַיָּמִ֖ין הַיָּמִֽין׃ הַיָּמִין֙ הימין הימין׃ וְ֭יָמִין וִֽ֝ימִינָ֗ם וִֽימִינ֖וֹ וִֽימִינְךָ֥ וִֽימִינִ֖י וִֽימִינֶ֑ךָ וִֽימִינָ֖הּ וִימִינ֖וֹ וימין וימינה וימינו וימיני וימינך וימינם יְ֝מִֽינְךָ יְ֝מִינ֗וֹ יְמִ֣ין יְמִ֣ינְךָ֔ יְמִ֥ין יְמִֽינְךָ֑ יְמִֽינְךָ֙ יְמִֽינְךָ֣ יְמִֽינְךָ֥ יְמִינ֑וֹ יְמִינ֖וֹ יְמִינ֛וֹ יְמִינ֜וֹ יְמִינ֣וֹ יְמִינ֤וֹ יְמִינְךָ֖ יְמִינִ֑י יְמִינִֽי׃ יְמִינֶ֑ךָ יְמִינֶֽךָ׃ יְמִינָ֔ם יְמִינֽוֹ׃ יְמִינוֹ֙ יָ֝מִ֗ין יָמִ֑ין יָמִ֖ין יָמִ֣ין יָמִ֥ין יָמִ֧ין יָמִ֨ין ׀ יָמִין֙ יָמִין֮ ימין ימינו ימינו׃ ימיני ימיני׃ ימינך ימינך׃ ימינם לִֽ֝ימִינְךָ֗ לִֽימִינ֔וֹ לִֽימִינִ֑י לִֽימִינֽוֹ׃ לִימִ֣ין לַיָּמִין֙ לימין לימינו לימינו׃ לימיני לימינך מִֽ֝ימִינִ֗י מִֽימִינ֕וֹ מִֽימִינֵ֔ךְ מִֽימִינָ֖ם מִיָּמִ֔ין מִיָּמִ֖ין מִיָּמִ֜ין מִיָּמִ֗ין מִימִ֣ין מִימִ֥ין מִימִינ֖וֹ מִימִינֶ֑ךָ מימין מימינו מימיני מימינך מימינם bî·mî·nāh bî·mî·ne·ḵā bî·mî·nə·ḵā bî·mî·nî bî·mî·nōw ḇî·mî·nōw bî·mîn biMin bîmîn bimiNah bîmînāh bimineCha bîmîneḵā bîmînəḵā bimiNi bîmînî bimiNo bîmînōw ḇîmînōw haiyaMin hay·yā·mîn hayyāmîn laiyaMin lay·yā·mîn layyāmîn lî·mî·nə·ḵā lî·mî·nî lî·mî·nōw lî·mîn liMin lîmîn liminecha lîmînəḵā limiNi lîmînî limino lîmînōw mî·mî·nām mî·mî·ne·ḵā mî·mî·nêḵ mî·mî·nî mî·mî·nōw mî·mîn mî·yā·mîn miMin mîmîn mimiNam mîmînām mimiNech mimiNecha mîmînêḵ mîmîneḵā mimiNi mîmînî mimiNo mîmînōw miyaMin mîyāmîn Veyamin vimiNah vimiNam vimineCha vimiNi vimiNo wə·yā·mîn wəyāmîn wî·mî·nāh wî·mî·nām wî·mî·ne·ḵā wî·mî·nə·ḵā wî·mî·nî wî·mî·nōw wîmînāh wîmînām wîmîneḵā wîmînəḵā wîmînî wîmînōw yā·mîn yaMin yāmîn yə·mî·nām yə·mî·ne·ḵā yə·mî·nə·ḵā yə·mî·nî yə·mî·nōw yə·mîn yeMin yəmîn yemiNam yəmînām yemineCha yəmîneḵā yəmînəḵā yemiNi yəmînî yemiNo yəmînōwInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts