Ark of the Covenant - Bible History Online
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LEFT

left (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)" (Gen 13:9). Frequently in Hebrew idiom the right hand and the left are mentioned together in order to express the idea "everywhere," "anywhere," "altogether" (Gen 24:49; Ex 14:22,29; Nu 22:26; Dt 2:27; 5:32; 2 Cor 6:7). In the geographical sense the left is synonymous with north (Gen 14:15; Josh 19:27; Ezek 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 (Ezek 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).
H. L. E. Luering
Bibliography Information
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Definition for 'left'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". bible-history.com - ISBE; 1915.

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