Bible Dictionary
LEFT
Left refers to the left hand or side, often contrasted with the right. In biblical geographical orientation, the left side commonly corresponds to the north when facing east.
Definition
Left refers to the left hand or side, ordinarily contrasted with the right. In Hebrew geographical orientation, the left commonly corresponds to the north when a person is facing east.
Biblical Usage
The Bible uses left and right together to express choice, direction, or the idea of everywhere and altogether. The left hand could hold the bow, and the left side was regarded as weaker and less honored than the right.
Historical Background
Hebrew and Greek expressions for left include terms meaning to turn or go left, the left hand, and what belongs on the left. The left was associated with less favorable omens in the cultural background described.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>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)" (Ge 13:9). Frequently in Hebrew idiom the right hand and the left are mentioned together in order to express the idea "everywhere," "anywhere," "altogether" (Ge 24:49; Ex 14:22,29; Nu 22:26; De 2:27; 5:32; 2Co 6:7). In the geographical sense the left is synonymous with north (Ge 14:15; Jos 19:27; Eze 16:46; Ac 21:3). While the left hand is considered as weaker than the right (see LEFTHANDED), it is the hand which holds the bow (Eze 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).</p><p>H. L. E. Luering</p>