English · KJV
H3231

יָמַן

yâman /yaw-man'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto be (physically) right (i.e. firm); but used only as denominative from יָמִין and transitive,; to be right-handed or take the right-hand side
KJV usagego (turn) to (on, use) the right hand.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of yâman — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word yâman, represented by H3231, is a primitive root used as a verb meaning to be right-handed or take the right-hand side. It appears 4 times in 4 unique verses in the Bible. Its usage is transitive, describing the action to "go" or "turn" to the right hand.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, H3231 often appears in the context of making a choice or indicating a direction. When Abram and Lot separate, Abram offers Lot a choice, saying, "if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right" Genesis 13:9. The term is also used to describe a unique physical skill, as with the ambidextrous warriors of Benjamin who could "use both the right hand and the left" to wield their weapons 1 Chronicles 12:2. It can also be used figuratively to mean deviating from a path, as when the woman of Tekoa tells King David that no one can "turn to the right hand or to the left" from his spoken words 2 Samuel 14:19.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the concept of direction and handedness:

  • H3225 yâmîyn (the right hand or side): This noun, from which H3231 is derived, refers to the right hand itself, often associated with strength and dexterity. God promises to uphold His people "with the right hand of my righteousness" Isaiah 41:10.
  • H8041 sâmaʼl (go, turn on the, to the left): This verb is the direct counterpart to H3231 and is used in contrast to it in every instance where H3231 appears, such as in the choice presented by Abram to Lot Genesis 13:9.

Theological Significance

The significance of H3231 is found in its application to decisive action and unwavering adherence.

  • Choosing a Path: The word is central to moments of decision, where a literal direction signifies a major life change, as in the separation of Abram and Lot Genesis 13:9.
  • Exceptional Skill: Its use in 1 Chronicles 12:2 highlights the value of ambidexterity in warfare, where being able to "use the right hand" was the norm, and using both was extraordinary.
  • Inescapable Truth: Figuratively, the inability to "turn to the right hand" represents the direct and unswerving nature of a king's command or a truthful statement, from which there can be no deviation 2 Samuel 14:19.

Summary

In summary, H3231 yâman is a specific verb of action, denoting the act of turning or choosing the right-hand side. While it appears only a few times, it effectively illustrates concepts of literal direction, specialized skill, and figurative adherence to a path or a word. Its consistent pairing with its opposite emphasizes the theme of choice and polarity.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 5 occurrences, inflected in 5 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • הֵימִנִי
  • אֵימִנָה
  • תַאֲמִינוּ
  • הֵמִין
  • מַיְמִינִים

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H3225 יָמִין from יָמַן; the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, H8041 שָׂמַאל a primitive root (denominative from שְׂמֹאול); to use the left hand or pass in that direction); (go, turn) (on the, to t

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 4 verses across 4 of the 39 books. 4 books tie for most frequent (1 verse each); never once in the other 35.

1
Genesis
1
2 Samuel
1
1 Chronicles
1
Ezekiel

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.