English · KJV
H3233

יְמָנִי

yᵉmânîy /yem-aw-nee'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom יָמַן
Meaningright (i.e. at the right hand)
KJV usage(on the) right (hand).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of yᵉmânîy — 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 yᵉmânîy, represented by H3233, denotes that which is right or on the right hand. It appears 33 times across 19 unique verses in the Bible. While it serves as a literal directional marker, its usage primarily falls within contexts of sacred architecture and ceremonial law, designating a place of honor, strength, and divine action.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H3233 is frequently used to specify locations and actions within the Tabernacle and Temple. Architecturally, it defines the position of key structures, such as the right pillar named Jachin 1 Kings 7:21 and the placement of the great sea on the right side of the house 1 Kings 7:39. Ritually, it is central to the consecration of priests and the cleansing of individuals. In these ceremonies, blood H1818 and oil H8081 are applied to the right ear, the thumb of the right hand, and the great toe of the right foot, signifying complete dedication to God (Exodus 29:20; Leviticus 14:14).

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the concept of direction, position, and ritual function:

  • H3225 yâmîyn (the right hand or side): The foundational noun from which H3233 is derived, signifying the right hand or side as the place of strength and dexterity. It is often used to describe God's power to uphold his people Isaiah 41:10.
  • H8042 sᵉmâʼlîy (left): The direct counterpart to yᵉmânîy, meaning situated on the left side. It is often used in parallel with "right" to establish symmetry and totality, as in the placement of the two temple pillars 1 Kings 7:21.
  • H3548 kôhên (priest): As the one who officiates sacred rituals, the priest is the figure who carries out the commands involving the right side, such as sprinkling with the right finger Leviticus 14:16 or ministering in the temple space defined by right and left Joel 2:17.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H3233 is tied to its consistent application in holy contexts.

  • Consecration and Cleansing: The word is integral to rites of purification. The application of blood H1818 and oil H8081 to the right ear H241, thumb H931, and foot H7272 of a priest H3548 or a person being cleansed H2891 symbolizes that their hearing, their works, and their walk are set apart for the LORD H3068 Leviticus 8:23.
  • A Place of Honor and Stability: In the architecture of God's house H1004, the right side is given prominence. The pillar H5982 Jachin H3199, meaning "he will establish," was placed on the right, signifying divine establishment and strength 2 Chronicles 3:17.
  • The Source of Divine Blessing: In Ezekiel's vision of the new temple, life-giving waters H4325 are seen flowing from the right side of the house H1004, starting from the altar H4196. This imagery connects the right side with the very source of God's restorative and life-giving power Ezekiel 47:1.

Summary

In summary, H3233 is far more than a simple directional term. It consistently points to a position of holiness, honor, and divine significance. Whether defining the structure of the temple, the procedures for consecration, or the origin of divine blessing, yᵉmânîy orients the reader toward the side of strength, favor, and sacred action in relationship with God.

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 an adjective across 30 occurrences, inflected in 3 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.

  • יְמָנִית
  • יְמָנִית
  • יְמָנִי

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.

H1818 דָּם from דָּמַם (compare אָדַם); blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of H8081 שֶׁמֶן from שָׁמַן; grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness; anointing, [idiom] f H3225 יָמִין from יָמַן; the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, H8042 שְׂמָאלִי from שְׂמֹאול; situated on the left side; left. H3548 כֹּהֵן active participle of כָּהַן; literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman H241 אֹזֶן from אָזַן; broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man); [phrase] advertise, audience, [phrase] displease,

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 19 verses across 6 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Leviticus (8 verses); never once in the other 33.

1
Exodus
8
Leviticus
3
1 Kings
1
2 Kings
3
2 Chronicles
3
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.