As in most cultures, so in biblical society the right handedness is most common and percieved not only as 'normal,' but also, in some cases, as the favoured side. While references to the right hand are plentiful (more than 100x), references to the left hand are exceptionally rare: the only certain case reported is Ehud, who was left-handed (Judg 3:12). Judg 20:16 also refers to the presence of 700 "left-handed" warriors in the war against the Benjamites. Here, however, they are actually 'itter yad yamin, literally "bound in the right hand,' suggesting that these men were not left-handed as such but that they habitually bind their right hand forcing them to fight with the left hand in order to optimise their fighting competence. The expression, therefore, marks them out as men of exceptional fighting skills. The left-hand is mentioned again in 1 Chron 12:2, but here it is used together with the right hand as a reference to ambidexterity. In particular there is not even a single reference to Yahweh's left hand.
In both the Old and the New Testament, the right hand denotes the position of favour and honour. Thus Judah placed his right hand on Ephraim's head though he was the younger when he blessed Joseph's two sons (Gen 48:13-18). In this way he marked Ephraim out to be the favoured son in history. To sit at the right hand of Yahweh is to be accorded the highest honour (Psm 110:1). Hence was the rsurrected Jesus glorified by being and seated "at the right hand of God" (Mk 16:19; Acts 5:17; 7:55; Rom 8:34; Eph 1:15, etc). To have Yahweh at one right hand is to be assured of victory (Psm 16:8; 18:35; 110:5).
The right hand is also the symbol of power. Yahweh sustains and saves by his right hand (Psm 17:7; 18:35; 20:6; 60:5). Again and again it is said that Israel is saved by Yahweh's right hand (Exo 15:6, 12; Psm 20:6; 89:13).
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