יֹשֶׁר
𐤉𐤔𐤓
yôsher
H3476 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Uprightness, straightness, or integrity—referring to the quality of moral rectitude, honesty, or fairness in conduct and judgment. The word denotes both literal and metaphorical straightness, most often used to describe ethical or just behavior, decisions, or paths.
Semantic Range
uprightness, integrity, honesty, equity, moral rectitude, fairness, straightness
Root / Etymology
From the root יָשַׁר, meaning 'to be straight, level, upright.' The noun יֹשֶׁר derives from this root and refers to the condition or quality of being straight or upright, extending from literal physical straightness to moral integrity.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, יֹשֶׁר is less common than the related adjective יָשָׁר (yāshār, 'upright') or the noun מֵישָׁרִים (mêshārîm, 'uprightness'). יֹשֶׁר appears in poetic and wisdom contexts (e.g., Proverbs, Ecclesiastes), often as an attribute of a person, of judgment, or of a way/path. The term is used to highlight moral or ethical excellence and is sometimes set in contrast with crookedness (עָקֵשׁ, ‘āqēsh’). In later literature and liturgy, it continues to denote integrity or ethical correctness. Although English translations may render it as 'right,' 'uprightness,' or 'integrity,' the term carries nuanced ethical implications beyond the narrow legal or formal sense. The concept is central in wisdom literature, where 'straight' or 'upright' conduct aligns with the ideal order of creation and divine expectation. English renderings such as 'equity' or 'uprightness' capture some, but not all, of the nuance, as the Hebrew word encompasses both internal integrity and outward fairness.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from יָשַׁר; the right; equity, meet, right, upright(-ness).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ישר (y-š-r) — to be straight, to be upright, to be right, to be level
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3474 | יָשַׁר | I will make straight |
| H3475 | יֵשֶׁר | Uprightness |
| H3477 | יָשָׁר | the upright one |
| H3480 | יְשַׂרְאֵלָה | God is Upright |
| H3483 | יִשְׁרָה | and in uprightness of |
Word Forms
7 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3476-07 |
יֹ֑שֶׁר | yosher | HNcmsa |
uprightness | uprightness | 6 |
H3476-02 |
בְּ/יֹ֣שֶׁר | beyosher | HR/Ncmsc |
in-integrity | in uprightness | 2 |
H3476-04 |
וּ/בְ/יֹ֨שֶׁר֙ | uveyosher | HC/R/Ncmsc |
and uprightness | and in uprightness | 2 |
H3476-03 |
מִ֝/יֹּ֗שֶׁר | miyosher | HR/Ncmsa |
what is right | from uprightness | 1 |
H3476-05 |
וָ/יֹ֥שֶׁר | vayosher | HC/Ncmsa |
and uprightness | and uprightness | 1 |
H3476-01 |
בְּ֭/יָשְׁר/וֹ | beyashero | HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms |
in his uprightness | in his uprightness | 1 |
H3476-06 |
יָשְׁרֽ/וֹ | yashero | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
his uprightness | his uprightness | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
14 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3476-04 |
Deuteronomy 9:5 | וּ/בְ/יֹ֨שֶׁר֙ | uveyosher | HC/R/Ncmsc |
or for uprightness | and in uprightness |
H3476-04 |
1 Kings 9:4 | וּ/בְ/יֹ֔שֶׁר | uveyosher | HC/R/Ncmsa |
and uprightness | and in uprightness |
H3476-05 |
Psalms 25:21 | וָ/יֹ֥שֶׁר | vayosher | HC/Ncmsa |
and uprightness | and uprightness |
H3476-02 |
Psalms 119:7 | בְּ/יֹ֣שֶׁר | beyosher | HR/Ncmsc |
with uprightness | in uprightness |
H3476-07 |
Proverbs 2:13 | יֹ֑שֶׁר | yosher | HNcmsa |
of uprightness | uprightness |
H3476-07 |
Proverbs 4:11 | יֹֽשֶׁר | yosher | HNcmsa |
uprightness | uprightness |
H3476-03 |
Proverbs 11:24 | מִ֝/יֹּ֗שֶׁר | miyosher | HR/Ncmsa |
what is right | from uprightness |
H3476-01 |
Proverbs 14:2 | בְּ֭/יָשְׁר/וֹ | beyashero | HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms |
in his uprightness | in his uprightness |
H3476-07 |
Proverbs 17:26 | יֹֽשֶׁר | yosher | HNcmsa |
uprightness | uprightness |
H3476-07 |
Job 6:25 | יֹ֑שֶׁר | yosher | HNcmsa |
right | uprightness |