εὐώνυμος
euṓnymos
G2176 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Having a good name or of good repute; by extension, used idiomatically as an epithet for the 'left' side, especially in spatial orientation. In ancient Greek custom and superstition, the left was sometimes regarded as auspicious, hence 'well-named' or 'of good omen.' In later and Biblical usage, it refers more neutrally to 'the left-hand side' or 'left,' often in contrast to 'right' (δεξιός) in both literal and figurative senses.
Semantic Range
well-named, of good reputation, auspicious; (as euphemism) the left side, the left hand, the left (in contrast to the right); the word may occasionally mean 'prominent' or 'honorable' in older Greek
Root / Etymology
εὖ ('well') + ὄνομα ('name'), literally 'well-named'; a euphemism or transferred meaning where the 'left side' is given a positive designation. Related to the belief that one should not speak directly of the left (which was sometimes considered inauspicious), so a 'good name' was used instead. No Semitic cognate; the usage is native to Greek.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In pre-Christian Greek culture, especially among the Greeks, the left side was considered to be of good omen in certain ritual or religious contexts (contrasting with Roman custom, where the left was often negative). Thus, εὐώνυμος developed as a euphemism for 'left' in order to avoid direct reference to what could be considered unlucky. In classical and Hellenistic Greek, the word could carry either auspicious or neutral connotations, depending on the context. By the time of the Septuagint and New Testament, it is used mainly to mean 'left (side or hand),” often in standard spatial pairings (opposite δεξιός, 'right') as in Matthew 6:3 and LXX Genesis 13:9. In most English translations, the specific cultural nuance is lost, and it is simply rendered 'left.' Greek δεξιός is its standard antonym. The semantic valence of good fortune (the positive omen) is rarely, if ever, retained in Hellenistic-Judean or Christian contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from εὖ and ὄνομα; properly, well-named (good-omened), i.e. the left (which was the lucky side among the pagan Greeks); neuter as adverbial, at the left hand:--(on the) left.
Root Family
εὐώνυμος (euōnymos) — well-named, of good repute, left side, left hand
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2176-01 |
εὐωνύμων | euonumon | ADJ.S GEN N PL |
left | of the left sides | 10 |
Occurrences in Scripture
10 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2176-01 |
Matthew 20:21 | εὐωνύμων | euonumon | ADJ.S GEN N PL |
of the left sides | |
G2176-01 |
Matthew 20:23 | εὐωνύμων | euonumon | ADJ.S GEN N PL |
of the left sides | |
G2176-01 |
Matthew 25:33 | εὐωνύμων | euonumon | ADJ.S GEN N PL |
of the left sides | |
G2176-01 |
Matthew 25:41 | εὐωνύμων | euonumon | ADJ.S GEN N PL |
of the left sides | |
G2176-01 |
Matthew 27:38 | εὐωνύμων | euonumon | ADJ.S GEN N PL |
of the left sides | |
G2176-01 |
Mark 10:37 | εὐωνύμων | euonumon | ADJ.S GEN N PL |
left | of the left sides |
G2176-01 |
Mark 10:40 | εὐωνύμων | euonumon | ADJ.S GEN N PL |
left | of the left sides |
G2176-01 |
Mark 15:27 | εὐωνύμων | euonumon | ADJ.S GEN N PL |
left | of the left sides |
G2176-01 |
Acts 21:3 | εὐώνυμον | euonumon | ADJ.S ACC F SG |
on the left | of the left sides |
G2176-01 |
Revelation 10:2 | εὐώνυμον | euonumon | ADJ.S ACC M SG |
of the left sides |