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יְמִינִי

𐤉𐤌𐤉𐤍𐤉

yᵉmîynîy

H3227 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ימן right side, right hand, south

Definition

An adjective and gentilic noun describing one who is 'of the right (hand/side),' or 'belonging to the south (as the right hand when facing east).' Most commonly refers to an inhabitant or descendant of Benjamin (the tribe 'son of the right hand'), i.e., a Benjaminite. In adjectival use, indicates 'right-handed' or 'pertaining to the right side.'

Semantic Range

Benjamite (descendant or inhabitant of the tribe of Benjamin); one belonging to the right (hand/side); right-handed (in rare adjectival usage)

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root ימן (y-m-n), meaning 'right (hand), south.' The form יְמִינִי is an adjectival gentilic, literally 'one belonging to the right,' which by tradition also identifies a member of the tribe of Benjamin (from בֶּן־יָמִין). The gentilic ending -ִי indicates association or origin.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, יְמִינִי typically designates a member of the tribe of Benjamin (Genesis 49:27; Judges 3:15; 1 Samuel 9:1), reflecting the etymological association of Benjamin with 'son of the right (hand).' In some contexts it may function adjectivally to describe someone as 'right-handed.' Usage of יְמִינִי as a tribal or gentilicial identifier is especially prominent in historical and genealogical passages in the Former Prophets and Chronicles. English translations often render this as 'Benjamite' or 'Benjaminite,' obscuring the literal meaning of the term. In post-exilic and later periods, the word continues as an ethnic and regional identifier, but the meaning remains attached to the tribe of Benjamin rather than to a general geographical 'right/south.' The identification of this term with later identities, such as 'Jew,' is anachronistic and should be avoided, as its biblical usage is narrowly tribal or sometimes directional.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

for יָמִין; right; (on the) right (hand).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ימן (y-m-n) — right side, right hand, south

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3117 יוֹם the right side
H3225 יָמִין in right hand
H3226 יָמִין to Yamin
H3228 יְמִינִי the Jaminite
H3231 יָמַן Turn to the right

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3227-02 יְמִינִ֑י yemini HNgmsa Benjamin right-side man 4
H3227-01 ה/ימיני hymyny HTd/Aamsa of the right right-side man 2

Occurrences in Scripture

6 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3227-02 1 Samuel 9:1 יְמִינִ֑י yemini HNgmsa Benjamite right-side man
H3227-02 1 Samuel 9:4 יְמִינִ֖י yemini HNgmsa of Benjamin right-side man
H3227-02 1 Samuel 22:7 יְמִינִ֑י yemini HNgmsa Benjamin right-side man
H3227-01 Ezekiel 4:6 ה/ימיני hymyny HTd/Aamsa the right right-side man
H3227-02 1 Chronicles 27:12 יְמִינִ֑י yemini HNgmsa Jemini right-side man
H3227-01 2 Chronicles 3:17 ה/ימיני hymyny HTd/Aamsa of the right right-side man
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