יָמַן
𐤉𐤌𐤍
yâman
H3231 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To turn or move to the right side, to use the right hand, or to take the right-hand direction; in some contexts, to act with the right hand as a symbol of favor, authority, or strength. The word typically appears in verb forms describing physical movement or directionality, as well as metaphorically for orientation or preference for the right side. Sometimes extends to indicate southern direction or alignment, since facing east would place south to one’s right.
Semantic Range
to turn right, to use or take the right hand, to go to the right side, to act with favor or authority (figurative), to indicate southern direction (in orientation), to be right-handed
Root / Etymology
The root is ימן. The core root meaning is 'right (side), right hand.' The verb is denominative from the noun יָמִין (yāmīn, 'right hand, right side') and refers specifically to actions or orientation toward the right as opposed to the left (שְׂמֹאל).
Historical & Contextual Notes
יָמַן is rare in biblical usage, primarily attested in a few poetic or formal narratives, often in parallel with terms for the left (e.g., סָמַל or שְׂמֹאל). The right hand or right side in ancient Israelite society was generally associated with strength, dexterity, and honor, explaining the figurative use of יָמִין and related roots. The term can also acquire a directional nuance: in orientation to the east (the natural Israelite frame of orientation), 'right' implies the south. By the post-monarchic period, the term for 'south' (תֵּימָן) emerges, also derived from the same root. English translations often render the verb in terms of physical movement (e.g., 'turn to the right'), but this can lose the symbolic resonance found in Hebrew usage. The antonymic relationship to left/south is important for understanding both ritual and narratological uses.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to be (physically) right (i.e. firm); but used only as denominative from יָמִין and transitive,; to be right-handed or take the right-hand side; go (turn) to (on, use) the right hand.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ימן (y-m-n) — right side, right hand, turn right, use the right hand
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3117 | יוֹם | the right side |
| H3225 | יָמִין | in right hand |
| H3226 | יָמִין | to Yamin |
| H3227 | יְמִינִי | right-side man |
| H3228 | יְמִינִי | the Jaminite |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3231-01 |
הֵימִ֖נִי | heymini | HVhv2fs |
right-hand | Turn to the right | 1 |
H3231-02 |
לְ/הֵמִ֣ין | lehemin | HR/Vhc |
to turn to the right | to direct to the right | 1 |
H3231-03 |
מַיְמִינִ֤ים | mayeminim | HVhrmpa |
right-handed | those causing to go right | 1 |
H3231-04 |
וְ/אֵימִ֔נָה | veeyminah | HC/Vhh1cs |
then I will go to the right | let me turn rightward | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3231-04 |
Genesis 13:9 | וְ/אֵימִ֔נָה | veeyminah | HC/Vhh1cs |
then I will go to the right | let me turn rightward |
H3231-02 |
2 Samuel 14:19 | לְ/הֵמִ֣ין | lehemin | HR/Vhc |
to turn to the right | to direct to the right |
H3231-01 |
Ezekiel 21:21 | הֵימִ֖נִי | heymini | HVhv2fs |
right-hand | Turn to the right |
H3231-03 |
1 Chronicles 12:2 | מַיְמִינִ֤ים | mayeminim | HVhrmpa |
right-handed | those causing to go right |