Berean Strong's Lexicon euónumos: Left, left-hand Original Word: εὐώνυμος Word Origin: From εὖ (eu, meaning "good" or "well") and ὄνομα (onoma, meaning "name") Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "euónumos," the concept of "left" can be found in Hebrew with the word "שְׂמֹאל" (s'mol), Strong's Hebrew #8040. Usage: The Greek word "εὐώνυμος" is primarily used to denote the "left" or "left-hand" side. In ancient Greek culture, the left side was often considered less favorable than the right, which was associated with strength and honor. However, the term "euónumos" itself carries a more neutral or even positive connotation due to its etymology, suggesting a "well-named" or "fortunate" aspect, possibly to avoid the negative superstitions associated with the left side. Cultural and Historical Background: In the ancient world, including Greek and Jewish cultures, the right side was typically associated with power, authority, and blessing, while the left side was often seen as weaker or less favorable. This cultural bias is reflected in various texts and practices. However, the use of "euónumos" in the Greek language, with its positive etymological roots, may have been an attempt to counteract these negative associations. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom eu and onoma Definition of good name, euph. for left NASB Translation left (9). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2176: εὐώνυμοςεὐώνυμος, εὐώνυμον (εὖ and ὄνομα); 1. of good name (Hesiod, Pindar), and of good omen (Plato, polit., p. 302 d.; legg. 6, p. 754 e.); in the latter sense used in taking auguries; but those omens were euphemistically called εὐώνυμα which in fact were regarded as unlucky, i. e. which came from the left, sinister omens (for which a good name was desired); hence, 2. left (so from Aeschylus and Herodotus down): Acts 21:3; Revelation 10:2; ἐξ εὐωνύμων (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 27, 3; § 19 under the word δεξιά; Buttmann, 89 (78)), on the left hand (to the left): Matthew 20:21, 23; Matthew 25:33, 41; Matthew 27:38; Mark 10:37 (R G L), From eu and onoma; 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. see GREEK eu see GREEK onoma Englishman's Concordance Matthew 20:21 Adj-GMPGRK: εἷς ἐξ εὐωνύμων σου ἐν NAS: on Your right and one on Your left. KJV: the other on the left, in thy INT: one on [the] left hand of you in Matthew 20:23 Adj-GMP Matthew 25:33 Adj-GMP Matthew 25:41 Adj-GMP Matthew 27:38 Adj-GMP Mark 10:40 Adj-GMP Mark 15:27 Adj-GMP Acts 21:3 Adj-AFS Revelation 10:2 Adj-AMS Strong's Greek 2176 |
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