Strong's Greek: 710. ἀριστερός (aristeros) -- Left, left hand, left side

Strong's Lexicon

aristeros: Left, left hand, left side

Original Word: ἀριστερός
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: aristeros
Pronunciation: ar-is-ter-os'
Phonetic Spelling: (ar-is-ter-os')
Definition: Left, left hand, left side
Meaning: on the left hand.

Word Origin: Derived from a comparative of the same as 712 (aristos), meaning "best" or "excellent."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent often used in similar contexts is יָמִין (yamin) for right and שְׂמֹאל (semol) for left, though the cultural connotations may vary slightly.

Usage: The Greek word "aristeros" is used in the New Testament to denote the left side or left hand. It is often used in contrast to "dexios," which means right or right hand. The term can be used literally to describe physical orientation or metaphorically to convey ideas of position or status.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient cultures, including Jewish and Greco-Roman societies, the right side was often associated with strength, honor, and favor, while the left side could be seen as weaker or less honorable. This cultural perspective is reflected in various biblical passages where the right hand symbolizes power and blessing. However, the left side is not inherently negative but simply denotes a different position or role.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
cptv. adjective akin to aristos (best)
Definition
better, euph. for left, on the left
NASB Translation
left (3), left hand (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 710: ἀριστερός

ἀριστερός, ἀριστερά, ἀριστερόν, left: Matthew 6:3; Luke 23:33; (Mark 10:37 T Tr WH, on the plural cf. Winer's Grammar, § 27, 3); ὅπλα ἀριστερά i. e. carried in the left hand, defensive weapons, 2 Corinthians 6:7. (From Homer down.)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

left hand.

Apparently a comparative of the same as ariston; the left hand (as second-best) -- left (hand).

see GREEK ariston

Forms and Transliterations

αριστερα αριστερά ἀριστερά αριστεράν αριστεράς αριστερόν αριστερων αριστερών ἀριστερῶν aristera aristerá aristeron aristerôn aristerōn aristerō̂n

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