Idiom meaning of "right hand of"
Example.
Right hand of GOD.
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4What research have you done to find an answer? I'm quite sure there are a lot of sources out there, considering that your example is on wikipedia with exact wording.– VilmarJul 25, 2014 at 8:18
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Have you any specific doubt about its meaning?– user66974Jul 25, 2014 at 8:26
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Vince, please please edit your question and let us know where you've looked for an answer, and what you've found.– Matt GuttingJul 25, 2014 at 15:50
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2 Answers
This is not an English idiom, but a literal translation of a Biblical Hebrew expression.
Yamin means, primarily, the right hand in its aspect as the instrument of power and dexterity; the "right hand of God" might be better translated as the "strong arm of God". Attributive use of the word in construct case (= 'of the right hand') to designate direction is secondary: it signifies both right-hand and South—apparently the Hebrews oriented themselves literally, toward the rising sun in the East.
The Biblical use has led to an independent English idiom: "right hand" or "right-hand man" designates an assistant whom a leader particularly relies on to effect his policies.
answered Jul 25, 2014 at 12:11
The right hand of God, has symbolic meanings of omnipotence and justice:
(dextera Domini "right hand of the Lord" in Latin) or God's right hand may refer to the hand of God often referred to in the Bible and common speech as a metaphor for the omnipotence of God and as a motif in art. The Archangel Michael is also often referred to as "the Right Hand of God".
It is also a placement next to God in Heaven, in the traditional place of honour, mentioned in the New Testament as the place of Christ at Mark 16:19, Luke 22:69, Matthew 22:44 and 26:64, Acts 2:34 and 7:5 1 Peter 3:22 and elsewhere.
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