אָמַן
to take the right hand road
Definition
The verb אָמַן (ʼâman) means 'to take the right hand road' or 'to turn to the right.' It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 30:21, where it describes a voice of guidance saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when one might turn either to the right or to the left. The word carries a strong directional sense, implying a deliberate choice of the correct or proper path. It is a denominative verb derived from the noun for 'right hand' (יָמִין, yāmîn, H3225), emphasizing the cultural and symbolic importance of the right side as the place of favor, strength, and correctness.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only in Isaiah 30:21. Its context is a prophetic promise of God's future guidance to His people. The usage is metaphorical, describing moral and spiritual direction rather than mere physical navigation. The singular occurrence in a prophetic book highlights its role in conveying a message of divine instruction and the assurance of being led on the right path.
Etymology
אָמַן is a denominative verb derived from the noun יָמִין (yāmîn, H3225), meaning 'right hand' or 'south' (as one faces east). This derivation directly links the action to the symbolic and literal significance of the right side in ancient Semitic thought, which was associated with skill, power, and favor. The verb form essentially means 'to go to the right' or 'to treat as the right hand.'
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word is theologically significant as it encapsulates the theme of divine guidance. In Isaiah 30:21, it assures believers that God provides clear moral and spiritual direction, preventing them from straying. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading by connecting the concept of 'the way' to the cultural symbolism of the right hand as the side of blessing and covenant faithfulness, deepening the metaphor of walking in God's will.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, the right hand was universally symbolic of strength, honor, and preferential treatment (e.g., the right hand of blessing). To 'turn to the right' would imply choosing the correct, favored, or most advantageous path. This cultural understanding is essential for grasping the full weight of the guidance promised in Isaiah 30:21, where the right path is synonymous with the way of God's instruction.
יָמִין (yāmîn, H3225) — The noun 'right hand,' source of the verb's meaning. נָטָה (nāṭâ, H5186) — 'to stretch out, incline, bend'; a more general term for turning or extending. פָּנָה (pānâ, H6437) — 'to turn, face'; a common verb for changing direction.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →