The word "right" has two meanings. One, a condition of the heart, morality or correctness. The other use of "right" is referring to the, usually, stronger of two sides of the body. This latter has expanded to mean one particular side, the right side, as opposed to the left side of anything.
Webster defines and relates the two meanings, one to the other. The first, the original, means "correctness", being right with God. The second, which derives from the first, refers to the, usually, stronger and more skillful side of the body.
"Right" was first used by God in Gen. 7:1 when He said to Noah, "... Thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation." The derivative of that word, "right", relating to the, usually, stronger of the two sides of the body, was first used later, in Gen.13:9, by Abraham in giving his nephew, Lot, the choice of turning to the right hand or to the left hand, and Abraham would go in the opposite direction of Lot. Lot chose the direction toward Sodom were his incestuous descendants settled on the eastern shores of the Dead Sea, thought to be to the left of where the decision was made.
Webster deals first with the "right/correctness" meaning of "right" and then with the "right/stronger side", directional meaning, in this definition ... "Right is straight, not crooked, upright,
righteous, conformed to justice, fit, real, not mistaken, correct, well in body, mind, and spirit, Mentally sane." Then he gives the other meaning of "right", still as an adjective and derived from the other, the original word.... "The stronger side of most people on which the muscular action is usually, not always, more skilled and stronger than the other side."
It is interesting that the right-hand side or direction (not in the "correctness" sense) is used about 300 percent more times than the "left-hand" side or direction. That doesn't include the word "right" as in being right with God or righteous. That particular usage is found many hundreds more times than both the words left and right put together.
So, as I said, I will try not to go to seed on the subject but will agitate the left-wingers with the Scriptural superiority of the right-wing over the left-wing, with these verses....
"A wise man's heart turns him toward his right hand, but a fool's heart toward his left."
Ecclesiastes 10:2 (Amplified Bible) Also in the other versions.
"And he (Jesus) shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left." Matt.25:33
"Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left." Matt.27:38. I am assuming the repentant thief was on the right side of Jesus.
"And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship...." Gal.2:9
"Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high." Heb.1:3
"The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches." Rev.1:20
So, since I have a choice of standing on the right or left of important national, social, and Biblical issues, I chose to be on the right side of all issues.
As I said earlier, I show these verses to agitate the left-wing Liberals. Actually there is only one "right" side of any issue, God's side, as revealed in His word.
And God's side is the righteous side. RB
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