Does the Bible say anything about being left-handed?

what does the bible say?

Although the Bible doesn’t affirm the tradition of reproaching the left-h and side as evil While in Exodus 15:6 and Psalm 118:16 God’s right h and is noted as being incredibly strong and powerful, no negativity is associated with His left hand. Interestingly, Scripture highlights specific men who were left handed or ambidextrous who had proved themselves to be bold or skilled warriors (Judges 3:15-21; 20:16; 1 Chronicles 12:1-2). The cultural view of the left h and was likely used by Jesus in Matthew 25:33 to further His point, but should be understood as a metaphor, not condemning the left hand. Lastly, while the right h and is often described as especially honorable throughout Scripture, Matthew 20:21 suggests that the left side of a king is still a distinguished place of honor.

from the old testament

• Although Isaac used his left h and to give a lesser blessing to Joseph’s older son, Manasseh, he still blessed him with it (Genesis 48:14, 19).
• Exodus 15:6 identified God’s right h and with “glorious power” and with the ability to “shatter the enemy.”
• Left-handed warriors were singled out for their skill in battle (Judges 3:15-21; 20:16).
• 1 Chronicles 12:1-2 distinguishes “mighty men” who could shoot arrows and sling stones with the right or left hand.
• In Psalm 118:16, David says that the Lord’s right h and “exalts” and “does valiantly.”

from the new testament

• Although the right h and was often associated with power, strength, and honor, Matthew 20:21 reveals that being seated at the left side of the king was still a coveted position of authority and power.
• Jesus used ancient beliefs about the left h and metaphorically when He told of sheep being separated to the right and goats to the left (Matthew 25:33).

implications for today

The right h and or right side of a person has great honor in the Bible. Psalm 110:1 prophesied that David’s Lord would sit at the right h and of God. In Matthew 26:64 and Mark 14:62, Jesus identified Himself with the prophecy; and in Acts 7:56, Stephen saw it come true. Exodus 15:6 and Psalm 118:16 identify the right h and with strength and Galatians 2:9 with fellowship. But why? Ninety percent of people around the world are right-handed, which means the vast majority have a stronger right arm than left. It’s natural, then, for the right h and to be historically identified with strength, especially because it usually carried the sword in battles. Additionally, ancient Western civilizations not only valued the right h and more than the left but associated the left h and with evil, darkness, and, strangely, women. This unreasoned bias was picked up by the Catholic Church, and even today, some cults insist left-handed people are naturally satanic. But modern remnants of left-handed bigotry today are based on ancient superstition rather than biblical teaching. The only “evil” associated with being left-handed is getting your palm smudged when you write and never being able to find good scissors.

Recap

understand

• Historically, the right h and has been honored and the left h and villified.
• Biblically, no basis exists for demonizing the left hand.
• The Bible includes passages that imply esteem for right-handed as well as left-handed people.

reflect

• In what ways have you seen cultural assumptions influence how you view others, even when those views aren’t biblical?
• How does knowing that God used left-handed individuals as mighty warriors challenge the way you think about personal limitations or differences?
• What steps can you take to root out lingering superstitions or biases that conflict with God’s truth?

engage

• How does the Bible’s treatment of left-handed individuals help us rethink how we view those who don’t fit cultural norms?
• What dangers arise when the church allows superstition or tradition to shape its view of people instead of Scripture?
• How can we as believers create a culture that celebrates God-given diversity while standing firmly on biblical truth?