"right, as opposed to left, Mt. 5:29, 30; Lk. 6:6; ἡ δεξιά, i.e. χείρ, the right hand, Mt. 6:3; 27:29; τὰ δεξιά, i.e. μέρη, the parts towards the right hand, the right hand side; καθίζειν, or, καθῆσθαι, or, ἑστάναι, ἐκ δεξιῶν [μερῶν] τινος, to sit or stand at the right hand of any..."
Definition and meaning
right, as opposed to left, Mt. 5:29, 30; Lk. 6:6; ἡ δεξιά, i.e. χείρ, the right hand, Mt. 6:3; 27:29; τὰ δεξιά, i.e. μέρη, the parts towards the right hand, the right hand side; καθίζειν, or, καθῆσθαι, or, ἑστάναι, ἐκ δεξιῶν [μερῶν] τινος, to sit or stand at the right hand of any one, as a mark of the highest honor and dignity which he can bestow, Mt. 20:20; 26:64; εἶνι ἐκ δεξιῶν [μερῶν] τινος, to be at one’s right hand, as a helper, Acts 2:25; δεξιὰς (χεῖρας) διδόναι, to give the right hand to any one, as a pledge of sincerity in one’s promises, Gal. 2:9
In the original Greek the word is written: δεξιός
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of dexios (G1188) across the King James Bible.
And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
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Common questions
Strong's G1188 (dexios) is a Greek word that means: right, as opposed to left, Mt. 5:29, 30; Lk. 6:6; ἡ δεξιά, i.e. χείρ, the right hand, Mt. 6:3; 27:29; τὰ δεξιά, i.e. μέρη, the parts towards the right hand, the right hand side; καθίζειν, or, καθῆσθαι... It appears 53 times in the King James Bible.
The word dexios (G1188) appears 53 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1188 is dexios, a Greek word defined as: right, as opposed to left, Mt. 5:29, 30; Lk. 6:6; ἡ δεξιά, i.e. χείρ, the right hand, Mt. 6:3; 27:29; τὰ δεξιά, i.e. μέρη, the parts towards the right. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
dexios is a Greek word found in the New Testament.