"of good name or omen; used also as an euphemism by the Greeks instead of ἀριστερός, which was a word of bad import, as all omens on the left denoted misfortune; the left, Mt. 20:21, 23; 25:33, 41"
Definition and meaning
of good name or omen; used also as an euphemism by the Greeks instead of ἀριστερός, which was a word of bad import, as all omens on the left denoted misfortune; the left, Mt. 20:21, 23; 25:33, 41
In the original Greek the word is written: εὐώνυμος
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 euonymos (G2176) across the King James Bible.
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.
And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.
But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.
And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.
Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.
And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,
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Common questions
Strong's G2176 (euonymos) is a Greek word that means: of good name or omen; used also as an euphemism by the Greeks instead of ἀριστερός, which was a word of bad import, as all omens on the left denoted misfortune; the left, Mt. 20:21, 23; 25:33, 41 It appears 10 times in the King James Bible.
The word euonymos (G2176) appears 10 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2176 is euonymos, a Greek word defined as: of good name or omen; used also as an euphemism by the Greeks instead of ἀριστερός, which was a word of bad import, as all omens on the left denoted m. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
euonymos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.