Does the Bible say anything about being left-handed?

Quick answer

The Bible never condemns left-handedness—in fact, some left-handed individuals were praised as mighty warriors. While the right hand is often symbolic of strength or honor, Scripture offers no support for the cultural superstition that being left-handed is wrong.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Although the Bible doesn't affirm the tradition of reproaching the left-hand side as evil While in Exodus 15:6 and Psalm 118:16 God’s right hand 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 hand 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 hand 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

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The right hand 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 hand 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 hand 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 hand to be historically identified with strength, especially because it usually carried the sword in battles. Additionally, ancient Western civilizations not only valued the right hand more than the left but associated the left hand 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.

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