What does יָדַע · יָמִין · שְׂמֹאול mean in the Bible?
יָדַע · יָמִין · שְׂמֹאול is a Hebrew phrase meaning "moral or practical ignorance; lack of discernment".
Hebrew · H3045, H3225, H8040
לֹא־יָדַע בֵּין־יְמִינוֹ לִשְׂמֹאלוֹ
To know (properly, to ascertain by seeing ); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation , care , recognition ; and causatively, instruction , designation , punishment , etc.) · the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south · properly, dark (as enveloped ), i.e. the north ; hence (by orientation), the left hand
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
יָדַעH3045to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing ); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation , care , recognition ; and causatively, instruction , designation , punishment , etc.)
Pronunciationyada
Knowledge grounded in direct perception or experience; extends to intimate relationship, care, and moral recognition.
Open lexicon entry →יָמִיןH3225the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
Pronunciationyāmîn
Right hand embodies strength, dexterity, and favor; directionally orients toward the south in spatial orientation
Open lexicon entry →שְׂמֹאולH8040properly, dark (as enveloped ), i.e. the north ; hence (by orientation), the left hand
What does לֹא־יָדַע בֵּין־יְמִינוֹ לִשְׂמֹאלוֹ (lo-yada bein-yemino lismolo) mean in the Bible?
יָדַע · יָמִין · שְׂמֹאול is a Hebrew phrase meaning "moral or practical ignorance; lack of discernment".
Full entry for לֹא־יָדַע בֵּין־יְמִינוֹ לִשְׂמֹאלוֹ (H3045, H3225, H8040) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H3045, H3225, H8040?
H3045, H3225, H8040 is connected to 1,148 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. moral or practical ignorance; lack of discernment
Source Gloss
moral or practical ignorance; lack of discernment
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups8Aligned forms557
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense493×
Perfect1Kgs 17:24 · 1Sam 17:28 · 1Sam 17:55 · 1Sam 20:30 · 1Sam 22:22 · 1Sam 24:21 · 1Sam 25:11 · 1Sam 29:9 · 2Chr 2:7 · 2Chr 25:16 · 2Kgs 2:3 · 2Kgs 2:5 · 2Kgs 4:9 · 2Kgs 5:15 · 2Kgs 8:12 · 2Kgs 19:27291×
Imperfect1Kgs 2:37 · 1Kgs 2:42 · 1Kgs 8:39 · 1Sam 28:1 · 1Sam 28:2 · 2Chr 6:30 · Deut 20:20 · Eccl 11:2 · Eccl 11:5 · Exod 7:17 · Exod 8:6 · Exod 8:18 · Exod 9:14 · Exod 9:29 · Exod 10:7 · Ezek 38:1494×
Participle active1Chr 12:33 · 1Kgs 5:20 · 1Kgs 9:27 · 1Sam 16:16 · 1Sam 16:18 · 1Sam 23:17 · 1Sam 26:12 · 2Chr 2:7 · 2Chr 2:11 · 2Chr 2:12 · 2Chr 2:13 · 2Chr 8:18 · 2Kgs 17:26 · 2Sam 12:22 · 2Sam 17:10 · Amos 5:1666×
Sequential imperfect1Chr 28:9 · 1Sam 20:7 · 1Sam 24:12 · 2Sam 24:13 · Gen 20:7 · Jer 15:15 · Job 5:27 · 1Kgs 20:7 · 2Kgs 5:7 · 2Kgs 10:10 · Jer 31:34 · Job 19:6 · Judg 18:14 · Ps 100:3 · 1Sam 25:17 · Jer 2:2317×
Infinitive absolute1Kgs 2:37 · 1Kgs 2:42 · 1Sam 20:3 · 1Sam 20:9 · 1Sam 28:1 · Gen 15:13 · Jer 26:15 · Jer 42:19 · Jer 42:22 · Josh 23:13 · Prov 27:2311×
Jussive1Sam 20:3 · 1Sam 21:3 · Jer 36:19 · Jer 38:24 · Josh 22:22 · Isa 6:9 · Prov 27:237×
Infinitive construct1Kgs 8:60 · Ezek 38:16 · Jer 9:5 · Josh 4:24 · Mic 6:55×
CohortativeJob 23:5 · Ps 39:52×
Niphalpassive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action29×
Perfect1Sam 22:6 · 2Sam 17:19 · Deut 21:1 · Exod 2:14 · Exod 21:36 · Gen 41:21 · Judg 16:9 · Nah 3:17 · Neh 4:9 · Ps 9:17 · Ps 48:4 · Exod 6:3 · Ezek 20:9 · Ps 77:2014×
ImperfectExod 33:16 · Ezek 36:32 · Gen 41:31 · Jer 28:9 · Prov 10:9 · Prov 12:16 · Ps 74:5 · Zech 14:7 · Prov 14:339×
Jussive1Kgs 18:36 · Ps 79:10 · Ruth 3:14 · Ruth 3:34×
Participle activeProv 31:23 · Ps 76:22×
Hiphilcausative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action26×
Perfect1Kgs 1:27 · Job 26:3 · Neh 9:14 · Ps 77:15 · Ezek 20:11 · Hos 5:9 · Ezek 22:26 · Neh 8:12 · Ps 98:29×
Sequential imperfectEzek 16:2 · Ezek 43:11 · Prov 9:9 · Ps 90:12 · 1Chr 16:8 · Isa 12:4 · Ps 105:17×
ImperfectEzek 39:7 · Ps 89:2 · Isa 38:19 · Ps 103:7 · Job 32:75×
CohortativeIsa 5:5 · Prov 1:232×
Infinitive constructGen 41:391×
JussiveHab 3:21×
Participle activeIsa 47:131×
Pualintensive passive — intensive action received by the subject2×
Participle passiveIsa 12:5 · Ruth 2:12×
Pielintensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action2×
PerfectJob 38:122×
Hophalcausative passive — the subject is caused to perform the action3×
PerfectLev 4:23 · Lev 4:282×
Participle passiveIsa 12:51×
Poel1×
Perfect1Sam 21:31×
Hithpaelreflexive or reciprocal — the subject acts on itself or mutually with others1×
ImperfectNum 12:61×
Word Origins
לֹא־יָדַע בֵּין־יְמִינוֹ לִשְׂמֹאלוֹ is a primitive root - no further derivation.