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Predominantly a poetic term,
also occurs idiomatically (“to do what is right”) in
the historical books; cf. 1 Kings 15:5: “Because David did that which was right in the
eyes of the Lord, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days
of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.”
The basic meaning is the root meaning “to be straight” in the sense of “to be level.”
The legs of the creatures in Ezekiel’s vision were straight (Ezek. 1:7). The Israelites
designated an easy road for traveling as a “level road.” It had few inclines and declines
compared to the mountain roads (cf. Jer. 31:9: “They shall come with weeping, and with
supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of water in a
straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is
my firstborn”).
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with the meaning “right” pertains to things and to abstracts. Samuel promised
himself to instruct God’s people in “the good and the right way” (1 Sam. 12:23).
Nehemiah thanked God for having given just ordinances: “Thou camest down also upon
mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and
true laws, good statutes and commandments” (Neh. 9:13). Based on His revelation God
expected His people to please Him in being obedient to Him: “And thou shalt do that
which is right and good in the sight of the Lord: that it may be well with thee, and that
thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers”
(Deut. 6:18).
When
pertains to people, it is best translated “just” or “upright.” God is the
standard of uprightness for His people: “Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he
teach sinners in the way” (Ps. 25:8). His word (Ps. 33:4), judgments (Ps. 19:9), and ways
(Hos. 14:9) reveal His uprightness and are a blessing to His people. The believer follows
Him in being “upright” in heart: “Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous; and
shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart” (Ps. 32:11; cf. 7:10; 11:2). In their daily
walk they manifest that they are walking on the narrow road: “The wicked have drawn
out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such
as be of upright conversation” (Ps. 37:14). The “just” are promised God’s blessing upon
their lives (Prov. 11:10-11).
Finally,
is also the abstract “rightness,” especially when the Hebrew word has
the definite article (
, “the right”): “Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house
of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity
[all that is right]” (Mic. 3:9).
The Septuagint translations are:
(“pleasing”);
(“upright; just;
righteous”);
$
(“upright”); and
$
$
(“straight”).
B. Verb.
(
, 3474), “to be straight, be smooth, be right.” This verb, which occurs
rarely has many derivatives in the Bible.
In Akkadian the verb
$
signifies “to be straight, bring in order,” and the noun
$
denotes justice and an upright way of life. The Hebrew word has many related
words in other Semitic languages (Phoenician, Ugaritic) and even in Egyptian.