Left-Handed People in the Bible
Is there a genetic link to Benjamite lefties?
There are only three mentions of left-handed people in the Bible—and all of them refer to members of the tribe of Benjamin, including their deadly accurate slingers (see drawing above). Were these people from the tribe of Benjamin left-handed by nature or nurture? Modern studies in the genetics of left-handedness may be able to shed light on this curious case. (Drawing by Josh Seevers, courtesy of Boyd Seevers)
The Hebrew Bible mentions left-handed people on three occasions: the story of Ehud’s assassination of the Moabite king (Judges 3:12–30), the 700 Benjamites who could use the sling with deadly accuracy (Judges 20:16) and the two-dozen ambidextrous warriors who came to support David in Hebron (1 Chronicles 12:2). All of these stories of left-handed people in the Bible appear in military contexts, and, curiously, all involve members of the tribe of Benjamin.
In a Biblical Views column in the May/June 2013 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review, professors Boyd Seevers and Joanna Klein ask the question, “Were these warriors from the tribe of Benjamin left-handed by nature or nurture?” Citing studies in the genetics of left-handedness and Biblical texts, Seevers and Klein show that it may have been a bit of both.
Benjamites may have been genetically disposed to left-handedness at birth, but the trait may also have been encouraged in soldiers to give them a strategic advantage in combat—somewhat like left-handed baseball pitchers today—against right-handed opponents who were unaccustomed to fighting “lefties.” Warriors from the tribe of Benjamin might have been trained to be equally or more effective with their left hands.
Then again, perhaps the Biblical writers simply enjoyed a bit of word play. The name Benjamin means “son of (my) right hand.” Perhaps the irony of left-handed “sons of right-handers” caused the Biblical authors to take note in these cases.
For more about the tribe of Benjamin, left-handedness in the Bible, and the genetics of left-handedness, see Boyd Seevers and Joanna Klein, Biblical Views: “Left-Handed Sons of Right-Handers” in the May/June 2013 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review.
Not a BAS Library or All-Access Member yet? Join today.
This Bible History Daily feature was originally published on May 31, 2013.
Related reading in Bible History Daily
The Tel Dan Inscription: The First Historical Evidence of King David from the Bible
All-Access members, read more in the BAS Library
Ancient Israel’s Neighbors—The Transjordanian Kingdoms of Ammon, Moab, and Edom
Not a BAS Library or All-Access Member yet? Join today.
Related Posts
Must-Read Free eBooks
Want more Bible history?
Sign up to receive our email newsletter and never miss an update.
Unlock Unlimited Access to the Bible's Past
Unlock Unlimited Access to the Bible's Past
Become an All-Access Member to explore the Bible's rich history. Get Biblical Archaeology Review in print, full online access, and FREE online talks. Plus, enjoy special Travel/Study discounts. Don't miss out—begin your journey today!
Angela from Nueva Vida Bookstore says
Left Handed and right handed swordsmen are symbols of strength or power. The power of the flesh is represented in both ways of handling a sword either right or left. The world power acts in both ways but the resulting consequences always are catastrophic because it relies solely in the fleshy nature of humankind. An
In all cases where left-handedness is mentioned, it appears that it was intentional that we are made aware that the person was indeed left-handed. For example, in the study of Judges 3, Ehud, it is mentioned more than once (15,21) and is really a take-away from the story. There has to be a reason this was stressed. Ehud could have been introduced simply as a Benjamite, son of Gera and the story told without ever mentioning that he was left-handed. When I studied Judges, the reasoning for this reference, and then again in chapter 20, intrigued me so I asked the Holy Spirit for answers. In God’s word, I believe nothing is wasted or it wouldn’t be there. So why this mention of left-handedness? None of what’s written here seems to satisfy. Athough I have seen reference to left-handedness being considered weakness in the Bible, I agree with a previous writer that really, the mentions of left-handedness for the most part seems to be an advantage or strength in battle at the very least. (Although I do see that the right hand is used in blessing and the place of favor in places in scripture as well over the left hand (Genesis 48:17-20) and (Matt 25 the sheep and goats) but this has nothing to do with being “left-handed” per se. So with this being said, I think the focus has to be on the trait of being left-handed. Often we try to make sense of scripture by taking a certain part and making something of it, instead of looking at the whole, as it was intended. In the whole counsel of the word of God, then, what can we glean from this trait of left-handedness and why the Holy Spirit would go to such an extent to make sure that we made note of it, especially in reference to fighting and battle? If left-handedness was indeed seen as weakness because more people were right-handed (statistics seem to be somewhere in the 80/20 range), it would seem God was trying to make a statement. However, this is not good enough for me because I do not see in the Holy Scriptures where God has made a point to tell us that left-handedness is a weakness. (If anyone can show me where, please do because I want truth over being right!) So what I have gathered is this. God knew what we would believe today even back then.. If it was not considered weakness back then, it has been challenged today as we see in the notes above and in other google references, especially in light of those who are trying to argue the gay/left-handed connection. Perhaps the whole point, in light of seeing scripture in its entirety, is that God can use whoever He wants to, to accomplish His work and sometimes it is the people that society (even Gods own people) have written off as useless or weak or unvalued: 1 Cor 1:26 “Look carefully at your call, brothers and sisters. By human standards, not many of you are deemed to be wise. Not many are considered powerful. Not many of you come from royalty, right? 27 But celebrate this: God selected the world’s foolish to bring shame upon those who think they are wise; likewise, He selected the world’s weak to bring disgrace upon those who think they are strong. 28 God selected the common and the castoff, whatever lacks status, so He could invalidate the claims of those who think those things are significant. 29 So it makes no sense for any person to boast in God’s presence. 30 Instead, credit God with your new situation: you are united with Jesus the Anointed. He is God’s wisdom for us and more. He is our righteousness and holiness and redemption. 31 As the Scripture says: “If someone wants to boast, he should boast in the Lord.”
Ok so I’m lefty and how did my ancestor trusts end up in CUBA??? I’m from CUBA raised in Miami and some of my families are lefty on my dad side and we are African decendient and spanish I always felt I was related to Abramham David and Daniel between of them 3.. I wondered for long time who is the Origen of left handlers??
Traits* sorry auto correct but question is how did I roots come from Africa to Spain to Cuba?we all have a common ancestor is it David??
As a lefty and a former fencer I can vouch that righties who haven’t practiced against lefties are at a definite disadvantage. Most combat is “muscle memory” and their normal reactions are wrong. They tend to hesitate as they attempt to mentally adjust.
i think the reason left handed people are brought to attention is there are so few which puts them at an advantage in battle,first the can use the right hand to grab the right hand in defense while immobilizing the left with the sword.if my thinking is clear.
I am Benjamin. I am left handed. Never the less I do not do any Sports or Combat as a left handed person. I have always handled a gun or played golf etc… as right handed people do. This was a interesting post though!
i am a lefty. went to catholic school-with nuns-in second grade when learning how to print my name she would always hit me with a ruler trying to make me use my right hand…that did not work…or tie my left hand behind my back…that did not work…my mother had a talk with the bishop and she stoped. my grand mother my mom’s mom was also left handed and two boy coz. non of my children are left handed or non of my grand children. I always wished that one of them would be…but I can do a lot of things with both hands and they can’t…
Maybe by mentioning that Ehud was left-handed indicates that God can use someone who was different; someone unconventional; someone like Gideon who was a part of a remnant to do God’s will. Ehud, being from the tribe of Benjamin was someone who was left-handed living in a right-handed world. God is unconventional and He doesn’t do everything the same way every time. He used a little boy to kill a giant; two fish and five loaves to feed thousands; and a left-handed man living in a right-handed world to kill an evil king and free God people to live in peace.
I think Joab was a relative of David, if you are familiar with the scripture. They didn’t want to destroy the entire tribe however, after the loss they went back and did just that destroyed them. It starts out something like the scripture regarding Sodom and Gomorrah. ie… left handed/