King James Bible Dictionary

RIGHT, adjective rite. [Latin rectus, from the root of rego, properly to strain or stretch, whence straight.]

Properly; strained; stretched to straightness; hence,

1. Straight. A right line in geometry is the shortest line that can be drawn or imagined between two points. A right line may be horizontal, perpendicular, or inclined to the plane of the horizon.

2. In morals and religion, just; equitable; accordant to the standard of truth and justice or the will of God. That alone is right in the sight of God, which is consonant to his will or law; this being the only perfect standard of truth and justice. In social and political affairs, that is right which is consonant to the laws and customs of a country, provided these laws and customs are not repugnant to the laws of God. A man's intentions may be right though his actions may be wrong in consequence of a defect in judgment.

3. Fit; suitable; proper; becoming. In things indifferent, or which are regulated by no positive law, that is right which is best suited to the character, occasion or purpose, or which is fitted to produce some good effect. It is right for a rich man to dress himself and his family in expensive clothing, which it would not be right for a poor man to purchase. It is right for every man to choose his own time for eating or exercise.

RIGHT is a relative term; what may be right for one end, may be wrong for another.

4. Lawful; as the right heir of an estate.

5. True; not erroneous or wrong; according to fact.

If there be no prospect beyond the grave, the inference is certainly right 'let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.'

6. Correct; passing a true judgment; not mistaken or wrong.

You are right justice, and you weigh this well.

7. Not left; most convenient or dextrous; as the right hand, which is generally most strong or most convenient in use.

8. Most favorable or convenient.

The lady has been disappointed on the right side.

9. Properly placed, disposed or adjusted; orderly; well regulated.

10. Well performed, as an art or act.

11. Most direct; as the right way from London to Oxford.

12. Being on the same side as the right hand; as the right side.

13. Being on the right hand of a person whose face is towards the mouth of a river; as the right bank of the Hudson.

RIGHT, adverb

1. In a right or straight line; directly.

Let thine eyes look right on. Proverbs 4:11.

2. According to the law or will of God, or to the standard of truth and justice; as, to judge right

3. According to any rule of art.

You with strict discipline instructed right

4. According to fact or truth; as, to tell a story right

5. In a great degree; very; as right humble; right noble; right valiant. [Obsolescent or inelegant.]

6. It is prefixed to titles; as in right honorable; right reverend.

RIGHT, is used elliptically for it is right what you say is right it is true, etc.

RIGHT, cries his lordship.

On the right on the side with the right hand.

RIGHT, noun

1. Conformity to the will of God, or to his law, the perfect standard of truth and justice. In the literal sense, right is a straight line of conduct, and wrong a crooked one. right therefore is rectitude or straightness, and perfect rectitude is found only in an infinite Being and his will.

2. Conformity to human laws, or to other human standard of truth, propriety or justice. When laws are definite, right and wrong are easily ascertained and understood. In arts, there are some principles and rules which determine what is right In many things indifferent, or left without positive law, we are to judge what is right by fitness or propriety, by custom, civility or other circumstances.

3. Justice; that which is due or proper; as, to do right to every man.

Long love to her has borne the faithful knight, and well deserv'd had fortune done him right

4. Freedom from error; conformity with truth or fact.

Seldom your opinions err, your eyes are always in the right

5. Just claim; legal title; ownership; the legal power of exclusive possession and enjoyment. In hereditary monarchies, a right to the throne vests in the heir on the decease of the king. A deed vests the right of possession in the purchaser of land. right and possession are very different things. We often have occasion to demand and sue for rights not in possession.

6. Just claim by courtesy, customs, or the principles of civility and decorum. Every man has a right to civil treatment. The magistrate has a right to respect.

7. Just claim by sovereignty; prerogative. God, as the author of all things, has a right to govern and dispose of them at his pleasure.

8. That which justly belongs to one.

Born free, he sought his right

9. Property; interest.

A subject in his prince may claim a right

10. Just claim; immunity; privilege. All men have a right to the secure enjoyment of life, personal safety, liberty and property. We deem the right of trial by jury invaluable, particularly in the case of crimes. Rights are natural, civil, political, religious, personal, and public.

11. Authority; legal power. We have no right to disturb others in the enjoyment of their religious opinions.

12. In the United States, a tract of land; or a share or proportion of property, as in a mine or manufactory.

13. The side opposite to the left; as on the right Look to the right

1. To rights, in a direct line; straight. [Unusual.]

2. Directly; soon.

To set to rights,

To put to rights, to put into good order; to adjust; to regulate what is out of order.

Bill of rights, a list of rights; a paper containing a declaration of rights, or the declaration itself.

Writ of right a writ which lies to recover lands in fee simple, unjustly withheld from the true owner.

RIGHT, verb transitive

1. To do justice to; to relieve from wrong; as, to right an injured person.

2. In seamen's language, to right a ship, is to restore her to an upright position from a careen.

To right the helm, to place it in the middle of the ship.

RIGHT, verb intransitive To rise with the masts erect, as a ship.

RIGHTED, participle passive Relieved from injustice; set upright.

RIGHTEN, verb transitive To do justice to. obsolete

The righteous compared with:

The sun
Judges 5:31; Matthew 13:43

Stars
Daniel 12:3

Lights
Matthew 5:14; Philippians 2:15

Mount Zion
Psalms 125:1-2

Lebanon
Hosea 14:5-7

Treasure
Exodus 19:5; Psalms 135:4

Jewels
Malachi 3:17

Gold
Job 23:10; Lamentations 4:2

Vessels of gold and silver
2 Timothy 2:20

Stones of a crown
Zech 9:16

Lively stones
1 Peter 2:5

Babes
Matthew 11:25; 1 Peter 2:2

Little children
Matthew 18:3; 1 Corinthians 14:20

Obedient children
1 Peter 1:14

Members of the body
1 Corinthians 12:20; 1 Corinthians 12:27

Soldiers
2 Timothy 2:3-4

Runners in a race
1 Corinthians 9:24; Hebrews 12:1

Wrestlers
2 Timothy 2:5

Good servants
Matthew 25:21

Strangers and pilgrims
1 Peter 2:11

Sheep
Psalms 78:52; Matthew 25:33; Matthew 43:10

Lambs
Isaiah 40:11; John 21:15

Calves of the stall
Malachi 4:2

Lions
Proverbs 28:1; Micah 5:8

Eagles
Psalms 103:5; Isaiah 40:31

Doves
Psalms 68:13; Isaiah 60:8

Thirsting deer
Psalms 42:1

Good fishes
Matthew 13:48

Dew and showers
Micah 5:7

Watered gardens
Isaiah 58:11

Unfailing springs
Isaiah 58:11

Vines
Song of Solomon 6:11; Hosea 14:7

Branches of a vine
John 15:2; John 15:4-5

Pomegranates
Song of Solomon 4:13

Good figs
Jeremiah 24:2-7

Lilies
Song of Solomon 2:2; Hosea 14:5

Willows by the water courses
Isaiah 44:4

Trees planted by rivers
Psalms 1:3

Cedars in Lebanon
Psalms 92:12

Palm trees
Psalms 92:12

Green olive trees
Psalms 52:8; Hosea 14:6

Fruitful trees
Psalms 1:3; Jeremiah 17:8

Corn
Hosea 14:7

Wheat
Matthew 3:12; Matthew 13:29-30

Salt
Matthew 5:13

Access of the righteous to God
Psalms 31:19-20; Isaiah 12:6

Few are righteous
Matthew 7:14; Matthew 22:14

Relation of the righteous to God
Leviticus 20:24-26

Righteous and wicked, circumstances of, contrasted:

General references
Leviticus 18:8; Psalms 17:14-15
Wicked, Described; Wicked, Contrasted with the Righteous

The righteous at the judgment
Judgment, The

Fellowship of the righteous
Fellowship

Hatred toward the righteous
Persecution

Joy of the righteous
Joy

Perseverance of the righteous
Perseverance

The righteous contrasted with the wicked
Wicked, Described; Wicked, Contrasted with the Righteous

The righteous described:

General references
Exodus 33:16; 1 Samuel 13:14; Ezra 10:3; Psalms 1:1-3; Psalms 4:3; Psalms 15:1-5; Psalms 24:3-5; Psalms 37:26; Psalms 37:30-31; Psalms 64:10; Psalms 84:7; Psalms 87:5-6; Psalms 112:1-10; Psalms 119:1-3; Proverbs 2:9-12; Proverbs 4:18; Proverbs 13:5; Proverbs 25:26; Isaiah 33:15-16; Isaiah 51:1; Isaiah 54:13; Isaiah 60:21; Isaiah 62:12; Isaiah 63:8; Jeremiah 31:12-14; Jeremiah 31:33-34; Ezekiel 18:5-9; Ezekiel 44:9; Zech 3:2; Zech 3:7-8; Matthew 5:3-10; Matthew 5:13-16; Matthew 7:16-20; Matthew 7:24-27; Matthew 12:50; Matthew 13:23; Matthew 13:38; Luke 6:45; Luke 18:16-17; Matthew 19:14; Mark 10:14-15; John 3:21; John 8:31-32; John 8:39; John 8:42; John 8:47; John 10:4-5; John 10:27; John 13:35; John 15:14; Acts 2:38; Acts 2:47; Acts 8:36-37; Acts 10:47; Acts 11:23-24; Acts 18:7-8; Romans 1:6-7; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:5-6; Romans 8:9; Romans 8:14-16; Romans 8:29; Romans 8:35-39; Romans 9:8; Romans 15:14; Romans 16:19; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Corinthians 2:12-13; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:48-49; 2 Corinthians 1:12; 2 Corinthians 4:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 5:22-26; Ephesians 1:1; Ephesians 1:4-7; Ephesians 2:1; Ephesians 2:5-6; Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 2:13-14; Ephesians 2:19-22; Ephesians 3:17-19; Ephesians 4:13-16; Ephesians 4:22-32; Ephesians 5:8; Philippians 2:15; Philippians 3:3; Philippians 3:7-11; Philippians 4:8; Colossians 1:9-13; Colossians 2:7; Colossians 3:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5; 1 Thessalonians 5:27; 2 Timothy 2:19; 2 Timothy 2:21-25; Philippians 1:5-6; Hebrews 3:1; Hebrews 3:6; 1 Peter 2:5; 1 Peter 2:9-10; 1 Peter 4:1-2; 2 Peter 1:1; 1 John 2:3; 1 John 2:5-6; 1 John 2:12-15; 1 John 3:2-3; 1 John 3:6-7; 1 John 3:9; 1 John 3:14; 1 John 3:18-19; 1 John 4:7; 1 John 5:1; 2 John 1:9; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 14:4-5; Revelation 17:14
Wicked, Described

Promises to, expressed or implied, to the righteous:

General references
Genesis 15:1; Genesis 22:17; Exodus 23:22; Leviticus 26:5-6; Leviticus 26:10; Deuteronomy 28:1-13; Deuteronomy 33:27; 1 Samuel 2:9; 2 Chronicles 16:9; Ezra 8:22; Job 5:11-27; Job 8:4-7; Job 8:20-21; Job 11:15-20; Job 22:21-30; Job 36:7-12; Psalms 4:3; Psalms 5:12; Psalms 15:2-5; Psalms 23:6; Psalms 25:10-14; Psalms 28:8; Psalms 29:11; Psalms 32:6-8; Psalms 32:10; Psalms 33:18-19; Psalms 34:9-10; Psalms 34:15; Psalms 34:17; Psalms 37:3-5; Psalms 37:9; Psalms 37:18; Psalms 37:23-29; Psalms 37:34; Psalms 41:1-2; Psalms 50:15; Psalms 55:22; Psalms 58:11; Psalms 62:8; Psalms 65:4; Psalms 73:24; Psalms 81:10; Psalms 84:11; Psalms 85:9; Psalms 91:1; Psalms 91:3-12; Psalms 94:17-18; Psalms 97:10-11; Psalms 111:5; Psalms 112:6; Psalms 121:3-8; Psalms 125:1-3; Psalms 128:1-6; Psalms 145:18-21; Proverbs 1:33; Proverbs 2:21; Proverbs 3:1-10; Proverbs 3:25-26; Proverbs 10:3; Proverbs 12:2; Proverbs 14:26; Proverbs 15:29; Proverbs 16:7; Proverbs 21:21; Proverbs 28:25; Proverbs 29:25; Ecclesiastes 7:18; Ecclesiastes 8:5; Isaiah 4:5-6; Isaiah 11:6-9; Isaiah 25:8; Isaiah 26:3; Isaiah 33:16; Isaiah 33:21-22; Isaiah 33:24; Isaiah 35:10; Isaiah 40:10-11; Isaiah 40:29; Isaiah 40:31; Isaiah 41:10-11; Isaiah 41:13; Isaiah 43:2; Isaiah 44:2-3; Isaiah 49:9-12; Isaiah 50:7-9; Isaiah 51:11; Isaiah 54:1-17; Isaiah 56:2-8; Isaiah 57:1-2; Isaiah 58:8-14; Isaiah 59:20-21; Isaiah 64:4; Isaiah 65:13-14; Isaiah 65:17-25; Isaiah 66:13-14; Jeremiah 17:7-8; Ezekiel 18:5-9; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Ezekiel 34:11-17; Ezekiel 34:22-31; Daniel 12:1-3; Hosea 6:3; Nahum 1:7; Haggai 1:13; Haggai 2:4-5; Zech 3:7; Malachi 3:16-18; Malachi 4:2-3; Matthew 5:3-12; Matthew 7:7-8; Luke 11:9-10; Matthew 8:11; Matthew 10:28-32; Matthew 13:43; Matthew 18:10; Matthew 18:19-20; Matthew 24:21-22; Matthew 25:21; Luke 19:16-21; Matthew 25:33-34; Matthew 25:46; Matthew 28:20; Mark 3:35; Mark 8:35; Mark 9:41; Mark 10:21; Mark 10:29-30; Matthew 19:29; Mark 11:23-24; Mark 13:13; Mark 13:27; Luke 3:17; Matthew 3:12; Luke 6:20-23; Luke 10:20; Luke 12:7; Luke 12:32; Luke 16:22-25; Luke 18:29-30; Luke 20:35-36; Luke 21:18; Luke 21:27-28; Luke 22:29-30; Luke 23:43; John 3:15-18; John 3:36; John 4:14; John 5:24; John 5:29; John 6:39-40; John 8:12; John 8:51; John 9:31; John 10:27-29; John 12:25-26; John 13:36; John 14:1-3; John 14:12-21; John 14:23; John 16:33; John 17:2; John 17:22; John 17:24; Acts 10:4; Acts 10:31; Acts 20:32; Acts 26:18; Romans 2:7; Romans 2:10; Romans 5:9-11; Romans 5:17; Romans 6:22-23; Romans 8:14-18; Romans 8:28; Romans 8:32-39; Romans 9:33; Romans 10:9; Romans 10:11-13; Romans 13:11; 1 Corinthians 1:8-9; 1 Corinthians 2:9; 1 Corinthians 3:21-23; 1 Corinthians 6:2-3; 1 Corinthians 8:3; 1 Corinthians 13:10-12; 1 Corinthians 15:48-57; 2 Corinthians 1:20-22; 2 Corinthians 4:14-15; 2 Corinthians 4:17; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Galatians 3:29; Galatians 6:8-9; Ephesians 1:18; Ephesians 2:7; Ephesians 6:8; Philippians 4:7; Philippians 4:19; Colossians 1:5; Colossians 1:12; Colossians 3:4; Colossians 3:24; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-7; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 1 Timothy 1:16; 1 Timothy 4:8; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 2:10-12; 2 Timothy 2:19; 2 Timothy 4:8; Titus 2:11-14; Titus 3:7; Hebrews 1:14; Hebrews 2:10; Hebrews 2:15; Hebrews 4:9; Hebrews 4:15-16; Hebrews 6:10; Hebrews 6:16-20; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 9:28; Hebrews 10:34-36; Hebrews 11:16; Hebrews 12:22-23; Hebrews 12:28; Hebrews 13:5-6; James 1:5; James 1:12; James 1:25; James 2:5; James 4:8; 1 Peter 1:2-5; 1 Peter 2:5-6; 1 Peter 2:9-10; 1 Peter 3:9-12; 1 Peter 4:13; 1 Peter 5:4; 1 Peter 5:6-7; 1 Peter 5:10; 2 Peter 1:4; 2 Peter 1:10-11; 2 Peter 2:9; 1 John 1:7; 1 John 1:9; 1 John 2:17; 1 John 2:25; 1 John 2:28; 1 John 3:2; 1 John 3:22; 1 John 5:13; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 2:7; Revelation 2:10-11; Revelation 2:17; Revelation 2:26-28; Revelation 3:4-5; Revelation 3:10; Revelation 3:12; Revelation 3:21; Revelation 7:3-4; Revelation 7:9-17; Revelation 11:12; Revelation 11:18; Revelation 14:1-5; Revelation 14:13; Revelation 16:15; Revelation 20:4-6; Revelation 21:3-7; Revelation 21:24; Revelation 22:4-5; Revelation 22:7; Revelation 22:12; Revelation 22:14
Adoption; Afflictions, Consolation in; God, Preserver; God, Providence of

Unity of the righteous with Christ:

General references
John 6:51-57; John 14:20; John 15:1-11; John 15:19; John 17:21-23; John 17:26; Romans 8:1; Romans 8:10; Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 6:13-20; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; 1 Corinthians 12:27; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 2 Corinthians 11:2; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 5:30; Ephesians 5:32; Colossians 1:27; Colossians 2:6-7; 1 Peter 4:13; 1 John 2:6; 1 John 2:24; 1 John 2:28; 1 John 3:6; 1 John 3:24; 1 John 4:13; 1 John 5:12; 1 John 5:20; 2 John 1:9; Revelation 19:7-9; Revelation 21:9
Adoption; Communion; Fellowship

RIGHTEOUS, adjective ri'chus.

1. Just; accordant to the divine law. Applied to persons, it denotes one who is holy in heart, and observant of the divine commands in practice; as a righteous man. Applied to things, it denotes consonant to the divine will or to justice; as a righteous act. It is used chiefly in theology, and applied to God, to his testimonies and to his saints.

The righteous in Scripture, denote the servants of God, the saints.

2. Just; equitable; merited.

And I thy righteous doom will bless.

RIGHTEOUSLY, adverb ri'chusly. Justly; in accordance with the laws of justice; equitably; as a criminal righteously condemned.

Thou shalt judge the people righteously Psalms 67:4.

See JUSTIFICATION.

By faith
Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3; Romans 4:5; Romans 4:9; Romans 4:11; Romans 4:13; Romans 4:20; Romans 4:22; Romans 4:24

Garment of
Job 29:14; Matthew 22:11-14

Imputed on account of obedience
Deuteronomy 6:25; Job 33:26

Fruits of
Deuteronomy 6:25; Joshua 22:31; Psalms 1:3; Psalms 15:1-5; Psalms 24:3-5; Psalms 101:3-4; Psalms 106:3; Psalms 112:4-8; Proverbs 2:5-20; Proverbs 10:2; Proverbs 11:5-6; Proverbs 11:18-19; Proverbs 11:30; Proverbs 12:28; Proverbs 10:16; Proverbs 13:6; Proverbs 14:34; Proverbs 21:3; Proverbs 29:7; Isaiah 28:17; Isaiah 32:16-18; Isaiah 33:15-17; Isaiah 55:12-13; Isaiah 58:6-14; Isaiah 62:1; Ezekiel 18:5-9; Ezekiel 33:15; Daniel 12:3; Hosea 10:12; Malachi 3:3; Malachi 4:2; Matthew 5:20; Matthew 12:35; Mark 3:33-35; Matthew 12:50; Luke 3:10-14; Luke 8:15; John 3:21; John 3:33; John 8:47; John 8:49; John 13:35; John 14:21-24; John 15:4-5; John 15:8; John 15:12; Acts 9:36; Acts 11:29-30; Acts 19:19; Romans 5:1-5; Romans 6:19-22; Romans 7:4-6; Romans 8:4-6; Romans 14:17-19; Romans 15:1-7; 1 Corinthians 4:19-20; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Corinthians 7:10-11; 2 Corinthians 9:10; 2 Corinthians 10:5; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 4:6; Galatians 5:22-23; Galatians 6:7-8; Ephesians 1:13-14; Ephesians 5:9; Philippians 1:11; Philippians 1:27-29; Philippians 2:13; Philippians 3:12-14; Philippians 4:11-13; Colossians 1:12-13; Colossians 3:3; Colossians 3:5; Colossians 3:9-17; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-5; 1 Timothy 2:9-10; 1 Timothy 5:9-10; 2 Timothy 2:22; 2 Timothy 4:6-8; Titus 2:2; Titus 2:11-12; Titus 3:14; Philippians 1:5-6; James 1:27; James 2:14-26; James 3:11-18; 1 Peter 3:1-11; 1 Peter 3:14; 1 Peter 4:2; 2 Peter 1:5-9; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 2:10-11; 1 John 2:24; 1 John 2:29; 1 John 3:3; 1 John 3:6-7; 1 John 3:9-11; 1 John 3:14; 1 John 3:17-24; 1 John 4:4-21; 1 John 5:1-5; 1 John 5:10; 1 John 5:13; 1 John 5:18; 2 John 1:9; 3 John 1:11; Revelation 2:2-3; Revelation 2:19

Symbolized
Ezekiel 47:12; Revelation 22:2
Sin, Fruits of; Works, Good

RIGHTEOUSNESS, noun ri'chusness.

1. Purity of heart and rectitude of life; conformity of heart and life to the divine law. righteousness as used in Scripture and theology, in which it is chiefly used, is nearly equivalent to holiness, comprehending holy principles and affections of heart, and conformity of life to the divine law. It includes all we call justice, honesty and virtue, with holy affections; in short, it is true religion.

2. Applied to God, the perfection or holiness of his nature; exact rectitude; faithfulness.

3. The active and passive obedience of Christ, by which the law of God is fulfilled. Daniel 9:7.

4. Justice; equity between man and man. Luke 1:75.

5. The cause of our justification.

The Lord our righteousness Jeremiah 23:6.

RIGHTER, noun One who sets right; one who does justice or redresses wrong.

RIGHTFUL, adjective

1. Having the right or just claim according to established laws; as the rightful heir to a throne or an estate.

2. Being by right, or by just claim; as a rightful lord; rightful property; rightful judge.

3. Just; consonant to justice; as a rightful cause; a rightful war.

RIGHTFULLY, adverb According to right, law or justice; as a title rightfully vested.

RIGHTFULNESS, noun

1. Justice; accordance with the rules of right; as the rightfulness of a claim to lands or tenements.

2. Moral rectitude.

But still although we fail of perfect rightfulness [Not usual.]

RIGHT-HAND, noun The hand opposite to the left, usually the strongest, most convenient or dextrous hand, and hence its name in other languages, as well as in our.

RIGHTING, participle passive Doing justice; to; setting upright.

RIGHTLY, adverb

1. According to justice; according to the divine will or moral rectitude; as duty rightly performed.

2. Properly; fitly; suitably; as a person rightly named.

3. According to truth or fact; not erroneously. He has rightly conjectured.

4. Honestly; uprightly.

5. Exactly.

Thou didst not rightly see.

6. Straightly; directly. [Not in use.]

RIGHTNESS, noun

1. Correctness; conformity to truth or to the divine will, which is the standard of moral rectitude. It is important that a man should have such persuasion of the rightness of his conscience as to exclude rational doubt.

2. Straightness; as the rightness of a line.