יָשָׁר

From the study of Exodus 15:26

Range of meaning

yāšār: straight, level, even; hence upright, right, proper. 'In the eyes of X' means 'in X's judgment'.

Against the English

'Right in his eyes/sight' is accurate. The point to notice is whose eyes: the standard is Yahweh's judgment.

Used elsewhere in the period

Deut 6:18; 12:25, 28; 13:18; 21:9 and the books of Kings (judging each king by whether he 'did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh'). Judges 17:6; 21:25 gives the opposite: 'each did what was right in his own eyes.'

From the study of Proverbs 2:7

Range of meaning

Straight, level, smooth (of a road); right, just, honest (of people and their actions). Used of what is 'right in the eyes' of someone (Judg 17:6).

Against the English

'Upright' (most versions) is accurate but loses the road picture. KJV's 'righteous' blurs it with tsaddîq, a different Hebrew word.

Used elsewhere in the period

Often paired with tōm/tām: Job 1:1 'blameless (tām) and upright (yāšār)'; Ps 25:21 'let integrity (tōm) and uprightness (yōšer) preserve me'. In Proverbs 2 itself, the wicked 'leave the paths of straightness' (v. 13) for 'crooked' ones (v. 15).

From the study of Proverbs 28:10

Range of meaning

Straight, level, right. Of roads and paths: straight and level. Of people: honest, upright, doing what is right.

Against the English

'Upright' (BSB, WEB, YLT) is accurate. KJV 'righteous' is a looser word and hides the road image.

Used elsewhere in the period

Proverbs 3:6 and 11:5 (God makes paths 'straight'); 2:7; 14:9; 15:8. BDB s.v. ישׁר.