Hand

Summary

The hand in Scripture represents power, authority, and action, with the laying on of hands serving as a significant ritual in consecration, ordination, blessing, healing, and the transfer of spiritual gifts.

☩In Consecration and Sacrifice

The imposition of hands was central to Old Testament worship. When offering burnt offerings, peace offerings, and sin offerings, the offerer laid hands on the animal's head, symbolically transferring sin or identification with the sacrifice. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest laid both hands on the scapegoat's head, confessing Israel's sins before it was sent into the wilderness.

Key verses:Leviticus 1:4Leviticus 3:2Leviticus 4:15Leviticus 16:21

☩In Ordination

Moses ordained Joshua by laying hands on him, transferring authority for leadership. The congregation laid hands on the Levites to consecrate them for service. Jacob blessed his grandsons Ephraim and Manasseh by laying hands on their heads. Timothy received his spiritual gift through the laying on of Paul's hands and the elders' hands.

Key verses:Numbers 27:18-23Deuteronomy 34:9Numbers 8:10-111 Timothy 4:142 Timothy 1:6

☩In Healing and Blessing

Jesus frequently laid hands on the sick to heal them, and on children to bless them. The apostles continued this practice, with Paul laying hands on the sick at Ephesus, and handkerchiefs from his body carrying healing virtue to those who could not come to him. The laying on of hands remains one of the foundational doctrines mentioned in Hebrews.

Key verses:Mark 6:5Mark 7:32Mark 10:16Matthew 19:13Acts 19:6Hebrews 6:2

☩Ceremonial Washing

Ritual washing of hands was practiced before eating, a tradition the Pharisees strictly enforced. Jesus challenged this external observance when it masked inner impurity, teaching that defilement comes from the heart, not unwashed hands.

Key verses:Matthew 15:2Mark 7:2-5

Related Verses1711 mentions

Psalms· 125 verses

7:3 8:6 9:16 10:12 10:14

Ezekiel· 104 verses

1:3 1:8 2:9 3:14 3:18

Isaiah· 100 verses

1:12 1:15 1:25 2:8 3:6

1 Samuel· 96 verses

2:13 4:3 4:8 5:4 5:6

References

1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Hand," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
2.George Morrish, "Hand," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Hand," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).