Dictionary of Bible Themes
Associated in Scripture with various activities, the hand symbolises particularly power and strength. Jesus Christ's hands often bring healing and blessing.
1 Thessalonians 4:11The hand as part of the physical body
See also
Hands used for physical work
Genesis 31:42Exodus 35:25Deuteronomy 2:7Job 1:10Psalms 90:17
Ecclesiastes 2:11Acts 20:34Exodus 9:29See also
Hands used for praying
1 Kings 8:382 Chronicles 6:12-13Ezra 9:5pp 2Ch 6:29
Psalms 77:2; 88:9
1 Timothy 2:82 Kings 11:12Hands used in clapping
Psalms 47:1; 98:8
Isaiah 55:12Clapping as is a sign of approval or support:
Job 27:23Lamentations 2:15Clapping as a sign of derision or mockery:
Ezekiel 25:6Nahum 3:19Jeremiah 21:4See also
Hands used for carrying weapons
Numbers 22:29; 35:17Joshua 5:131 Samuel 18:102 Kings 11:11Ezekiel 9:1-2pp 2Ch 23:10
Galatians 6:11See also
Hands used for writing
1 Chronicles 28:19Daniel 5:5,24Romans 16:22Colossians 4:182 Thessalonians 3:17Philemon 1:19Matthew 9:25Hands as a means of assistance
See also
pp Mk 5:41
Psalms 109:31
pp Lk 8:54
Isaiah 63:12Lamentations 4:6Mark 9:27Acts 3:7; 9:412 Chronicles 32:19See also
Hands used in making idols
Deuteronomy 31:292 Kings 19:18; 22:172 Chronicles 34:25Acts 7:41Ecclesiastes 10:18See also
Idle hands
Proverbs 6:10; 10:4; 21:25; 24:33Ecclesiastes 4:5; 11:61 Kings 2:19Right and left hands
See also
Right hand as the place of honour
Genesis 48:13-141 Chronicles 6:39Psalms 45:9
Jeremiah 22:24Matthew 25:33-34Judges 20:16See also
Significant uses of the left hand
Genesis 48:13-14Judges 3:15,211 Chronicles 12:2Ezekiel 39:3Matthew 6:3Job 30:2Symbolic uses of the hand
See also
The hand as a symbol of power
Deuteronomy 32:39-401 Kings 11:12Isaiah 47:6Daniel 9:15Psalms 58:2
See also
The hand as a symbol of violence
Job 16:17; 31:21Proverbs 6:17Isaiah 1:15; 59:3,6Ezekiel 23:45Psalms 24:3-4
See also
Clean hands as a symbol of innocence
Deuteronomy 21:6-72 Samuel 22:21Job 17:9; 22:30Psalms 26:6; 73:13
pp Ps 18:20
Matthew 27:24James 4:8Ezekiel 21:7See also
Limp hands as a symbol of paralysing fear
Nehemiah 6:9Job 4:3Isaiah 13:7; 35:3Jeremiah 47:3Ezekiel 7:17-18Zephaniah 3:16Matthew 18:8See also
Hands as a symbol of temptation
Genesis 3:22Ezekiel 18:8,17Matthew 5:30Mark 9:43Ezra 10:19Hands used in making agreements
Proverbs 6:1; 11:15; 17:18; 22:26Striking hands in pledge
Genesis 14:22; 24:2,9; 47:29Symbolic actions in oath taking
2 Kings 10:15Isaiah 2:6Joining hands in partnership or fellowship
Hosea 7:5Galatians 2:91 Samuel 19:5Figurative use of hands
See also
Judges 12:31 Samuel 28:21Job 13:14Psalms 119:109
Isaiah 2:8Luke 4:40Hands of Jesus Christ
See also
Jesus Christ's hands used in healing
Matthew 8:3Matthew 9:18pp Mk 1:41
pp Lk 5:13
Mark 6:5; 7:32-33Luke 13:13pp Mk 5:23
Mark 10:13-16Jesus Christ's hands used in blessing
See also
Luke 24:50pp Mt 19:13-15
John 20:27See also
Jesus Christ's hands were pierced
Psalms 22:16
Isaiah 53:5Zechariah 12:10John 19:37Luke 24:40John 20:25Acts 2:23Ezekiel 10:7-8Hands of angels
See also
1 Chronicles 21:15-16Isaiah 6:6Ezekiel 1:8pp 2Sa 24:16
Genesis 25:26; 27:16,22-23Significant examples of hands
In Jacob's life:
Exodus 10:22; 14:21,27Nehemiah 4:17Moses' miracles:
Matthew 26:23Nehemiah's defences
See also
Judas' betrayal
1265 hand of God1305 God, activity of2351 Christ, miracles5128 baldness5144 cloak5153 foot-washing5195 veil5619 distance & area5865 gestures7342 cleanliness7372 hands, laying on8652 importunity 
