Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5760 Human attitudes and behaviour » 5865 gestures Significant acts, bodily movements or signals which carry meaning, evoke responses or convey positive or negative feelings. They may or may not be accompanied by words or other communications. Gestures are part of human communication They give weight to a contract Ruth 4:7 See also 2 Samuel 24:22-24 pp 1 Chronicles 21:23-24; Jeremiah 32:10-12 They add force to words 1 Samuel 11:7 See also Joshua 7:25-26; 1 Samuel 15:27-28; 2 Samuel 12:16; Matthew 21:12-13 pp Mark 11:15-17 pp Luke 19:45-46 pp John 2:15-16 Use of gestures illustrates the demonstrative nature of much communication in the cultures of biblical times. Gestures often convey more than words Gestures of joy There is a spontaneous and unpremeditated element in many gestures: Genesis 21:6; Leviticus 9:24; Acts 3:8 Gestures of love 1 Samuel 1:5 See also Genesis 37:3; 1 Samuel 2:19; Luke 7:46-47; Luke 10:34; Luke 15:20; John 15:13; Romans 5:8 Gestures of mercy Isaiah 6:6-7 See also 1 Samuel 24:10-11; 2 Samuel 9:1,7; Matthew 18:27 Mercy itself is a gesture of love. Gestures of worship and reverence Exodus 3:5 See also Exodus 3:6; Joshua 5:14; Nehemiah 8:6; Psalm 63:4; Psalm 134:2; Matthew 2:11; Luke 5:8; John 11:32; Revelation 1:17 Gestures of repentance Job 42:6 See also 1 Kings 21:27; Ezra 10:1; Isaiah 22:12; Joel 2:12; Jonah 3:6-8; Matthew 11:21 pp Luke 10:13; Matthew 27:3-5 Gestures of sorrow and mourning 2 Samuel 3:31 Gestures of sorrow and mourning are very similar to those of repentance and remorse. See also 2 Samuel 19:4; Esther 4:1; Psalm 137:1; Joel 1:13; Amos 5:16 Gestures of dedication Acts 22:16 See also Genesis 17:10; Exodus 21:6; 1 Samuel 20:41-42; Nehemiah 10:35-37 Gestures of anger Luke 15:28 See also Exodus 32:19; Numbers 22:27; 1 Samuel 20:33-34; Matthew 26:65 pp Mark 14:63; Acts 7:54,57; Revelation 3:16 Gestures of treachery Luke 22:47-48 pp Matthew 26:47-49 pp Mark 14:43-45 See also 2 Samuel 3:27; Samuel 20:9-10 Gestures of contempt Shaking of the head: Psalm 22:7; Psalm 64:8; Matthew 27:39 pp Mark 15:29 Spitting: Matthew 26:67 pp Mark 14:65; Revelation 3:16 Other examples of gestures The gesture of washing hands Matthew 27:24 See also Deuteronomy 21:6-7; Psalm 26:6; Psalm 73:13 The gesture of shaking dust from the feet Matthew 10:14 pp Mark 6:11 pp Luke 9:5 See also Luke 10:11; Acts 13:51 Jesus Christ's gesture of washing the disciples' feet John 13:4-5,12-15 This was a gesture of service and a lesson in both serving and being willing to accept service. See also
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