In the Bible, the term "fist" is often used metaphorically to represent power, aggression, or conflict. It appears in various contexts, illustrating both physical violence and symbolic gestures of defiance or strength. The use of the fist in Scripture can be seen in both literal and figurative senses, reflecting the human propensity for conflict and the need for divine intervention and justice.

Old Testament References

1. Isaiah 58:4 · In this passage, the prophet Isaiah addresses the people of Israel, criticizing their superficial religious practices. He points out that their fasting is accompanied by strife and wickedness, saying, "You fast with contention and strife to strike viciously with your fist." Here, the "fist" symbolizes the aggressive and violent behavior that contradicts the true spirit of fasting and repentance.

2. Exodus 21:18 · The Law of Moses provides guidelines for various social and legal issues, including personal injury. This verse states, "If men quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist, and he does not die but is confined to bed," outlining the legal consequences of physical altercations. The use of the fist in this context is literal, referring to physical violence and the resulting legal implications.

3. Proverbs 6:12-14 · The book of Proverbs often contrasts the behavior of the wicked with that of the righteous. In this passage, a "worthless person" is described as one who "winks with his eye, signals with his feet, and points with his fingers," with a heart that devises evil. While the fist is not explicitly mentioned, the imagery of body language and gestures can be associated with deceit and malice, akin to the aggressive connotations of a clenched fist.

New Testament References

The New Testament does not frequently mention the fist explicitly, but the concept of physical aggression and its moral implications are addressed through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. The emphasis is often on peace, forgiveness, and turning away from violence.

1. Matthew 5:39 · In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches, "But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also." While the fist is not directly mentioned, the principle of non-retaliation and overcoming evil with good is a central theme. This teaching contrasts with the natural human inclination to respond to aggression with aggression, symbolized by the fist.

2. 1 Timothy 2:8 · The apostle Paul writes to Timothy, urging that "in every place of worship, I want the men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy." The imagery of lifted hands, as opposed to clenched fists, signifies a posture of peace, prayer, and submission to God, highlighting the Christian call to live in harmony and avoid conflict.

Symbolic Interpretations

Throughout Scripture, the fist can symbolize human rebellion against God, as well as interpersonal conflict. It serves as a reminder of the fallen nature of humanity and the need for divine grace and transformation. The Bible consistently calls believers to reject violence and embrace peace, reflecting the character of Christ.

In summary, the concept of the fist in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for human aggression and the need for spiritual renewal. It challenges believers to pursue peace and righteousness, aligning their actions with the teachings of Scripture.1. (n.) The hand with the fingers doubled into the palm; the closed hand, especially as clinched tightly for the purpose of striking a blow.

2. (n.) The talons of a bird of prey.

3. (n.) the index mark [/], used to direct special attention to the passage which follows.

4. (v. t.) To strike with the fist.

5. (v. t.) To gripe with the fist.

4435. pugme -- the fist
... pugme. 4436 . the fist. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: pugme
Phonetic Spelling: (poog-may') Short Definition: the fist Definition: the fist. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4435.htm - 6k

2852. kolaphizo -- to strike with the fist
... to strike with the fist. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kolaphizo Phonetic
Spelling: (kol-af-id'-zo) Short Definition: I strike with the fist, maltreat ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2852.htm - 7k

4438. pukteuo -- to box
... fight. From a derivative of the same as pugme; to box (with the fist), ie Contend
(as a boxer) at the games (figuratively) -- fight. see GREEK pugme. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4438.htm - 6k

5180. tupto -- to strike, smite, beat
... by repeated blows; thus differing from paio and patasso, which denote a (usually
single) blow with the hand or any instrument, or plesso with the fist (or a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5180.htm - 7k

106. egroph -- a fist
... a fist. Transliteration: egroph Phonetic Spelling: (eg-rofe') Short Definition:
fist. Word Origin from garaph Definition a fist NASB Word Usage fist (2). fist. ...
/hebrew/106.htm - 6k

1574. gomed -- a short cubit (from elbow to knuckles of clenched ...
... 1573, 1574. gomed. 1575 . a short cubit (from elbow to knuckles of clenched
fist). Transliteration: gomed Phonetic Spelling: (go'-med) Short Definition: cubit ...
/hebrew/1574.htm - 6k

7062. qomets -- closed hand, fist
... 7061, 7062. qomets. 7063 . closed hand, fist. Transliteration: qomets
Phonetic Spelling: (ko'mets) Short Definition: handful. Word ...
/hebrew/7062.htm - 6k

3027. yad -- hand
... discouraging* (1), do (1), done (2), encourage* (1), encouraged* (3), enough (1),
entrust* (1), entrusted (1), entrusted* (1), exhausted* (2), fist (1), force ...
/hebrew/3027.htm - 8k

2651. chophen -- the hollow of the hand
... fists, both hands, handful. From an unused root of uncertain signification; a fist
(only in the dual) -- fists, (both) hands, hand(-ful). 2650, 2651. ...
/hebrew/2651.htm - 6k

Birth and Ancestors. Family Circumstances. "Fist and Skull" ...
... Family Circumstances. "Fist and Skull" Entertainment. Removal to Ohio and Return. ...
Birth and Ancestors. Family Circumstances. "Fist and Skull" Entertainment. ...
/.../chapter i birth and ancestors.htm

Men and Mannerisms
... Gladstone had a mannerism of striking the palm of his left hand with the clenched
fist of his other hand, so that often the emphatic word was lost in the noise ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/talks on talking/men and mannerisms.htm

Whether Fasting is an Act of virtue?
... the day of your fast your own will is founded," and a little further on (Is.58:4):
"You fast for debates and strife and strike with the fist wickedly." These ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether fasting is an act.htm

Talmage -- a Bloody Monster
... Blundering step in the hall! Door opens! Fiend, brandishing his fist, cries, "Out!
out! ... Rum tore up the carpets. Rum shook his fist. Rum desolated the hearth. ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/talmage a bloody monster.htm

Anti-Methodistic Attitude.
... from it reliable testimonies, immediately their anger begins to rise, their countenance
becomes disfigured, and, alas, with some already a fist is clenching ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/anti-methodistic attitude.htm

On the Feast of St Augustine
... The first fist, with which he is threatened, is a darkness which comes over
him from within, while he is led by a dark and miserable road. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xviii on the feast.htm

Correspondences
... Nearer and nearer she drew to us (we were on the floor beside her); then she stretched
out her arm with its clenched fist, and swung it straight for my eye. ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter iv correspondences.htm

Sebastian Castellio: a Forgotten Prophet
... And what especially wouldst thou say if they debated not only with words but with
blows of fist and strokes of sword, and if some succeeded in killing and ...
/.../chapter vi sebastian castellio a.htm

Non-Resistants.
... of Scripture as truth, that no man, as an individual, has the right to render evil
for evil, or to enforce even his lawful claims, by his fist, the club, or ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/non-resistants.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
... is also by Boudier, represents a man bewailing the dead, in the attitude adopted
at funerals by professional mourners of both sexes; the right fist resting on ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

Fist (7 Occurrences)
... follows. 4. (vt) To strike with the fist. 5. (vt) To gripe with the fist.
Multi-Version Concordance Fist (7 Occurrences). Matthew ...
/f/fist.htm - 8k

Box (13 Occurrences)
... 17. (n.) A blow on the head or ear with the hand. 18. (vi) To fight with the fist;
to combat with, or as with, the hand or fist; to spar. 19. ...
/b/box.htm - 13k

Fists (6 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 58:4 Behold, ye fast for strife and contention, and to smite with the fist
of wickedness; ye fast not this day so as to make your voice to be heard on ...
/f/fists.htm - 8k

Boxing
... 6. (n.) The act of fighting with the fist; a combat with the fist; sparring.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BOXING. See GAMES. ...
/b/boxing.htm - 6k

Buffet (4 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A small stool; a stool for a buffet or counter. 6. (vt) To strike
with the hand or fist; to box; to beat; to cuff; to slap. ...
/b/buffet.htm - 9k

Smite (230 Occurrences)
... strike; to inflict a blow upon with the hand, or with any instrument held in the
hand, or with a missile thrown by the hand; as, to smite with the fist, with a ...
/s/smite.htm - 39k

Quarrel (22 Occurrences)
... Exodus 21:18 "If men quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone, or with his
fist, and he doesn't die, but is confined to bed; (WEB NAS RSV NIV). ...
/q/quarrel.htm - 15k

Keepeth (60 Occurrences)
... Exodus 21:18 And if men strive together, and one smite another with a stone,
or with his fist, and he die not, but keepeth his bed: (KJV). ...
/k/keepeth.htm - 23k

Washing (56 Occurrences)
... by tradition, according to which "the disciples ought to have gone down to the side
of the lake, washed their hands thoroughly, `rubbing the fist of one hand ...
/w/washing.htm - 38k

Fissures (1 Occurrence)

/f/fissures.htm - 6k

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