In biblical literature, the term "hand" is rich with symbolic and literal significance, appearing frequently throughout the Scriptures. The hand often represents power, authority, and action, reflecting both divine and human attributes.

Divine Power and Protection

The hand of God is a powerful symbol of divine intervention and protection. In Exodus 15:6, the Israelites sing, "Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power; Your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy." Here, the hand signifies God's might and ability to deliver His people from their adversaries. Similarly, in Isaiah 41:10, God reassures His people, "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Creation and Sovereignty

The hand of God is also associated with creation and His sovereign rule over the universe. Psalm 19:1 declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." This imagery underscores God's role as the Creator, whose hands have fashioned the cosmos. Furthermore, in Psalm 95:4-5, it is written, "In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land."

Human Agency and Responsibility

In a human context, hands are often depicted as instruments of action and responsibility. Ecclesiastes 9:10 advises, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom." This verse emphasizes the importance of diligence and purposeful action in one's life.

Blessing and Consecration

The laying on of hands is a significant ritual act in the Bible, symbolizing blessing, consecration, and the impartation of authority. In Genesis 48:14, Jacob crosses his hands to bless Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, signifying the transmission of blessing and inheritance. In the New Testament, the apostles lay hands on individuals to confer the Holy Spirit or to appoint them to specific roles within the early Church (Acts 6:6, 8:17).

Judgment and Punishment

Conversely, hands can also symbolize judgment and punishment. In Deuteronomy 32:41, God declares, "When I sharpen My flashing sword and My hand grasps it in judgment, I will take vengeance on My adversaries and repay those who hate Me." Here, the hand is an instrument of divine justice, executing judgment upon the wicked.

Healing and Miracles

The hands of Jesus are frequently associated with healing and miracles. In Mark 1:41, Jesus reaches out His hand and touches a leper, saying, "I am willing, be clean!" Immediately, the leprosy leaves the man, demonstrating the power and compassion of Christ's touch. The hands of Jesus are a conduit for divine healing and restoration.

Symbol of Fellowship and Unity

In the early Church, the "right hand of fellowship" was extended as a sign of acceptance and unity among believers. Galatians 2:9 recounts how James, Cephas, and John gave Paul and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, recognizing their ministry to the Gentiles. This gesture symbolizes mutual respect and partnership in the work of the Gospel.

The concept of "hand" in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing themes of power, creation, action, blessing, judgment, healing, and fellowship. It serves as a profound symbol of both divine and human interaction within the biblical narrative.

Epistle xxxix. To Anastasius, Bishop .
... And indeed I know how heavy must be to thee the burden of external cares after those
heights of rest, wherein with the hand of the heart thou wert touching ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxxix to anastasius bishop.htm

A Discourse of the Building, Nature, Excellency, and Government of ...
... knit in love, the couplings are; Good doctrine like to mortar doth cement The whole
together, schism to prevent: His compass, his decree; his hand's the Spirit ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse of the building.htm

Marriage of the Blessed virgin to Joseph
... I saw that he was in a spiritual ecstasy and saw a vision, and that the forefinger
of his hand was laid upon the passage of Isaiah in the scroll: "And there ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/vii marriage of the blessed.htm

An Appeal to the Outsider; Or, the Claims of Christianity
... months entirely for himself. He had never done a hand's turn to be of any good
or use to any one, and it hurt him. One day he determined ...
/.../stones rolled away and other addresses to young men/iv an appeal to the.htm

The Hold Fast
... the like bury the Bible under heaps of rubbish; but he who means to be a man of
God to the fullness of his manhood will feed upon the word of God at first hand ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the hold fast.htm

The Preacher as an Apostle.
... interested in that work than in his own; and so his whole forenoon is gone, and
he is summoned to dinner before he has earned his salt by one decent hand's turn ...
/.../stalker/the preacher and his models/lecture viii the preacher as.htm

The Presentation of the Blessed virgin in the Temple
... In the picture he was not holding the Tables of the Law in his hand; they were hanging
at his side or on his arm. Moses was very tall and broad-shouldered. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/iii the presentation of the.htm

Another Wonderful Record of 25.
... As he passed the door a young lady met him, and placed in his hand fifty dollars,
saying that twenty was to go for the Sabbath-school library, and the ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/another wonderful record of 25 00.htm

Hand's (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Hand's (3 Occurrences). Psalms 39:5 You have
made my days no longer than a hand's measure; and my years ...
/h/hand's.htm - 7k

Overhanging (6 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 43:13 And these are the measures of the altar in cubits: (the cubit being
a cubit and a hand's measure;) its hollow base is a cubit high and a cubit ...
/o/overhanging.htm - 8k

Gulf (3 Occurrences)
... from, though it probably reflects, the rabbinical conception of the separation between
the two compartments of Hades (Sheol) by "a hand's breadth," "a wall ...
/g/gulf.htm - 9k

Handsome (15 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Genesis 39:6 He left all that he had in Joseph's hand. He didn't concern
himself with anything, except for the food which he ate. ...
/h/handsome.htm - 11k

Hand (14438 Occurrences)
... of sanctification (1 Corinthians 6:11; Isaiah 51:16; Psalm 24:3, 4). In Psalm
77:2 the correct rendering is, as in the Revised Version, "My hand was stretched ...
/h/hand.htm - 27k

Width (58 Occurrences)
... of brass. (See NAS). Exodus 28:16 It is to be square, folded in two, a
hand-stretch long and a hand-stretch wide. (See NAS). Exodus ...
/w/width.htm - 22k

Hollow (35 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A cavity, natural or artificial; an unfilled space within anything; a hole,
a cavern; an excavation; as the hollow of the hand or of a tree. ...
/h/hollow.htm - 20k

Hand-stretch (2 Occurrences)
Hand-stretch. Hand-staves, Hand-stretch. Hand'to . Multi-Version
Concordance Hand-stretch (2 Occurrences). Exodus 28:16 It is to ...
/h/hand-stretch.htm - 7k

Handful (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) As much as the hand will grasp or contain. 2.
(n.) A hand's breadth; four inches. 3. (n.) A small quantity. Int. ...
/h/handful.htm - 11k

Hands (998 Occurrences)
... Matthew 18:8 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off, and cast
it from you. ... Mark 9:43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. ...
/h/hands.htm - 39k

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