Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5156 hand

5156 hand

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5125 Parts of the body and clothing » 5156 hand

Associated in Scripture with various activities, the hand symbolises particularly power and strength. Jesus Christ's hands often bring healing and blessing.

The hand as part of the physical body

Hands used for physical work

1 Thessalonians 4:11 See also Genesis 31:42; Exodus 35:25; Deuteronomy 2:7; Job 1:10; Psalm 90:17; Ecclesiastes 2:11; Acts 20:34

Hands used for praying

Exodus 9:29 See also 1 Kings 8:38 pp 2 Chronicles 6:29; 2 Chronicles 6:12-13; Ezra 9:5; Psalm 77:2; Psalm 88:9; 1 Timothy 2:8

Hands used in clapping

2 Kings 11:12

Clapping as is a sign of approval or support:

Psalm 47:1; Psalm 98:8; Isaiah 55:12

Clapping as a sign of derision or mockery:

Job 27:23; Lamentations 2:15; Ezekiel 25:6; Nahum 3:19

Hands used for carrying weapons

Jeremiah 21:4 See also Numbers 22:29; Numbers 35:17; Joshua 5:13; 1 Samuel 18:10; 2 Kings 11:11 pp 2 Chronicles 23:10; Ezekiel 9:1-2

Hands used for writing

Galatians 6:11 See also 1 Chronicles 28:19; Daniel 5:5,24; Romans 16:22; Colossians 4:18; 2 Thessalonians 3:17; Phm 19

Hands as a means of assistance

Matthew 9:25 pp Mark 5:41 pp Luke 8:54 See also Psalm 109:31; Isaiah 63:12; Lamentations 4:6; Mark 9:27; Acts 3:7; Acts 9:41

Hands used in making idols

2 Chronicles 32:19 See also Deuteronomy 31:29; 2 Kings 19:18; Kings 22:17; 2 Chronicles 34:25; Acts 7:41

Idle hands

Ecclesiastes 10:18 See also Proverbs 6:10; Proverbs 10:4; Proverbs 21:25; Proverbs 24:33; Ecclesiastes 4:5; Ecclesiastes 11:6

Right and left hands

Right hand as the place of honour

1 Kings 2:19 See also Genesis 48:13-14; 1 Chronicles 6:39; Psalm 45:9; Jeremiah 22:24; Matthew 25:33-34

Significant uses of the left hand

Judges 20:16 See also Genesis 48:13-14; Judges 3:15,21; 1 Chronicles 12:2; Ezekiel 39:3; Matthew 6:3

Symbolic uses of the hand

The hand as a symbol of power

The hand as a symbol of violence

Clean hands as a symbol of innocence

Psalm 24:3-4 See also Deuteronomy 21:6-7; 2 Samuel 22:21 pp Psalm 18:20; Job 17:9; Job 22:30; Psalm 26:6; Psalm 73:13; Matthew 27:24; James 4:8

Limp hands as a symbol of paralysing fear

Ezekiel 21:7 See also Nehemiah 6:9; Job 4:3; Isaiah 13:7; Isaiah 35:3; Jeremiah 47:3; Ezekiel 7:17-18; Zephaniah 3:16

Hands as a symbol of temptation

Matthew 18:8 See also Genesis 3:22; Ezekiel 18:8,17; Matthew 5:30; Mark 9:43

Hands used in making agreements

Striking hands in pledge

Ezra 10:19; Proverbs 6:1; Proverbs 11:15; Proverbs 17:18; Proverbs 22:26

Symbolic actions in oath taking

Genesis 14:22; Genesis 24:2,9; Genesis 47:29

Joining hands in partnership or fellowship

2 Kings 10:15; Isaiah 2:6; Hosea 7:5; Galatians 2:9

Figurative use of hands

1 Samuel 19:5 See also Judges 12:3; 1 Samuel 28:21; Job 13:14; Psalm 119:109; Isaiah 2:8

Hands of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ's hands used in healing

Jesus Christ's hands used in blessing

Mark 10:13-16 pp Matthew 19:13-15 See also Luke 24:50

Jesus Christ's hands were pierced

Hands of angels

Ezekiel 10:7-8 See also 1 Chronicles 21:15-16 pp 2 Samuel 24:16; Isaiah 6:6; Ezekiel 1:8

Significant examples of hands

In Jacob's life:

Genesis 25:26; Genesis 27:16,22-23

Moses' miracles:

Exodus 10:22; Exodus 14:21,27 Nehemiah 4:17 Nehemiah's defences; Matthew 26:23 Judas' betrayal