Dictionary of Bible Themes: 7372 hands, laying on of

7372 hands, laying on of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7300 Institutions and culture of OT » 7372 hands, laying on of

An action of God or human beings, often understood to convey healing, blessing or the gift of the Holy Spirit. It also indicates the conferring of authority upon individuals for the purpose of ministry.

Laying on of hands and the communication of gifts

Laying on of hands communicates God's blessing

Mark 10:16 pp Matthew 19:15 See also Genesis 48:14-20

Laying on of hands conveys God's healing

Luke 4:40 See also Matthew 8:3 pp Mark 1:41 pp Luke 5:13 the man with leprosy; Matthew 9:18 pp Mark 5:23 Jairus' daughter; Matthew 9:29-30; Mark 6:5; Mark 7:32-35; Mark 16:18; Luke 13:13 the crippled woman; Acts 28:8; James 5:14

Laying on of hands conveys the gift of the Holy Spirit

Laying on of hands conveys reassurance

Revelation 1:17 See also Matthew 17:7

Laying on of hands in commissioning for service

Numbers 27:18-23 See also Numbers 8:10; Deuteronomy 34:9; Acts 6:6; Acts 13:3; 1 Timothy 4:14; Timothy 5:22; 2 Timothy 1:6

Laying on of hands in the OT sacrificial system

Laying on of hands in sin offerings

Leviticus 16:21 See also Exodus 29:10; Leviticus 4:4,15; Leviticus 8:14; 2 Chronicles 29:23

Laying on of hands in other offerings

Leviticus 1:4 See also Exodus 29:15,19; Leviticus 3:1-2; Leviticus 8:18,22

Laying on of hands without reference to God

Laying hands on people with intent to harm

Genesis 37:27; Joshua 2:19; 1 Samuel 23:7; Samuel 26:9-11,23; Isaiah 11:14; Luke 21:12

Laying on of hands in punishment

Leviticus 24:14; Nehemiah 13:21

The metaphorical laying of God's hand on people

God's hand brings favour

Nehemiah 2:8 See also Ezra 7:6,28; Ezra 8:18; Nehemiah 2:18

God's hand brings protection

Ezra 8:31 See also Ezra 7:9

God's hand brings prophetic revelation

Ezekiel 1:3 See also Ezekiel 3:14,22; Ezekiel 8:1; Ezekiel 33:22; Ezekiel 37:1; Ezekiel 40:1

God's hand brings judgment