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 1Th 4:11 See also Ge 31:42; Ex 35:25; Dt 2:7; Job 1:10; Ps 90:17; Ecc 2:11; Ac 20:34

Hands used for praying Ex 9:29 See also 1Ki 8:38 pp 2Ch 6:29; 2Ch 6:12-13; Ezr 9:5; Ps 77:2; Ps 88:9; 1Ti 2:8

Hands used in clapping 2Ki 11:12 Clapping as is a sign of approval or support: Ps 47:1; Ps 98:8; Isa 55:12 Clapping as a sign of derision or mockery: Job 27:23; La 2:15; Eze 25:6; Na 3:19

Hands used for carrying weapons Jer 21:4 See also Nu 22:29; Nu 35:17; Jos 5:13; 1Sa 18:10; 2Ki 11:11 pp 2Ch 23:10; Eze 9:1-2

Hands used for writing Gal 6:11 See also 1Ch 28:19; Da 5:5,24; Ro 16:22; Col 4:18; 2Th 3:17; Phm 19

Hands as a means of assistance Mt 9:25 pp Mk 5:41 pp Lk 8:54 See also Ps 109:31; Isa 63:12; La 4:6; Mk 9:27; Ac 3:7; Ac 9:41

Hands used in making idols 2Ch 32:19 See also Dt 31:29; 2Ki 19:18; 2Ki 22:17; 2Ch 34:25; Ac 7:41

Idle hands Ecc 10:18 See also Pr 6:10; Pr 10:4; Pr 21:25; Pr 24:33; Ecc 4:5; Ecc 11:6

Right and left hands

Right hand as the place of honour 1Ki 2:19 See also Ge 48:13-14; 1Ch 6:39; Ps 45:9; Jer 22:24; Mt 25:33-34

Significant uses of the left hand Jdg 20:16 See also Ge 48:13-14; Jdg 3:15,21; 1Ch 12:2; Eze 39:3; Mt 6:3

Symbolic uses of the hand

The hand as a symbol of power Job 30:2 See also Dt 32:39-40; 1Ki 11:12; Isa 47:6; Da 9:15

The hand as a symbol of violence Ps 58:2 See also Job 16:17; Job 31:21; Pr 6:17; Isa 1:15; Isa 59:3,6; Eze 23:45

Clean hands as a symbol of innocence Ps 24:3-4 See also Dt 21:6-7; 2Sa 22:21 pp Ps 18:20; Job 17:9; Job 22:30; Ps 26:6; Ps 73:13; Mt 27:24; Jas 4:8

Limp hands as a symbol of paralysing fear Eze 21:7 See also Ne 6:9; Job 4:3; Isa 13:7; Isa 35:3; Jer 47:3; Eze 7:17-18; Zep 3:16

Hands as a symbol of temptation Mt 18:8 See also Ge 3:22; Eze 18:8,17; Mt 5:30; Mk 9:43

Hands used in making agreements

Striking hands in pledge Ezr 10:19; Pr 6:1; Pr 11:15; Pr 17:18; Pr 22:26

Symbolic actions in oath taking Ge 14:22; Ge 24:2,9; Ge 47:29

Joining hands in partnership or fellowship 2Ki 10:15; Isa 2:6; Hos 7:5; Gal 2:9

Figurative use of hands

1Sa 19:5 See also Jdg 12:3; 1Sa 28:21; Job 13:14; Ps 119:109; Isa 2:8

Hands of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ’s hands used in healing Lk 4:40 See also Mt 8:3 pp Mk 1:41 pp Lk 5:13; Mt 9:18 pp Mk 5:23; Mk 6:5; Mk 7:32-33; Lk 13:13

Jesus Christ’s hands used in blessing Mk 10:13-16 pp Mt 19:13-15 See also Lk 24:50

Jesus Christ’s hands were pierced Jn 20:27 See also Ps 22:16; Isa 53:5; Zec 12:10; Jn 19:37; Lk 24:40; Jn 20:25; Ac 2:23

Hands of angels

Eze 10:7-8 See also 1Ch 21:15-16 pp 2Sa 24:16; Isa 6:6; Eze 1:8

Significant examples of hands

See also