HAND (יָד, H3338, hand; כַּף, H4090, palm of hand; יָמִינ֒, H3545, right hand; שְׂמֹאל, H8520, left hand; Gr. χεῖρ, hand; δεξία, right hand; ἀριστερά, left hand). The hand is used more than any other part of the body. It includes not only the agile fingers (Gen 41:42) but the wrist on which Abraham’s servant put the bracelets for Rebekah (Gen 24:22 KJV). Generally the hand suggests power (Exod 14:30) while the use of the word “finger” implies dexterity (Ps 8:3), so the laying on of the hand was a means of passing the spirit from the strong one to the recipient. The shield was held by the left hand, but a friend stood on one’s right hand to guard him on his stronger side which an enemy was most likely to assail (16:8). The accuser also stood at one’s right hand (109:6). The right hand was the point of most danger and honor, although to be on either side of Christ in His kingdom was a desirable place (Mark 10:37). The left hand was inclined to evil (Eccl 10:2) and the rejected goats were sent to the left at the glorious throne (Matt 25:31). “On the right hand” indicated S and “on the left hand” the N (as Gen 14:15 is tr. in ASV). Parts of the hand were cut off in war and brought home as symbols of victory (Judg 1:6). The hand also was cut off after a shameful act (Deut 25:12) or metaphorically to prevent sin (Matt 5:30). A mark on the hand was a reminder of the successful Exodus from Egypt (Exod 13:16) or a sign of ownership (Isa 44:5). Children were those who “do not know their right hand from their left” (Jonah 4:11).

Idiomatically the hand portrayed many activities. It could stand for the whole person as in “their hand also is with David” (1 Sam 22:17), “hand for hand” gave justice (Exod 21:24); to “shake the fist” promised judgment (Isa 10:32); to “lay the hand upon” meant to injure or kill (Gen 22:12); to “relax the hand” was to slack duty (Josh 10:6); to “bury the hand” is a sluggard’s inertia (Prov 19:24); to “lay your hand upon your mouth” commanded silence (Job 21:5); and to put one’s hand on his own head displayed grief from injustice (2 Sam 13:19). Washing hands was not only for cleansing before every meal to remove dirt and contagion (Matt 15:2) but could imply innocence or a shirking of responsibility, for which Pilate became infamous (27:24). Hands were smitten together in both joy and anger (Num 24:10) and in spiteful triumph (Nah 3:19) and one kissed his own hands in pride (Job 31:27).

A job is begun when one “puts his hand unto” (Deut 15:11), or “to the plow” (Luke 9:62). To “put forth his hand” may be to snatch a future no longer permitted (Gen 3:22). One risks his own life if he puts it in his hands (1 Sam 19:5). Hands were lifted up to bless a multitude (Lev 9:22), and were stretched out to ask for help (Ps 143:6). Likewise “lifting holy hands” is beseeching (1 Tim 2:8).

Laying hands upon the head of children to give a blessing was done by both Israel and Jesus (Gen 48:13; Matt 19:13). Jesus also raised the daughter of Jairus by taking her hand (Matt 9:25). The Holy Spirit was received by the laying on of hands (Acts 8:17; 1 Tim 4:14), but sins were transferred to a sacrificial animal in like fashion (Lev 16:21). The Egyptians had a similar custom.

The Lord God says, “I will stretch out my hand against” the wicked (Ezek 25:13) and to help His people (Deut 3:24; 4:34). God is near, i.e. “at hand” (Jer 23:23) but also every-where, and He may appear at anytime, “the Lord is at hand” (Phil 4:5). Jesus demonstrated His identity by showing the print of the nails in His hands (John 20:27). Christian assurance is guaranteed by no one’s being able to pluck the believer out of the Father’s hand (10:29). The Lord Jesus committed His spirit into His Father’s hands, and is sitting at the right hand of God (Ps 110:1).