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

and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.

Hands used for praying

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

Moses said to him, “When I have left the city, I will spread out my hands to the LORD. The thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, so that you may know that the earth is the LORD’s.

Hands used in clapping

2 Kings 11:12 Psalm 47:1, Psalm 98:8; Isaiah 55:12; Job 27:23; Lamentations 2:15; Ezekiel 25:6; Nahum 3:19

Then Jehoiada brought out the king’s son, put the crown on him, presented him with the Testimony, and proclaimed him king. They anointed him, and the people clapped their hands and declared, “Long live the king!”

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 parallel 2 Chronicles 23:10; Ezekiel 9:1–2

this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I will turn against you the weapons of war in your hands, with which you are fighting the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans who besiege you outside the wall, and I will assemble their forces in the center of this city.

Hands used for writing

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

See what large letters I am using to write to you with my own hand!

Hands as a means of assistance

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

After the crowd had been put outside, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.

Hands used in making idols

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

They spoke against the God of Jerusalem as they had spoken against the gods of the peoples of the earth — the work of human hands.

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

Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.

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

So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. The king stood up to greet her, bowed to her, and sat down on his throne. Then the king had a throne brought for his mother, who sat down at his right hand.

Significant uses of the left hand

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

Among all these soldiers there were 700 select left-handers, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair without missing.

Symbolic uses of the hand

The hand as a symbol of power

Job 30:2 See also Deuteronomy 32:39–40; 1 Kings 11:12; Isaiah 47:6; Daniel 9:15

What use to me was the strength of their hands, since their vigor had left them?

The hand as a symbol of violence

Psalm 58:2 See also Job 16:17, Job 31:21; Proverbs 6:17; Isaiah 1:15, Isaiah 59:3, Isaiah 59:6; Ezekiel 23:45

No, in your hearts you devise injustice; with your hands you mete out violence on the earth.

Clean hands as a symbol of innocence

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

Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully.

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

And when they ask, ‘Why are you groaning?’ you are to say, ‘Because of the news that is coming. Every heart will melt, and every hand will go limp. Every spirit will faint, and every knee will turn to water.’ Yes, it is coming and it will surely happen, declares the Lord GOD.”

Hands as a symbol of temptation

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

If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than to have two hands and two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire.

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, Genesis 24:9, 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

He took his life in his hands when he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced, so why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?”

Hands of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ's hands used in healing

Luke 4:40 See also Matthew 8:3 parallels Mark 1:41, Luke 5:13; Matthew 9:18 parallel Mark 5:23; Mark 6:5, Mark 7:32–33; Luke 13:13

At sunset, all who were ill with various diseases were brought to Jesus, and laying His hands on each one, He healed them.

Jesus Christ's hands used in blessing

Mark 10:13–16 parallel Matthew 19:13–15 See also Luke 24:50

Now people were bringing the little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, and the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and told them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them, and blessed them.

Jesus Christ's hands were pierced

John 20:27 See also Psalm 22:16; Isaiah 53:5; Zechariah 12:10; John 19:37; Luke 24:40; John 20:25; Acts 2:23

Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.”

Hands of angels

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

Then one of the cherubim reached out his hand and took some of the fire that was among them. And he put it into the hands of the man clothed in linen, who received it and went out. (The cherubim appeared to have the form of human hands under their wings.)

Significant examples of hands

In Jacob's life: Genesis 25:26, Genesis 27:16, Genesis 27:22–23; Exodus 10:22, Exodus 14:21, Exodus 14:27; Nehemiah 4:17 Nehemiah's defences; Matthew 26:23 Judas' betrayal