Hands, lifting up of

A human gesture which can be a sign of worship and adoration or indicate the swearing of a solemn oath. God is portrayed as raising his hands as a sign of authority over his creation.

God's uplifted hand

God's uplifted hand signifies his power

Psalm 118:16 See also Exodus 24:11; Psalm 89:13; Isaiah 9:12, Isaiah 9:17, Isaiah 9:21, Isaiah 26:11

The right hand of the LORD is exalted! The right hand of the LORD performs with valor!”

God's uplifted hand signifies his judgment

Isaiah 5:25 See also 1 Samuel 6:3, 1 Samuel 6:5; Isaiah 19:16; Micah 5:9; Zechariah 2:9

Therefore the anger of the LORD burns against His people; His hand is raised against them to strike them down. The mountains quake, and the corpses lie like refuse in the streets. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.

Hands uplifted for swearing oaths

Oaths taken by God

Ezekiel 20:5 See also Exodus 6:8; Deuteronomy 32:40–41; Nehemiah 9:15; Ezekiel 20:15, Ezekiel 36:7, Ezekiel 47:14

and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: On the day I chose Israel, I swore an oath to the descendants of the house of Jacob and made Myself known to them in the land of Egypt. With an uplifted hand I said to them, ‘I am the LORD your God.’

Oaths taken by people and angels

Genesis 14:22–23; Daniel 12:7; Revelation 10:5

Hands uplifted in worship

Hands lifted up in prayer

Psalm 28:2 See also Exodus 17:11–13; Psalm 141:2; Lamentations 2:19, Lamentations 3:41; 1 Timothy 2:8

Hear my cry for mercy when I call to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.

Hands lifted up in praise

Psalm 63:4 See also Nehemiah 8:6; Psalm 119:48, Psalm 134:2

So I will bless You as long as I live; in Your name I will lift my hands.

Hands lifted up for blessing

Leviticus 9:22; Luke 24:50

Hands lifted up as a threat

1 Samuel 24:6 See also 1 Samuel 18:17, 1 Samuel 22:17, 1 Samuel 24:10; 2 Samuel 18:12, 2 Samuel 18:28, 2 Samuel 20:21; Job 31:21

So he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.”

Uplifted hands as a sign of minimal effort

Genesis 41:44; Deuteronomy 28:32; Ezra 6:12; Psalm 76:5

Uplifted hands as a sign of support

Psalm 91:12 See also Matthew 4:6 parallel Luke 4:11

They will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.