Lexical Summary cheir: Hand Original Word: χείρ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance hand. Perhaps from the base of cheimon in the sense of its congener the base of chasma (through the idea of hollowness for grasping); the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by Hebraism) a means or instrument) -- hand. see GREEK cheimon see GREEK chasma HELPS Word-studies 5495 xeír – properly, hand; (figuratively) the instrument a person uses to accomplish their purpose (intention, plan). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition the hand NASB Translation agency (1), charge* (1), grasp (1), hand (82), hands (88), help (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5495: χείρχείρ, genitive χειρός, accusative χειραν (1 Peter 5:6 Tdf.; see ἄρσην, at the end), ἡ (from the root meaning 'to lay hold of'; cf. Latinheres, etc.; Curtius, § 189; Vanicek, p. 249f), from Homer down, Hebrew יַד, the hand: Matthew 3:12; Mark 3:1; Luke 6:6; 1 Timothy 2:8; Hebrews 12:12, and often; the genitive with the verbs ά῾πτομαι, ἐπιλαμβάνομαι, κρατέω, πιάζω, etc., which see in their places; the dative with ἐργάζομαι, ἐσθίω, etc.; ὁ ἀσπασμός τῇ ἐμή χειρί, 1 Corinthians 16:21; Colossians 4:18; 2 Thessalonians 3:17; the accusative with the verbs αἴρω, δέω, ἐκπετάννυμι, ἐκτείνω, ἐμβάπτω, ἐπιτίθημι, καθαρίζω, κατασείω, νίπτω, etc. ἡ ἐπίθεσις τῶν χειρῶν (see ἐπίθεσις and references), 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6; Hebrews 6:2; ἐν χειρί τίνος, in imitation of the Hebrew פ בְּיַד (cf. Buttmann, § 133, 20 cf. 319f (274); Lightfoot on Galatians, 3:19), by the help or agency, of anyone, by means of anyone, Acts 7:35 Rec.; Galatians 3:19; (σύν χειρί ἀγγέλου, with the aid or service of the angel (cf. Buttmann, as above), Acts 7:35 L T Tr WH; those things in the performance of which the hands take the principal part (as e. g. in working miracles), are said to be done διά χειρός or χειρῶν or τῶν (cf. Buttmann, § 124, 8 d.) χειρῶν τίνος, Mark 6:2; Acts 5:12; Acts 14:3; Acts 19:11; universally, Acts 2:23; Acts 7:25; Acts 11:30; Acts 15:23; ἐπί χειρῶν, Matthew 4:6; Luke 4:11; ἐπί τήν χεῖρα, Revelation 14:9; Revelation 20:1 (here Treg. marginal reading ἐν τῇ χειρί), Revelation 20:4; ἐκ, Acts 28:4; Revelation 8:4; εἰς τήν χεῖρα (on his hand), Luke 15:22; ἡ χείρ, as an acting subject (see γλῶσσα, 1), Luke 22:21; plural, Acts 17:25; Acts 20:34; 1 John 1:1; τά ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν, Acts 7:41; Revelation 9:20; ἐκδίκειν τό αἷμα τίνος ἐκ τίνος (see ἐκδικέω, b. and ἐκ I. 7), Revelation 19:2. By metonymy, ἡ χείρ is put for power, activity (for examples from secular authors from Homer down see Passow, under the word, p. 2431b; (Liddell and Scott, under the word, p. 1720a)): παραδιδόναι τινα εἰς χεῖρας τινων, into the hostile hands (Deuteronomy 1:27; Job 16:11), Matthew 17:22; Matthew 26:45; Mark 9:31; Luke 9:44; Luke 24:7; Acts 21:11; Acts 28:17; διδόναι τί ἐν τῇ χειρί τίνος, to commit to one's protecting and upholding power, John 3:35; also εἰς τήν χεῖρα τίνος, John 13:3; τινα ἐκ τῶν χειρῶν or ἐκ χειρός τίνος (from the hostile power of anyone) ἀπάγειν, Acts 24:7 Rec.; ἐξελέσθαι, Acts 12:11 (Genesis 32:11; Exodus 18:8f); ἐξέρχεσθαι, John 10:39; ῥυσθῆναι, Luke 1:74; σωτηρία, Luke 1:71; ἐκφεύγειν τάς χεῖρας τίνος, 2 Corinthians 11:33. By a figure use of language χείρ or χεῖρες, are attributed to God, symbolizing his might, activity, power; conspicuous α. in creating the universe: ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν αὐτοῦ, Hebrews 1:10 (Psalm 101:26 Topical Lexicon Introduction and Scope With one hundred seventy-nine occurrences across the Greek New Testament, the word translated “hand” spans every genre—Gospels, Acts, Epistles, and Revelation. Its range moves effortlessly between the literal limb and a richly textured symbol of power, agency, blessing, judgment, and eschatological destiny. Literal and Figurative Use 1. Everyday actions: feeding (Mark 6:2), writing (2 Thessalonians 3:17), labor (Ephesians 4:28), fishing nets gripped by calloused hands (John 21:18). The Hand of God: Power and Providence Scripture consistently associates the divine hand with creative authority and sovereign direction. “Did not My hand create all these things?” (Acts 7:50). Luke records that “the Lord’s hand was indeed with him” concerning John the Baptist (Luke 1:66) and later that “the hand of the Lord was with them” in Antioch, resulting in widespread conversions (Acts 11:21). God's hand directs redemptive history (Acts 4:28) and abides over believers: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand” (1 Peter 5:6). Human Hands: Agency, Purity, and Sin Hands convey both worship and defilement. Pharisaic debates about ceremonial washing (Mark 7:2-5) reveal efforts to appear pure, yet Jesus insists uncleanness issues from the heart, not unwashed hands (Matthew 15:20). In James 4:8 the remedy is moral: “Cleanse your hands, you sinners.” Hands may bless or betray; Judas shared bread with Jesus while “his hand is with Mine on the table” (Luke 22:21). Hands in Worship and Prayer Early Christians followed Israel’s practice of uplifted palms as an embodied plea for mercy (Psalm 141:2). Paul instructs, “I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or dissension” (1 Timothy 2:8). The raised hand signifies openness before the Lord and solidarity in corporate devotion (Revelation 7:9, palm branches in hand). Hands in Healing and Blessing The compassionate touch of Jesus defines His earthly ministry. Touch not only heals bodies; it communicates divine favor. Parents bring children so that “He might lay His hands on them and bless them” (Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:16). The early church prays, “Stretch out Your hand to heal” (Acts 4:30), recognizing continuity between the risen Christ and Spirit-empowered disciples. Laying On of Hands for Commissioning and Gift From Moses to Timothy, the gesture denotes authorization and impartation. The Antioch church “laid hands on them and sent them off” (Acts 13:3). Through Ananias’s hands Paul regains sight and receives the Spirit (Acts 9:17). Spiritual gifts are “through prophecy with the laying on of hands” (1 Timothy 4:14); hence Paul warns, “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands” (1 Timothy 5:22). The elementary teaching of Hebrews includes “instruction about the laying on of hands” (Hebrews 6:2), rooting the practice in apostolic foundation. Hands in Betrayal, Suffering, and Redemption Arrest: “They seized Jesus and arrested Him” with their hands (Matthew 26:50). Crucifixion: Roman soldiers pierce the Savior’s hands; after resurrection He invites Thomas, “Put your finger here; see My hands” (John 20:27). The scars become lasting testimony to substitutionary atonement (Revelation 5:6 alludes to the Lamb “as though it had been slain”). On the cross Jesus entrusts Himself, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit” (Luke 23:46), fulfilling Psalm 31:5. Apostolic Hands and Manual Labor Paul exemplifies self-support: “These hands have supplied my own needs and those of my companions” (Acts 20:34), echoing his call to “work with your hands” (1 Thessalonians 4:11). Autographed farewells—“I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand” (1 Corinthians 16:21; Colossians 4:18; Philemon 1:19)—affirm authenticity and pastoral affection. Eschatological Imagery in Revelation Hands mark destiny. Saints carry harps and palm branches (Revelation 7:9; 14:2), angels wield censers and scrolls (Revelation 8:4; 10:2), the conquering Christ holds seven stars (Revelation 1:16) and a sharp sickle (Revelation 14:14). Conversely, the beast brands worshipers “on their right hand or on their forehead” (Revelation 13:16), and rebellious humanity clings to idols “made by their own hands” (Revelation 9:20). Final judgment sees an angel with “a great chain in his hand” binding Satan (Revelation 20:1). Practical Theological Themes 1. Sovereignty and security: Believers rest in the Father’s hand where none can snatch them (John 10:28-29). The motif of the hand therefore unites creation, covenant, incarnation, church mission, and consummation—always testifying that the mighty hand of the Lord accomplishes all His purpose while calling redeemed humanity to offer their own hands to His service. Forms and Transliterations χειρ χείρ χεὶρ χειρα χείρα χείρά χεῖρα χεῖρά χειρας χείρας χείράς χεῖρας χεῖράς χειρες χείρες χείρές χεῖρες χειρι χειρί χειρὶ χειρίν χειρος χειρός χειρὸς χειρων χειρών χειρῶν χερσί χερσιν χερσίν χερσὶν cheir cheír cheìr cheira cheîra cheîrá cheiras cheîras cheîrás cheires cheîres cheiri cheirí cheirì cheiron cheirôn cheirōn cheirō̂n cheiros cheirós cheiròs chersin chersín chersìnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 3:12 N-DFSGRK: ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ NAS: His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear KJV: his hand, and INT: in the hand of him and Matthew 4:6 N-GFP Matthew 5:30 N-NFS Matthew 8:3 N-AFS Matthew 8:15 N-GFS Matthew 9:18 N-AFS Matthew 9:25 N-GFS Matthew 12:10 N-AFS Matthew 12:13 N-AFS Matthew 12:49 N-AFS Matthew 14:31 N-AFS Matthew 15:2 N-AFP Matthew 15:20 N-DFP Matthew 17:22 N-AFP Matthew 18:8 N-NFS Matthew 18:8 N-AFP Matthew 19:13 N-AFP Matthew 19:15 N-AFP Matthew 22:13 N-AFP Matthew 26:23 N-AFS Matthew 26:45 N-AFP Matthew 26:50 N-AFP Matthew 26:51 N-AFS Matthew 27:24 N-AFP Mark 1:31 N-GFS Strong's Greek 5495 |
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