Jump to: ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Significance: Handwriting in biblical times was a significant means of communication and record-keeping. It was a skill that not everyone possessed, and those who could write often held positions of authority or responsibility. In the Bible, handwriting is mentioned in various contexts, from divine messages to legal documents. Biblical References: 1. The Handwriting on the Wall (Daniel 5): One of the most famous instances of handwriting in the Bible is the mysterious writing on the wall during King Belshazzar's feast. As the king and his nobles drank from the sacred vessels taken from the Jerusalem temple, a hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall. The king was terrified and called for his wise men to interpret the writing, but they could not. Daniel was brought in and interpreted the message, which foretold the fall of Babylon. The passage reads: "Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote" (Daniel 5:5). This event underscores the divine authority and judgment conveyed through handwriting. 2. The Law Written by the Finger of God (Exodus 31:18): Another significant mention of handwriting is the giving of the Ten Commandments. The Bible states that the tablets were inscribed by the finger of God: "When He had finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses the two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God" (Exodus 31:18). This divine handwriting signifies the direct communication and covenant between God and His people. 3. Paul's Personal Handwriting (Galatians 6:11): The Apostle Paul occasionally refers to his own handwriting in his epistles, emphasizing the personal nature and authenticity of his letters. In Galatians, he writes: "See what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand" (Galatians 6:11). This personal touch was meant to assure the recipients of the letter's genuineness and to underscore the importance of the message. 4. Legal and Covenant Documents: Handwriting was also used for legal and covenantal purposes. In Jeremiah 32, the prophet purchases a field and records the transaction in a deed, which is then sealed and stored as a legal document. This practice highlights the importance of written records in maintaining legal and covenantal agreements. Cultural Context: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, writing was a specialized skill often associated with scribes and scholars. The ability to write was crucial for the administration of kingdoms, the preservation of religious texts, and the communication of laws and decrees. In the biblical context, handwriting served as a means of divine revelation, personal communication, and legal documentation. Theological Implications: Handwriting in the Bible often carries theological significance, particularly when associated with divine messages or covenants. The act of writing by God's own hand, as seen in the giving of the Law, underscores the authority and permanence of His commandments. Similarly, the handwriting on the wall in Daniel serves as a powerful symbol of God's sovereignty and judgment. Conclusion: While handwriting in the Bible is mentioned in various contexts, its most profound instances are those where it serves as a medium for divine communication and authority. Whether through the finger of God inscribing the Law or the mysterious writing on Belshazzar's wall, handwriting in the biblical narrative is a testament to the power and presence of God in human affairs. Easton's Bible Dictionary (Colossians 2:14). The "blotting out the handwriting" is the removal by the grace of the gospel of the condemnation of the law which we had broken. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) The cast or form of writing peculiar to each hand or person; chirography.2. (n.) That which is written by hand; manuscript. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia HANDWRITINGhand'-rit-ing. Greek 5498. cheirographon -- a (handwritten) document, legal note, bond ... note, bond. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: cheirographon Phonetic Spelling: (khi-rog'-raf-on) Short Definition: a handwriting, bond Definition: a ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5498.htm - 6k Library The Handwriting Blotted Out The Handwriting on the Wall The Incidents Properly Affecting the Body which Christ for Our ... Weighed in the Balances Sin's Writing and Its Erasure The Champion of Origen, You See, the Encomiast of Pamphilus ... But Perhaps You Will Say to Me: "Why do You Fill Your Paper with ... Book ix. On Jerusalem and Her Enemies A Gracious Dismissal Writing Blotted Out and Mist Melted Thesaurus Handwriting (4 Occurrences)... (Colossians 2:14). The "blotting out the handwriting" is the removal by the grace of the gospel of the condemnation of the law which we had broken. ...HANDWRITING. ... /h/handwriting.htm - 8k Writing (194 Occurrences) Daniel (74 Occurrences) Nailing (2 Occurrences) Nailed (9 Occurrences) Ordinances (119 Occurrences) Opposed (23 Occurrences) Legal (13 Occurrences) Galatians (2 Occurrences) Wiping (4 Occurrences) Resources What is the meaning of “mene mene tekel upharsin”? What is the meaning of the handwriting on the wall? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Belshazzar? | GotQuestions.org Questions about Daniel | GotQuestions.org Handwriting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Handwriting (4 Occurrences)Galatians 6:11 Colossians 2:14 Colossians 4:18 2 Thessalonians 3:18 Subtopics Related Terms |
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