Imposition, in a biblical context, often refers to the act of laying on of hands, a practice with deep roots in both the Old and New Testaments. This act symbolizes the conferring of authority, blessing, or the Holy Spirit, and is a significant ritual in various religious ceremonies and ordinations.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the laying on of hands is frequently associated with the transfer of blessing or authority. For instance, in Genesis 48:14, Israel (Jacob) lays his hands on Ephraim and Manasseh to bless them, signifying the passing of patriarchal blessing. Similarly, in Numbers 27:18-23, Moses lays his hands on Joshua, commissioning him as his successor and conferring upon him the authority to lead the Israelites: "So Moses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation, and he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the LORD had instructed through Moses" (Numbers 27:22-23).

The laying on of hands is also seen in the context of sacrifices, where the individual offering the sacrifice would lay hands on the animal, symbolically transferring sin or guilt (Leviticus 1:4).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the practice of laying on of hands continues, taking on new dimensions with the coming of Christ and the establishment of the Church. Jesus Himself laid hands on individuals to heal them, as seen in Mark 6:5: "So He could not perform any miracles there, except to lay His hands on a few of the sick and heal them" .

The Apostles also used the laying on of hands to impart the Holy Spirit and to commission individuals for ministry. In Acts 8:17, Peter and John lay hands on the Samaritans who had believed in Jesus, and they receive the Holy Spirit: "Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit" . Similarly, in Acts 13:3, the church in Antioch lays hands on Paul and Barnabas, sending them off for missionary work: "So after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off" .

The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of this practice in the context of ordination and spiritual gifts. In 1 Timothy 4:14, Paul reminds Timothy, "Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the elders" . This underscores the role of imposition in the transmission of spiritual gifts and authority within the early Church.

Theological Significance

Theologically, the imposition of hands is seen as a means of grace, a tangible expression of God's blessing and empowerment. It serves as a visible sign of the invisible work of the Holy Spirit, whether in healing, ordination, or the impartation of spiritual gifts. The practice underscores the communal and relational aspects of faith, as it often involves the participation of the church body in recognizing and affirming God's call and work in an individual's life.

Practical Application

In contemporary Christian practice, the laying on of hands remains a vital part of various sacraments and ceremonies, including ordination, confirmation, and healing services. It is a reminder of the continuity of faith and the shared responsibility of the Christian community to support and uphold one another in the faith. The act of imposition serves as a powerful symbol of unity, authority, and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church.1. (n.) The act of imposing, laying on, affixing, enjoining, inflicting, obtruding, and the like.

2. (n.) That which is imposed, levied, or enjoined; charge; burden; injunction; tax.

3. (n.) An extra exercise enjoined on students as a punishment.

4. (n.) An excessive, arbitrary, or unlawful exaction; hence, a trick or deception put on laid on others; cheating; fraud; delusion; imposture.

5. (n.) The act of laying on the hands as a religious ceremony, in ordination, confirmation, etc.

6. (n.) The act or process of imposing pages or columns of type. See Impose, v. t., 4.

HANDS; HANDS, IMPOSITION, LAYING ON OF

im-po-zish'-un (epithesis cheiron, Acts 8:18 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6 Hebrews 6:2): The act or ceremony of the imposition of hands appears in the Old Testament in various connections: in the act of blessing (Genesis 48:14); in the ritual of sacrifice (hands of the offerer laid on head of victim, Exodus 29:10, 15, 19 Leviticus 1:4; Leviticus 3:2, 8, 13; Leviticus 4:4, 24, 29; 8:14; 16:21); in witness-bearing in capital offenses (Leviticus 24:14). The tribe of Levi was set apart by solemn imposition of hands (Numbers 8:10); Moses appointed Joshua to be his successor by a similar act (Numbers 27:18, 23 Deuteronomy 34:9). The idea in these cases varies with the purpose of the act. The primary idea seems to be that of conveyance or transference (compare Leviticus 16:21), but, conjoined with this, in certain instances, are the ideas of identification and of devotion to God.

In the New Testament Jesus laid hands on the little children (Matthew 19:13, 15 parallel Mark 10:16) and on the sick (Matthew 9:18 Mark 6:5, etc.), and the apostles laid hands on those whom they baptized that they might receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17, 19; Acts 19:6), and in healing (Acts 12:17). Specially the imposition of hands was used in the setting apart of persons to a particular office or work in the church. This is noticed as taking place in the appointment of the Seven (Acts 6:6), in the sending out of Barnabas and Saul (Acts 13:3), at the ordination of Timothy (1 Timothy 4:14 2 Timothy 1:6), but though not directly mentioned, it seems likely that it accompanied all acts of ordination of presbyters and deacons (compare 1 Timothy 5:22 Hebrews 6:2). The presbyters could hardly convey what they had not themselves received (1 Timothy 1:14). Here again the fundamental idea is communication. The act of laying on of hands was accompanied by prayer (Acts 6:6; Acts 8:15; Acts 13:3), and the blessing sought was imparted by God Himself. No ground is afforded by this symbolical action for a sacrament of "Orders."

See SACRIFICE; MINISTRY; ORDINATION.

James Orr

IMPOSITION OF HANDS

im-po-zish'-un.

See HANDS, IMPOSITION (LAYING ON) OF.

1936. epithesis -- a laying on, an assault
... assault, imposition. From epitithemi; an imposition (of hands officially) -- laying
(putting) on. see GREEK epitithemi. (epitheseos) -- 4 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1936.htm - 7k5183. Nachath -- quietness, rest
... From nchath; a descent, ie Imposition, unfavorable (punishment) or favorable (food);
also (intransitively; perhaps from nuwach), restfulness -- lighting down ...
/hebrew/5183.htm - 5k

5378. nasha -- to beguile, deceive
... A primitive root (perhaps identical with nasha', through the idea of imposition);
to lend on interest; by implication, to dun for debt -- X debt, exact, giver ...
/hebrew/5378.htm - 6k

Whether the Imposition of the Priest's Hands is Necessary for this ...
... OF THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE (TEN ARTICLES) Whether the imposition of the
priest's hands is necessary for this sacrament? Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the imposition of the.htm

Of the Imposition of the Bishop's Hand.
... The Epistle of Pope Urban First. VII. Of the imposition of the bishop's
hand. For all the faithful ought to receive the Holy Spirit ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/vii of the imposition of.htm

Of the Imposition of Hands. Types of the Deluge and the Dove.
... Chapter VIII."Of the Imposition of Hands. Types of the Deluge and the
Dove. In the next place the hand is laid on us, invoking ...
/.../tertullian/on baptism/chapter viii of the imposition of.htm

In what Manner, and from what Cause, the Functions of the ...
... Chapter XVI."In What Manner, and from What Cause, the Functions of the Presbyter,
Appointed to Preside over the Imposition of Penance, were abolished. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xvi in what manner and.htm

Whether the Character is Imprinted on a Priest when the Chalice is ...
... Now the Holy Ghost is given by the imposition of hands. Therefore the character
of order is given at the moment of the imposition of hands. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the character is imprinted.htm

Acts XIII
... together. The design of the ceremony of fasting, prayer, and imposition
of hands observed on this occasion is variously understood. ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xiii.htm

Whether those who had Been Baptized with John's Baptism had to be ...
... born of women a greater than John the Baptist." But those who were baptized by the
apostles were not baptized again, but only received the imposition of hands ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether those who had been.htm

Epistle Lxvii. To Quiricus, Bishop, &C.
... the name of the Trinity, when they return to holy Church, may be recalled to the
bosom of mother Church either by unction of chrism, or by imposition of hands ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle lxvii to quiricus bishop.htm

Concerning the Paulianists who have Flown for Refuge to the ...
... And we mean by deaconesses such as have assumed the habit, but who, since they have
no imposition of hands, are to be numbered only among the laity. Notes. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xix concerning the paulianists.htm

It is by all Means Proper that a Bishop Should be Appointed by all ...
... But they are not contradictory; for the Apostolical canon by ordination (cheirotonian)
means consecration and imposition of hands, but the present canon by ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon iv it is by.htm

Imposition (3 Occurrences)
... HANDS; HANDS, IMPOSITION, LAYING ON OF. ... Specially the imposition of hands was used
in the setting apart of persons to a particular office or work in the church. ...
/i/imposition.htm - 11k

Laying (87 Occurrences)
... HANDS; HANDS, IMPOSITION, LAYING ON OF. ... Specially the imposition of hands was used
in the setting apart of persons to a particular office or work in the church. ...
/l/laying.htm - 39k

Sponge (3 Occurrences)
... 12. (vt) Fig.: To deprive of something by imposition. 13. (vt) Fig.: To get by
imposition or mean arts without cost; as, to sponge a breakfast. 14. ...
/s/sponge.htm - 10k

Imposing (8 Occurrences)

/i/imposing.htm - 9k

Hands (998 Occurrences)
... HANDS; HANDS, IMPOSITION, LAYING ON OF. ... Specially the imposition of hands was used
in the setting apart of persons to a particular office or work in the church. ...
/h/hands.htm - 39k

Impossible (31 Occurrences)

/i/impossible.htm - 17k

Hand (14438 Occurrences)
... Timothy 4:14 2 Timothy 1:6); but it also designates the infliction of cruelty and
punishment (Genesis 37:22 Leviticus 24:14), the imposition of responsibility ...
/h/hand.htm - 27k

Negligent (7 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 4:14 Be not negligent of the gift that is in thee, which has been given
to thee through prophecy, with imposition of the hands of the elderhood. ...
/n/negligent.htm - 8k

Judaeus
... In the winter of 39-40 AD, he was spokesman of the deputation sent to Rome to protest
against imposition of emperor-worship upon fellow-citizens of his faith. ...
/j/judaeus.htm - 29k

Gouge (4 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) Imposition; cheat; fraud; also, an impostor; a cheat; a trickish
person. Multi-Version Concordance Gouge (4 Occurrences). ...
/g/gouge.htm - 8k

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