Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, the act of spreading out one's hands in prayer is a significant gesture that symbolizes supplication, surrender, and a deep yearning for divine intervention. This physical expression is seen throughout the Scriptures and is deeply rooted in the cultural and religious practices of the ancient Near East.Old Testament Instances The practice of spreading out hands in prayer is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. One of the earliest references is found in the book of Exodus, where Moses, during the battle against the Amalekites, held up his hands as a sign of intercession and dependence on God. As long as his hands were raised, Israel prevailed (Exodus 17:11-12). In 1 Kings 8:22, during the dedication of the Temple, Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven. This act was a public demonstration of his earnest prayer for God's presence and blessing upon the newly built Temple. The Psalms also reflect this practice. In Psalm 28:2, David pleads, "Hear my cry for mercy when I call to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary." Here, the lifting of hands is associated with a cry for divine assistance and mercy. Prophetic Literature The prophets also mention the spreading of hands in prayer, often in contexts of repentance and seeking God's favor. Isaiah 1:15 highlights a situation where God refuses to listen to the prayers of the people because their hands are full of blood, indicating that the gesture alone is insufficient without genuine repentance and righteousness. In Lamentations 2:19, the prophet Jeremiah urges the people to "Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the watches; pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at the head of every street." This passage underscores the urgency and desperation in prayer, with the lifting of hands symbolizing a heartfelt plea for God's intervention. New Testament Context While the New Testament does not emphasize the physical act of spreading out hands as much as the Old Testament, it does acknowledge the posture of prayer. In 1 Timothy 2:8, Paul writes, "Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or dissension." This instruction highlights the importance of purity and unity in prayer, with the lifting of hands serving as an outward expression of an inward holiness and peace. Theological Significance The act of spreading out hands in prayer is more than a mere ritual; it is a profound expression of faith and dependence on God. It signifies an openness to receive from the Lord and a willingness to submit to His will. This gesture is a reminder of the believer's posture before God—one of humility, surrender, and earnest seeking. Throughout the Bible, the spreading of hands in prayer serves as a powerful symbol of the human-divine relationship, illustrating the believer's reliance on God's grace, mercy, and intervention in times of need. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 68:31Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands to God. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 1:15 Library Elijah --Passionate in Prayer Prayer and Character and Conduct The Forgiving Spirit in Prayer Intercessory Prayer The Inwardness of Prayer Moses --Making Haste Moses, the Mighty Intercessor Weak Hands and Feeble Knees A Sheaf of Prayer Arrows Prayer --The Forerunner of Mercy Resources When Jesus was nailed to the cross, did the nails go through His hands or His wrists? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” sermon? | GotQuestions.org Is “idle hands are the devil's workshop” a biblical statement? | GotQuestions.org Hands: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics The Hands of the Wicked, Described as Bloody The Hands of the Wicked, Described as Ensnaring to Themselves The Hands of the Wicked, Described as Mischievous The Hands of the Wicked, Described as Slothful The Hands of the Wicked, Described as Violent The Hands were Lifted up in Blessing The Hands were Lifted up in Praise The Hands were Lifted up in Prayer The Hands were Lifted up in Taking an Oath The Hands were Washed in Token of Innocency The Hands were Washed: After Touching an Unclean Person The Hands were Washed: Before Eating The Hands: (Cutting off) of Extreme Self-Denial The Hands: (Lifted up Against Another) of Rebellion The Hands: (Opened) Liberality The Hands: (Shut) Illiberality The Hands: Clapped Together in Joy The Hands: Criminals often: Bound By The Hands: Criminals often: Deprived of The Hands: Criminals often: Hung By The Hands: Criminals often: Mutilated In The Hands: Custom of Domestics Pouring Water Upon, Alluded To The Hands: Distinguished as The Left The Hands: Distinguished as The Right The Hands: Imposition of, a First Principle of the Doctrine of Christ The Hands: Imposition of, Used in Blessing The Hands: Imposition of, Used in Conferring Civil Power The Hands: Imposition of, Used in Imparting the Gifts of the Holy Spirit The Hands: Imposition of, Used in Ordaining Ministers The Hands: Imposition of, Used in Setting Apart the Levites The Hands: Imposition of, Used in Transferring Guilt of Sacrifices The Hands: Kissed in Idolatrous Worship The Hands: Many Alike Expert With Both The Hands: Many had More Command of the Left The Hands: Necessary Members of the Body The Hands: Often Spread out in Prayer The Hands: Operations of, Mentioned: Feeling The Hands: Operations of, Mentioned: Holding The Hands: Operations of, Mentioned: Making Signs The Hands: Operations of, Mentioned: Striking The Hands: Operations of, Mentioned: Taking The Hands: Operations of, Mentioned: Working The Hands: Operations of, Mentioned: Writing The Hands: Parts of, Mentioned: The Fingers The Hands: Parts of, Mentioned: The Palm The Hands: Parts of, Mentioned: The Thumb The Hands: Placed Under the Thigh of a Person to Whom an Oath Was Made The Hands: Right Hand of Strength and Power The Hands: Right Hand: (Full of Bribes) of Corruption The Hands: Right Hand: (Full of Falsehood) of Deceitfulness The Hands: Right Hand: (Holding By) of Support The Hands: Right Hand: (Standing At) Protection The Hands: Right Hand: (Withdrawn) Support Withheld The Hands: Saints Blessed in the Work of The Hands: Servants Directed by Movements of The Hands: should be Employed in Acts of Benevolence The Hands: should be Employed in God's Service The Hands: should be Employed: Industriously The Hands: Smitten Together in Extreme Anger The Hands: Stretched out in Derision The Hands: Suretiship Entered Into by Striking The Hands: The Jews Carried a Staff In, when Walking The Hands: The Right Hand of Healed Leper Touched With Blood of his Sacrifice The Hands: The Right Hand of Healed Leper Touched With Oil The Hands: The Right Hand of Priests Touched With Blood of Consecration-Ram The Hands: The Right Hand used in Embracing The Hands: The Right Hand: Given in Token of Friendship The Hands: The Right Hand: Place of Honor The Hands: The Right Hand: Place of Power The Hands: The Right Hand: Signet Worn On The Hands: The Right Hand: Sworn By The Hands: The Right Hand: The Accuser Stood At, of the Accused The Hands: The Wicked Recompensed for the Work of The Hands: Treaties Made by Joining Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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