Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, the hands are often depicted as instruments of action, power, and purpose. One of the primary operations of the hands mentioned in Scripture is the act of holding. This action is rich with symbolic and practical significance, reflecting both divine and human interactions.Holding as a Symbol of Support and Protection The act of holding is frequently associated with support and protection. In Isaiah 41:13, God reassures His people of His unwavering support: "For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you.'" . Here, the imagery of God holding the hand of His people signifies His protective presence and guidance, offering comfort and assurance in times of fear and uncertainty. Holding as an Expression of Authority and Control Holding can also denote authority and control. In Revelation 1:16, the apostle John describes a vision of Christ: "In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest." . The act of holding the stars in His right hand symbolizes Christ's sovereign authority over the churches, represented by the stars, and His control over the cosmic order. Holding as a Gesture of Possession and Ownership The concept of holding is further illustrated in the context of possession and ownership. In Genesis 14:22-23, Abram declares to the king of Sodom, "I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will not accept even a thread, or a strap of a sandal, or anything that belongs to you, so that you can never say, 'I made Abram rich.'" . Here, the act of raising the hand in an oath signifies Abram's commitment to God and his refusal to hold or possess anything that might compromise his integrity or divine blessing. Holding as a Sign of Commitment and Covenant The act of holding is also emblematic of commitment and covenant. In the context of marriage, the hands are often used to symbolize the binding nature of the marital covenant. In Malachi 2:14, the prophet speaks of the covenant between a man and his wife, highlighting the faithfulness required in holding to one's vows: "Yet you ask, 'For what reason?' It is because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant." . Holding as a Means of Offering and Worship In worship, the hands are used to hold offerings presented to God. Leviticus 7:30 instructs, "With his own hands he is to bring the offerings made by fire to the LORD. He shall bring the fat together with the breast, and wave the breast as a wave offering before the LORD." . The act of holding and presenting offerings signifies devotion and reverence, acknowledging God's sovereignty and provision. Throughout Scripture, the operation of holding with the hands is imbued with deep spiritual and relational meaning. Whether symbolizing divine support, authority, possession, commitment, or worship, the act of holding reflects the multifaceted ways in which hands are used to interact with God and others in the biblical narrative. Torrey's Topical Textbook Judges 7:20And the three companies blew the trumpets, and broke the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow with: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon. Torrey's Topical Textbook Revelation 10:2 Library Introduction to Proverbs viii. 22 Continued. Contrast Between the ... Caput xv. Of the Prayer of Recollection which God Generally Gives the Soul ... From the Close of the General Conference of 1836 to the ... Question of the Contemplative Life General Conference of 1824 The Poor Debtor. The Catholic Apostolic Church (Called Irvingites. ) Difficulties and Objections Jews and Gentiles in "The Land" Resources Should we raise our hands/clap our hands during worship? | GotQuestions.orgLaying on of hands - what does the Bible say? | GotQuestions.org Why did Jesus say, “Into your hands I commit my spirit,” on the cross? | 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) |