Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, the hands are often depicted as instruments of action, communication, and divine intervention. One of the notable operations of the hands mentioned in Scripture is the making of signs. This act serves as a means of conveying messages, demonstrating authority, and confirming divine promises.Moses and the Signs in Egypt One of the most prominent examples of making signs with the hands is found in the account of Moses. When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, He equipped him with the ability to perform signs to validate his divine commission. In Exodus 4:2-4 , God instructs Moses: > "Then the LORD said to him, 'What is that in your hand?' 'A staff,' he replied. 'Throw it on the ground,' said the LORD. So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake, and he ran from it." This transformation of the staff into a serpent and back again was a sign intended to convince the Israelites and Pharaoh of God's power and Moses' authority as His chosen leader. Prophets and Symbolic Actions The prophets of Israel also used their hands to make signs, often through symbolic actions that conveyed God's messages to His people. For instance, in Ezekiel 4:1-3 , God commands the prophet Ezekiel to perform a series of symbolic acts: > "Now you, son of man, take a brick, place it before you, and draw on it the city of Jerusalem. Then lay siege against it, build a siege wall, erect a ramp, set up camps, and place battering rams all around it." These actions, performed with the hands, served as a visual prophecy of the impending siege and destruction of Jerusalem, communicating God's judgment in a tangible form. Jesus and the Use of Hands for Signs In the New Testament, Jesus Christ frequently used His hands to perform miraculous signs, demonstrating His divine authority and compassion. One such instance is found in Mark 7:32-35 : > "Some people brought to Him a man who was deaf and hardly able to speak, and they begged Jesus to place His hand on him. So He took him aside privately, away from the crowd, and put His fingers into the man’s ears. Then He spit and touched the man’s tongue. And looking up to heaven, He sighed deeply and said to him, 'Ephphatha!' (which means, 'Be opened!'). Immediately the man’s ears were opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak plainly." Here, Jesus' use of His hands in the healing process serves as a sign of His messianic identity and the inbreaking of God's kingdom. The Apostles and the Continuation of Signs Following the ascension of Christ, the apostles continued to use their hands to perform signs and wonders, affirming the truth of the Gospel and the presence of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 5:12 , it is recorded: > "The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people, and with one accord the believers gathered together in Solomon’s Colonnade." The hands of the apostles became instruments through which God's power was manifested, drawing many to faith in Jesus Christ. Throughout the biblical narrative, the making of signs with the hands is a recurring theme that underscores the hands' role as conduits of divine communication and power. Whether through the miraculous acts of Moses, the symbolic gestures of the prophets, the healing touch of Jesus, or the wonders performed by the apostles, the hands serve as a vital means by which God's presence and purposes are revealed to humanity. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 13:2Lift you up a banner on the high mountain, exalt the voice to them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles. Torrey's Topical Textbook Acts 12:17 Library Matt. viii. 23, 24 Vive Jesus. Preface. Visit to Cities in the North-West and to Kumaon --Visit to England ... Of the Five Sacraments, Falsely So Called. Their Spuriousness ... Of the Times of Christ's Birth and Passion, and of Jerusalem's ... Methodist Book Concern Acts iv. 36, 37 The Fourth vision "On Earth" The Comer's Conflict with Satan A Preface to the Reader. 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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