The Hands: Parts of, Mentioned: The Fingers
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In the biblical context, the fingers are often highlighted as significant parts of the human hand, symbolizing both physical and spiritual actions. The fingers are mentioned in various passages, illustrating their importance in the execution of tasks, the expression of divine power, and the manifestation of human creativity and skill.

Symbolism and Functionality

The fingers are frequently associated with skill and craftsmanship. In Exodus 31:18, the Bible describes the tablets of the covenant law as "inscribed by the finger of God," emphasizing divine authorship and authority. This phrase underscores the belief that God's direct involvement in the creation of the law is akin to a craftsman meticulously shaping his work.

In Psalm 8:3, the psalmist reflects on the majesty of God's creation, stating, "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place." Here, the fingers symbolize God's intricate and deliberate design in the universe, highlighting His omnipotence and attention to detail.

Divine Power and Judgment

The fingers also represent divine power and judgment. In the book of Daniel, during Belshazzar's feast, a mysterious hand appears and writes on the wall, "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN" (Daniel 5:25). This event, often referred to as "the writing on the wall," is a direct intervention by God, using the imagery of fingers to convey a message of impending judgment and the sovereignty of God over human affairs.

Human Actions and Expressions

In the New Testament, Jesus uses the imagery of fingers to illustrate spiritual truths. In Luke 11:20, Jesus says, "But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." This statement highlights the power of God working through Jesus to bring about the kingdom, using the metaphor of fingers to denote divine authority and action.

The fingers are also mentioned in the context of human actions and expressions. In Proverbs 6:13, a warning is given against a "worthless person" who "winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, and points with his fingers." This passage uses the fingers as part of a broader description of deceitful behavior, illustrating how physical gestures can reflect inner moral corruption.

Cultural and Ritual Significance

In ancient Israelite culture, the fingers played a role in various rituals and practices. The priests, for example, used their fingers in the application of blood during sacrificial ceremonies, as seen in Leviticus 4:6, where the priest is instructed to "dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle some of it seven times before the LORD in front of the veil of the sanctuary." This act symbolizes purification and atonement, with the fingers serving as instruments of sacred duty.

Overall, the biblical references to fingers encompass a wide range of meanings, from divine creation and judgment to human skill and moral conduct. The fingers, as part of the hand, are integral to the biblical narrative, serving as symbols of both God's interaction with the world and humanity's response to the divine.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
2 Samuel 21:20
And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 5:5
In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Having Mentioned the Baptist, St. ...
... Having mentioned the Baptist, St. ... unseemly movements thus to expose in nakedness
those parts of the ... be where there is dancing and noise and clapping of hands? ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vi having mentioned the.htm

Weak Hands and Feeble Knees
... I. And, now, first, we find in our text hands and knees mentioned. ... The hands and
knees, we must remember, are those parts of the body in which the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/weak hands and feeble knees.htm

Of the Excellence of the Perfect Man who is Figuratively Spoken of ...
... we see that the inner man consists of two parts, and if ... things on the right hand
which we have mentioned, and who ... man can use both hands as right hands, and in ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter x of the excellence.htm

Thanksgiving to God for Deliverance from the Evils Expected Owing ...
... and being unable to extend itself to the adjacent parts. ... I might also have mentioned
why our fingers are ... receive the royal purple with filthy hands, how shall ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xi thanksgiving to god.htm

Of the Mind and Its Seat.
... that the firm uniting of the separate parts of the ... of the lyre are by the hands;
whereas without ... [1921] Aristoxenus, whose opinion has been mentioned above. ...
/.../lactantius/on the workmanship of god/chap xvi of the mind and.htm

Acts 17:26 "One Blood. "
... been called into existence in different parts of the ... Gomorrah, Isaac, Jacob, Esau,
are all mentioned in the ... material blood which flowed from His hands and feet ...
/.../the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter vi acts 17 26 one.htm

The Morning-Meal in the Pharisee's House - Meals and Feasts among ...
... worthiest in the company washes his hands, and the ... 4275] according to another, three
parts, of water ... among which even preserved ginger from India is mentioned. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xii the morning-meal in.htm

Folly of the Arguments Derived by the Heretics from Numbers ...
... Each of our hands has five fingers; we have also five ... But our year is divided into
four parts, "namely, spring ... 3164] Only six branches are mentioned in Exodus ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxiv folly of the arguments.htm

High Priest
... and the fire, and to burn the parts of the ... priest, besides all duties and privileges
already mentioned as common ... torn by beasts; must wash his hands and feet ...
/.../conversion of a high priest into a christian worker/chapter iv high priest.htm

The Fifth Day in Passion-Week - Make Ready the Passover!'
... arrest by leaving his tunic in the hands of his ... as about threepence of our money
is mentioned for such ... worshippers from all countries and from all parts of the ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ix the fifth day.htm

Resources
Should we raise our hands/clap our hands during worship? | GotQuestions.org

Laying 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 ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Hands

Hands and Feet

The Hands of Power

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: God Makes Impotent

The Hands: God Strengthens

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 Jews Eat With

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

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The Hands: Operations of, Mentioned: Writing
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