Topical Encyclopedia In biblical literature, the right hand is frequently depicted as a symbol of power, authority, and honor. This imagery is deeply rooted in the cultural and historical contexts of the ancient Near East, where the right hand was often associated with strength and skill. The Bible, particularly in the Old and New Testaments, uses the concept of the right hand to convey divine favor and sovereign authority.Symbol of Divine Power and Protection The right hand of God is often portrayed as a source of divine power and protection. In Exodus 15:6, during the Song of Moses, the Israelites sing of God's deliverance from Egypt: "Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power; Your right hand, O LORD, has shattered the enemy." Here, the right hand signifies God's mighty intervention on behalf of His people, demonstrating His ability to save and protect. Similarly, in Psalm 118:16, the psalmist declares, "The right hand of the LORD is exalted! The right hand of the LORD performs with valor!" This verse emphasizes the right hand as a symbol of God's victorious strength and His active role in the lives of His followers. Place of Honor and Authority The right hand is also a place of honor and authority, particularly in the context of royal and divine enthronement. In 1 Kings 2:19, Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon, approaches her son, and he honors her by having her sit at his right hand: "So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah, and the king stood up to meet her, bowed down to her, and sat on his throne. He had a throne brought for the king’s mother, and she sat down at his right hand." This act signifies respect and the granting of a position of influence. In the New Testament, the right hand continues to hold significant theological importance. Jesus Christ is described as being seated at the right hand of God, a position of ultimate honor and authority. In Mark 16:19, it is written, "After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God." This imagery underscores Christ's exalted status and His role as the mediator between God and humanity. Judgment and Salvation The right hand is also associated with judgment and salvation. In Matthew 25:33-34, during the parable of the sheep and the goats, Jesus describes the final judgment: "He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.'" Here, those on the right hand are granted eternal life, symbolizing divine favor and acceptance. Conclusion Throughout the Bible, the right hand serves as a powerful symbol of God's strength, authority, and favor. It represents a place of honor, both in human and divine contexts, and is intricately linked with themes of protection, judgment, and salvation. The consistent use of this imagery underscores the cultural and theological significance of the right hand in biblical thought. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Kings 2:19Bathsheba therefore went to king Solomon, to speak to him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself to her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the king's mother; and she sat on his right hand. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 45:9 Library The Festival of Games, in Honor of Augustus, were About to Begin ... Arria and Her Mother Sat with the Emperor. ... The Never Changing One. Papal Tombs. Christ Exalted The Scriptures. The Lord's Prayer Christ Crucified A Son is Promised to Zechariah A Jealous God 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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