The Hands of the Wicked, Described as Bloody
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The imagery of "bloody hands" in the Bible is a powerful metaphor used to describe the guilt and violence of the wicked. This expression is often employed to convey the moral and spiritual corruption that results from acts of violence, injustice, and sin. The concept is deeply rooted in the biblical understanding of sin and its consequences, emphasizing the severity of actions that lead to bloodshed and the divine judgment that follows.

Biblical References:

1. Isaiah 1:15 · "When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood."
In this passage, the prophet Isaiah conveys God's rejection of the prayers of those whose hands are stained with blood. The imagery of "bloody hands" signifies the people's involvement in acts of violence and injustice, rendering their worship and prayers unacceptable to God. This highlights the principle that true worship must be accompanied by righteousness and justice.

2. Isaiah 59:3 · "For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice."
Here, Isaiah again uses the metaphor of "bloody hands" to describe the pervasive sinfulness of the people. The passage links physical violence with other forms of moral corruption, such as deceit and injustice, illustrating the comprehensive nature of their wickedness.

3. Ezekiel 7:23 · "Forge the chain, for the land is full of crimes of bloodshed, and the city is full of violence."
Ezekiel speaks of a society overwhelmed by bloodshed and violence, where the hands of the wicked are actively engaged in acts that defile the land. The prophet's call to "forge the chain" symbolizes the impending judgment and captivity due to the people's persistent sin.

4. Psalm 26:9-10 · "Do not take my soul away with sinners, or my life with men of bloodshed, in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes."
The psalmist pleads for deliverance from the fate of the wicked, whose hands are not only involved in bloodshed but also in deceitful and corrupt practices. This prayer underscores the association between physical violence and broader moral depravity.

Theological Implications:

The depiction of "bloody hands" serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness with which God views sin, particularly acts of violence and injustice. It underscores the biblical principle that external religious observances are meaningless without a corresponding commitment to righteousness and justice. The imagery calls believers to examine their own lives, ensuring that their actions align with God's standards of holiness and integrity.

The concept also reflects the broader biblical theme of divine justice. Throughout Scripture, God is portrayed as a righteous judge who holds individuals and nations accountable for their actions. The metaphor of "bloody hands" is a vivid illustration of the inevitable consequences of sin, serving as both a warning and a call to repentance.

In summary, the biblical portrayal of the hands of the wicked as "bloody" is a powerful symbol of the moral and spiritual corruption that results from sin. It serves as a call to righteousness, justice, and sincere worship, reminding believers of the importance of aligning their actions with the will of God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Isaiah 1:15
And when you spread forth your hands, I will hide my eyes from you: yes, when you make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 59:3
For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue has muttered perverseness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Antichrist in the Psalms
... view earlier incidents are noted and his dealings with the Jews are described. ... the
Violent Man: Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the Wicked; preserve me ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/antichrist in the psalms .htm

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... Then in ver.25 sacrilege is described, and covered perjury ... They wash their hands,
as Pilate, as if they were free ... are set in authority, and when wicked men have ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

The Primitive Church.
... in the Tabernacle, and which Ezekiel had described so minutely ... Church; then the
destruction of the wicked world, under ... he used to hold out his hands in blessing ...
/.../yonge/the chosen people/lesson xxiv the primitive church.htm

The Age of the Apostles (Ad 33-100)
... last imprisoned again at Rome, where the wicked Emperor Nero ... the emperor, they showed
him their hands, which were ... he saw the visions which are described in his ...
/.../chapter i the age of.htm

Evans -- the Fall and Recovery of Man
... he pointed to a distant mountain as he described the father ... the law, to do them."
"Wo unto the wicked; it shall ... with him, for the reward of his hands shall be ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/evans the fall and.htm

The Death of Christ
... foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified ... body is thus
torn with agonies which can not be described. ... Nothing in my hands I bring,. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the death of christ.htm

Concerning John of Gischala. Concerning the Zealots and the High ...
... places, at the very time when their hands are still ... provoked against them by those
their wicked actions, whence ... on against those whom he had described in his ...
/.../chapter 3 concerning john of.htm

Conflict.
... the silencing of accusers, the putting wicked men to ... let the Church lift up their
drooping hands and sustain ... an example of the terrible doom described by the ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xiv conflict.htm

Chastisements.
... attitude is that of silent submission, while wicked men are ... city, which is practically
in the hands of Absalom and his tools, is described with bold ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/xiv chastisements.htm

"In the Volume of the Book it is Written of Me" (Heb. . .
... his brother Abel, Cain foreshadowed the wicked martyrdom of ... His history and character
are described at much greater ... met with a drastic end at the hands of God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in the volume of the.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

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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 of Power
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