The term "wrists" refers to the joint connecting the hand with the forearm. In biblical times, the wrist was not always distinctly mentioned as it is in modern anatomy, but it played a significant role in various cultural and religious practices. The wrist is often associated with strength, action, and the execution of tasks, as it is a crucial part of the body for manual labor and the wielding of tools or weapons.

Biblical References:

1. Binding and Captivity:
The wrists are often mentioned in the context of binding or captivity. In Acts 12:6-7 , we read about Peter being bound with chains: "On the night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, with sentries standing guard at the entrance to the prison. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. 'Quick, get up!' he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists."

2. Symbol of Bondage:
The wrists, when bound, symbolize bondage and oppression. In Jeremiah 40:4 , the prophet is released from his chains: "But today I am freeing you from the chains on your wrists. Come with me to Babylon if you like, and I will look after you. But if you do not want to, then don’t come. Look, the whole country lies before you; go wherever you please."

3. Covenantal and Ritual Significance:
While not directly mentioning wrists, the Bible often refers to the hands and arms in the context of covenants and rituals. The binding of phylacteries, or tefillin, on the arm (traditionally near the wrist) is a practice rooted in Deuteronomy 6:8 : "Tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads."

4. Crucifixion:
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ, while not explicitly mentioning the wrists, involves the nailing of hands, which historically and anatomically could include the wrist area. This act is central to Christian theology, symbolizing the sacrifice of Christ for the redemption of humanity. John 20:25 records Thomas's doubt and subsequent belief: "So the other disciples told him, 'We have seen the Lord.' But he replied, 'Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.'"

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the wrist was often adorned with bracelets, which could signify wealth, status, or religious devotion. The adornment of wrists is mentioned in Ezekiel 16:11-12 , where God describes His adornment of Jerusalem: "I adorned you with jewelry, and I put bracelets on your wrists and a chain around your neck. I put a ring in your nose, earrings on your ears, and a beautiful crown upon your head."

Theological Implications:

The wrists, as part of the hands, are often seen as instruments of action and service. In the New Testament, the laying on of hands, which involves the wrists, is a significant act for blessing, healing, and ordination. This practice underscores the importance of physical touch in conveying spiritual authority and grace.

In summary, while the Bible does not frequently mention wrists explicitly, their role in binding, adornment, and action is implicit in many passages. The wrists, as part of the hands, are integral to the biblical narrative of human interaction, divine intervention, and covenantal relationships.3027. yad -- hand
... 1), support* (1), swore* (12), sworn* (4), tenons (6), through (60), times (2),
undertake* (2), undertakings* (3), what he deserves* (1), wrists (3), wrists* (1 ...
/hebrew/3027.htm - 8k

679. atstsil -- a joining, joint
... Word Origin from the same as etsel Definition a joining, joint NASB Word Usage
armpits* (1), long (1), wrists* (1). joint of the hand. ...
/hebrew/679.htm - 6k

Delivered from Prison
... Mechanically he obeys the word spoken to him, and as in rising he lifts his hands
he is dimly conscious that the chains have fallen from his wrists. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 15 delivered from prison.htm

Saint Maura. AD 304
... limbs, came on me at your smile, And kept me happy, when they dragged me back From
that last kiss, and spread me on the cross, And bound my wrists and ankles ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/saint maura a d 304.htm

The Exodus
... Our wrists must be made to smart by the fetters of our iniquity, and our backs must
be made to bleed by the lash of the law"the taskmaster which drives us to ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the exodus.htm

Crucifixion of the Thieves.
... The executioners then bound the arms of the thieves to the cross, with cords made
of the bark of trees, and fastened their wrists, elbows, knees, and feet in ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xl crucifixion of the.htm

Jesus Hanging on the Cross Between Two Thieves.
... His chest was torn with stripes and wounds, and his elbows, wrists, and shoulders
so violently distended as to be almost dislocated; blood constantly trickled ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xli jesus hanging on.htm

The Angel's Touch
... It could do nothing to the Apostle but cause his chains to drop from his wrists,
nor anything to the vainglorious king but bring loathsome death. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the angels touch.htm

O Gift that Camest up Without Price with the Diver!
... for thee: their tongues before their bosoms did the poor [fishers] open, and produced
and showed the new riches among the merchants: upon the wrists of men ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn v o gift that.htm

Jesus Tells what it Means to be Clean
... scribes thought necessary. For the Pharisees and all the Jews always wash
their hands up to the wrists before eating. So the Pharisees ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jesus tells what it means.htm

Canon Ci. The Great and Divine Apostle Paul with Loud Voice Calls ...
... When thou goest to receive communion go not with thy wrists extended, nor with thy
fingers separated, but placing thy left hand as a throne for thy right ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon ci the great and.htm

Paul's Desire to Depart
... The sergeant-at-arms in the name of the justice which has been incensed, puts the
fetters about his wrists, and conducts him to the prison-house of despair and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/pauls desire to depart.htm

Wrists (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Wrists (5 Occurrences). Acts 12:7 Suddenly an
angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the ...
/w/wrists.htm - 8k

Writ (3 Occurrences)

/w/writ.htm - 7k

Wrist (3 Occurrences)

/w/wrist.htm - 7k

Ring (33 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Used as an ornament to decorate the fingers,
arms, wrists, and also the ears and the nose. Rings were ...
/r/ring.htm - 24k

Dropped (52 Occurrences)
... stood by him, and a light shone in the cell; and, striking Peter on the side, he
woke him and said, "Rise quickly." Instantly the chains dropped off his wrists...
/d/dropped.htm - 22k

Buck (23 Occurrences)
... 11. (vt) To subject to a mode of punishment which consists in tying the wrists together,
passing the arms over the bent knees, and putting a stick across the ...
/b/buck.htm - 13k

Armhole
... tempt the simple. The "pillows" were probably "amulets" supposed to have
magical virtues, and worn on the arms or wrists. WW Davies. ...
/a/armhole.htm - 7k

Suddenly (87 Occurrences)
... stood by him, and a light shone in the cell; and, striking Peter on the side, he
woke him and said, "Rise quickly." Instantly the chains dropped off his wrists...
/s/suddenly.htm - 32k

Striking (25 Occurrences)
... stood by him, and a light shone in the cell; and, striking Peter on the side, he
woke him and said, "Rise quickly." Instantly the chains dropped off his wrists...
/s/striking.htm - 14k

Instantly (39 Occurrences)
... stood by him, and a light shone in the cell; and, striking Peter on the side, he
woke him and said, "Rise quickly." Instantly the chains dropped off his wrists...
/i/instantly.htm - 18k

When Jesus was nailed to the cross, did the nails go through His hands or His wrists? | GotQuestions.org

What is the history of crucifixion? What was crucifixion like? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that angels are ministering spirits (Hebrews 1:14)? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus