Biblical Meaning of Hands
Eyes of the windows of our soul, our words our containers of power but hands produce fruit, good or bad. God and even humans use hands to create, bless and heal. On the other hand, hands can destroy. Have you ever thought of what is the Biblical meaning of hands? Let’s find out what the Bible says.
Also finding the Biblical meaning of hands will help you interpret your dreams where hands appear in.
The Biblical Meaning of Hands
Ever wonder how many times hands are mentioned in the Bible? The word hands appear 1,293 times, in the Kings James Version. That’s a lot!
The Biblical meaning of hands can represent many things such as authority, power, blessing, worship, healing, the works of the flesh, giving, laying of hands and much more. There is the hand of God and the human hand.
Also, the Biblical meaning of hands is complex, therefore, one has to look at it from both the Biblical and spiritual perspective along with context. We will explore the symbolism of hands in the Bible, starting with the right hand.
The Biblical Meaning of Right Hand
1) Protection
Typically one would wield a weapon in the right hand therefore if you sat on someone’s right you’d be more protected.
Throughout the Bible God protects us with his right hand, fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand Isaiah 41:10.
2) Trust
Most people are right handed and therefore hold a weapon in that hand. When we place our right hand in the Lord’s, we are putting down our “weapons” and trusting God to protect us.
I hold you by your right hand — I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. Isaiah 41:13.
Picture this: God is protecting us with His mighty right hand, and His left hand is squeezing our right hand.
Related: God placing a hedge of protection around us.
3) Honor
Sitting at someone’s right hand is also considered an honor and making you an equal to that person.
He (Jesus) was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. Mark 16:19
4 ) Powerful
The Lord raises His right arm to shatter our enemies, the Lords right hand is powerful and protecting us at the same time!
Your right hand, O LORD, is glorious in power. Your right hand, O LORD, smashes the enemy. Exodus 15:6.
The strong right arm of the LORD is raised in triumph.
The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things! Psalm 118:1.
5) Creative
God stretched Forth His hand and made the heavens and earth
“My hand laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens,” Isaiah 48:13
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place. Psalm 8:3
Just think, God’s word states He is holding you by his right hand, the same hand that formed the universe!
God’s right-hand symbolism creating, protection, power, honor, obedience, and even joy. Remember, God’s formed us in His image, and are hands can be used to for God’s glory.
Bible meaning of Left Hand
The idea of a left-hand representing evil comes from passages like Matthew 24:33-46. In these verses, Jesus tells his disciples that the sheep (righteous people) will be on the right side of Jesus and the goats (wicked people) will be on Jesus’ left side. The sheep will live in God’s kingdom forever and goats will go with the devil.
That’s why the left has bad connotations, but there are left-handed warriors in the Bible from the tribe of Benjamin.
Among Benjamin’s elite troops, 700 were left-handed, and each of them could sling a rock and hit a target within a hairsbreadth without missing. Judges 20:16.
The tribe of Benjamin also can use their bow in either their right or left hand, giving them an edge in battle.
What is the symbolic meaning of hands?
Typically, the left represents the spiritual realm, and the right represents the physical or material. If you see a hand in your dream or vision, remember whether it’s the right or left, note what is the hand doing. All this is helpful for interpretation your dreams. Below are Biblical meaning of hands and scripture provided.
Biblical Meaning of Laying on Hands
Why are the hands so important? Because our hands can be instruments of power, serve others an bless other.
1 ) Enhancing Spiritual Gifts
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 2 Timothy 1:6
2) Healing
Paul went to him, and praying and laying his hands on him, he healed him. Acts 28:8
And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul. Acts 19:11
3) Laying on Hands and Receiving the Holy Spirit
Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:17
4) Receiving Speaking in Tongues & Prophecy
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. Acts 19:6
5) Before Sending, People on Missions
Then, after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them and sent them off. Acts 13:3
Warning, be careful who you let prayer over you and lay their hands on your shoulders or touch your hand. For example, I had someone pray over me and later I found out they weren’t the most Godly person and I felt something dark enter my life and I had to have it prayed off. So from that moment on I use discernment on who I let prayer over me. And you should too.
“Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.” 1 Timothy 5:22.
Biblical Meaning of Lifting Hands
The lifting of hands is mentioned a hundred times in the Bible. Why? Because lifting our hands is like an antenna reaching, trying to tune into God’s frequency. But what does the God say about lifting hands?
1) Lifting Hands in Surrendering to God
Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven. Lamentations 3:41.
The Hebrews surrendered to God, and asked God to forgive their wrongs. Even though God forgives our sins, past present and future, sometimes we have to humble ourselves and confess our sins to make us feel better.
2) Lift Your Hands to Bless
When I was a new Christian, I heard someone say, bless the Lord and raised their hands. Why would humans bless the Lord? I realized we lift our hands to honor and worship Him.
So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. Psalm 63:4.
And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. Nehemiah 8:6.
Jesus, now our high priest, lifted his hands and blessed the disciples before he ascended to God.
Then Aaron (the high priest )lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them. Leviticus 9:22
Priest can lift their hands and bless people, but we are called to be priest as well!
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood… 1 Peter 2:9
You see my point, we can lift our hands and bless others, of course use discernment, people might think your peculiar.
But wait, God’s got that covered too. He even calls us peculiar people He has picked out himself. Deuteronomy 14:2.
3) Raising hands in Worship Scripture
The act of raising your hands in worship is typically considered a sign of reverence for God. When I get lost in worship music, I can’t help raising my hands even if I’m jogging. I’m sure I’ve gotten sideway looks, but I can’t help myself.
In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy. 1 Timothy 2:8
4) Lifting Hands in Prayer
Instead of going through the motions by lifting your hands, you are praying to God with your body and mind. Also, praying this way can be an act of sacrifice, especially when your life is difficult and you ‘re crying for God’s intervention.
Listen to my prayer for mercy as I cry out to you for help, as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary. Psalm 28:2.
Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice! Psalm 141:2.
Rise in the night and cry to your God. Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord; lift up your hands to him; plead for your children as they faint with hunger in the streets. Lamentations 2:19
Lifting Hands is a weapon!
Moses lifted his hands in intercessory prayer during a battle between the Hebrew and Amalekites.
Every time Now when Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and when he lowered his hand [due to fatigue], Amalek prevailed. Exodus 17:11
An excellent reminder, when you are up against the enemy, lift your hands in prayer, worship, thanksgiving, reverence, and you are bound to be victorious in your spiritual battles.
Below are additional Biblical meaning of hands.
Biblical Meaning of Handshake
Handshakes in the Bible were not used for greetings but for pledges. Handshakes in Bible times were often used for making a deal or fulfilling a promise.
“If you have struck hands in pledge with a stranger,” Proverbs 6:1 Or A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, And becomes surety for his friend. Proverbs 17:18
Shaking hands in the Bible were for vows, pledges and official occasions, like when King Jehu shook King Shalmaneser’s hand.
Biblical meaning of washing hands
Washing of hands means innocence.
I will wash my hands in innocence, And I will go around Your altar, LORD. Psalm 26:6
In Matthew 27:24, Pilate asked for a bowl of water and washed his hands and claimed he was innocent in the part he played at Jesus’ crucifixion.
Biblical meaning of hands, working
God wants us to use our hands. Even Adam was expected to work in the garden of Eden. (Genesis 2:15)
God will bless what is in your hands scripture is below, for whatever your work happens to be!
Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us; establish for us the work of our hands — establish the work of our hands! Psalms 90:17
God blessed what Moses had in his hand, the staff. The widow’s only had only one bottle of oil in her home. Yet, God supernaturally increased the oil through Elisha and additional jars provided by the widow’s neighbors.
Biblical meaning of idle hands in scripture
God wants us are hands to be productive. The following verses about idle hands helps me get out of bed when I want to go back to sleep!
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. Proverbs 6:10
Fools fold their idle hands, leading them to ruin. Ecclesiastes 4:5
Biblical meaning of itchy hands
The Bible doesn’t mention anything about itchy hands, which is traditionally thought of as you will receive money. But the Bible does mention itchy ears.
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions. 2 Tim. 4:3
Prayer
In the name of Jesus, Lord, help my hands be productive. Let my hands be an instrument of healing for your Glory, and kindness. In addition, I pray that Your hand of favor and blessing will be on my life. And You will always have me in your right hand. Amen.
Final Thoughts
Biblical meaning of hands, hands are integral to the work God has ordained us to do, whether evangelism, missions, or blessing your family or community. God will guide us on how to best to use our hands for His Kingdom, His glory!
Remember, if you see hands in your dreams and look for the varied Biblical meaning of hands, it will help you gain insight.
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