Hands

HANDS. Laying on of Hands; a ceremony very much used both in the Old and New Testament. See IMPOSITION OF HANDS.

By HAND, is sometimes understood the vengeance of God exercised upon any one. The Hand of the Lord was heavy upon them of Ashdod, after they had taken the Ark; and they were told that it would still continue to oppress them, till they should send back the Ark with presents.

Dan. i. 20. עשר ידותHand is likewise used for times. Daniel and his Companions were ten Hands wiser than all the Magi and Diviners of the country.

2 Kings iii. 11.To pour water on any one’s HANDS, signifies to serve him. Thus Elisha is said to have poured water on Elijah’s Hands, thereby meaning that he was his servant.

To wash one’s HANDS. Pilate washed his Hands, to denote his being innocent of what was required of him, when he proceeded to condemn Jesus, in whom he Matth. xxvii. 24. Pf. lviii. 11. Pf. xxvi. 6, Job xxxi. 27.found nothing to deserve such a sentence. The Psalmist washes his Hands¹ in the blood of the ungodly. He approves the vengeance which God takes of their iniquity. The righteous washes his Hands with the innocent; he is in strict friendship with them.

To kiss one’s HAND, is an act of adoration: If I beheld the Sun when it shined, and my mouth hath kissed my Hand, says Job.

1 Kings xix. 18. Judg. xvii. 5, 12. VideLevit. & 1 Kings xiii. 33.To fill one’s HANDS, signifies to take possession of the Priesthood, to enter upon the enjoyment of any sacerdotal Dignity, to perform the functions of it; because in this ceremony, the parts of the victim which was to be offered, were put into the new Priest’s Hand.

2 Kings vii. 17.To lean upon any one’s HAND, is a mark of familiarity and superiority. The King of Israel had one of his confidents upon whom he leaned; and in like manner the King of Syria leaned on Naaman when 2 Kings v. 18.he went up to the Temple of his God Rimmon.

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