IMPOSITION OF HANDS. Imposition of hands is understood in different ways both in the Old and New Testament. 1. It is often taken for ordination and the consecration of Priests, and sacred Ministers, xiii. 3.as well among the Jews as Christians.
- It is sometimes also made use of to signify the establishment of Judges and Magistrates, on whom it was usual to lay hands, when they were intrusted with these employments. Jacob laid his hands on Chronic.Ephrain and Manasseh, when he gave them his last blessing.
The high Priest stretched out his hands to the people, as often as he recited the solemn form of blessing. The Israelites who presented sin-offerings at the Tabernacle, confessed their sins, while they laid their hands upon them. Witnesses laid Ex.xxix. 19. Dan. xiii. 34.their hands upon the head of the accused person, as it were to signify that they charged upon him the guilt of his Blood, and freed Mark x. 16. Acts viii. 17. xix. 6.themselves from it. Our Saviour laid his hands upon the Children that were presented to him, and blessed them. We find imposition of hands to be made use of likewise in confirmation. The Apostles confer’d the Holy Ghost on those who were baptized, by laying their hands upon them.
The Israelites put their hands upon the Levites, when they offered them to the Lord, in order to be consecrated to his service, Lev. viii. 10, 12.