Hand

Hand (יָד,yd, the open palm; כִּŠ, kaph, the hollow of the partly-closed hand; Greek χείρ; יָמַין, yanin', the right hand, δεξιά; שׂמוֹל, semel', the left hand, ἀριστερά, εὐώνυμον), the principal organ of feeling, rightly denominated by Galen the instrument of instruments since this member is wonderfully adapted to the purposes for which it was designed, and serves to illustrate the wisdom and providence of the great Creator (The Hand, its Mechanism and vital Endowments, as evincing Design, by Sir Charles Bell). Considering the multiplex efficacy of the human hand, the control which it has given mail, the conquest over the external world which it has enabled him to achieve, and the pleasing and useful revolutions and improvements which it has brought about, we are not surprised to read the glowing eulogy in which Cicero (De Nat. Deor. 2, 60) has indulged on the subject, nor to find how important is the part which the hand performs in the records of divine revelation. The hand itself serves to distinguish man from other terrestrial beings. Of the two hands, the right has a preference derived from natural endowment. — See LEFTHANDED.

Hands are the symbols of human action; pure hands are pure actions; unjust hands are deeds of injustice; hands full of blood, actions stained with cruelty, and the alike (Ps 90:17; Job 9:30; 1Ti 2:8; Isa 1:15). Washing of the hands was the symbol of innocence (Ps 26:6; Ps 73:13). Of this Pilate furnishes an example (Mt 27:24). It was the custom of the Jews to wash their hands before and after meat (see Mr 7:3; Mt 6:2; Lu 11:38). Washing of hands was a symbol of expiation, as might be shown by numerous references; and of sanctification, as appears from several passages (1Co 6:11; Isa 1; Isa 16; Ps 24:3-4). See WASHING OF HANDS. Paul, in 1Ti 2:8, says, "I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands," etc. (see Job 11:13-14). The elevation or extension of the right hand was also the ancient method of voting in popular assemblies, as indicated by the Greek term χειροτονέω (Ac 14:23; 2Co 8:19). In Ps 77:2, for "sore," the margin of our version has "hand;" and the correct sense is, "My hands in the night were spread out, and ceased not." To smite the hands together over the head was a gesture of despairing grief (2Sa 13:19; Jer 2:37). The expression in Jer 2:37, "Thy hands upon thy head," may be explained by the act of Tamar in laying her hand on her head as a sign of her degradation and sorrow (2Sa 13:19). The expression "Though hand join in hand" in Pr 11:21, is simply "hand to hand," and signifies through all ages and generations, ever: "through all generations the wicked shall not go unpunished." To the right hand signified to the south, the southern quarter, as the left hand signified the north (Job 23:9; 1Sa 23:19; 2Sa 24:5). The term hand is sometimes used for a monument, a trophy of victory (1Sa 15:12); a sepulchral monument, "Absalom's Place," literally Absalom's Hand (2Sa 18:18; see Erdmann, Monunentum Absalomi, Helmst. 1740). So in Isa 56:5, "to them will I give a place within my walls — a monument (or portion) and a name" (Gesenius, Thesaur. Heb. p. 568).

To give the right hand was a pledge of fidelity, and was considered as confirming a promise or bargain (2Ki 10:15; Ezr 10:19); spoken of the vanquished giving their hands as a pledge of submission and fidelity to the victors (Eze 17:18; Jer 1; Jer 15; La 5:6); so to strike hands as a pledge of suretiship (Pr 17:18; Pr 22:26; 2Ch 30:8, margin). The right hand was lifted up in swearing or taking an oath (Ge 14:22; De 32:40; Eze 20:28; Ps 144:11; Isa 62:8); similar is the Arabic oath, "By the right hand of Allah." (See Taylor's Fragments, No. 278.)