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Have you ever wondered about the spiritual meaning of hands in the Bible? Our eyes may be windows to our souls, but it’s through our actions – with these invaluable tools on the ends of our arms – that we both build and destroy. From God providing blessings and healing to humans creating beauty or malicious intent, there is much meaning behind this symbol throughout scripture. So let’s uncover their power as we explore what exactly Hands mean Biblically.
Hands. We use them in nearly everything we do. We use them to wash dishes and write words. We clap and show appreciation.
God created our hands to do things and work to advance the Kingdom. God apparently thinks hands are important as the word – hand – appears 1466 times in the Bible, and the plural word- hands – appears 462 times.
Bible News write about the symbolic meaning of human hands ” God made the hands and placed His stamp of approval upon them. He gave each hand a unique identity. No two sets of fingerprints are the same. But do the fingerprints reveal anything other than strange patterns? Each hand has five fingers, the number for grace. Four fingers are weak, but the addition of the thumb provides strength, which is an illustration of grace, just as the Lord rules over the four seasons.
The Spiritual Meaning of Hands in the Bible
The Bible mentions hands in many contexts, but understanding their symbolism can open a whole new window into God’s will. These symbolic interpretations range from authority and power to worship; even the laying of human hands is meant as an outward expression of His work. It’s incredible how much meaning our Creator put into something as simple yet powerful as the hand.
Our hands are much more than two limbs for us to use to interact with the world; in Scripture, they also symbolize something more profound. We’ll dive into this symbolism by exploring what the Bible says about both our right and left hand from a spiritual as well as contextual point of view.
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Physical Use of Hands in the Bible
With two hands, there are ten fingers, the number for the Laws of Establishment. There are ten commandments in the Decalogue. The hands are used for manual labor. The fingers are used for writing, pointing, feeling, and touching.
So how are our hands used for God? Where do we find our hands in the Bible?
To do God’s will.
What is God’s will for you? Well, that is a post for another day, but we know His will for us includes ministering to others. How do you use your hands to do His will? Here are a few ideas that don’t require you to go far from home or your home church:
- Serve as an usher or greeter
- Get involved in an area of service or ministry
- Volunteer for Sunday school or other youth ministries
- Participate in a Bible study
- Join the worship team
- Go on a mission trip
- Help in a local mission project
- Share your faith with someone you know that does not know Jesus
- Invite someone to come to church with you
- Deliver a meal to someone in need or assist a single mother with a home project
- What other ideas do you have to use your hands to serve others?
- To raise them in praise of Our Father
You may raise your hands in praise to God at church or, at least, see others doing it. Raising hands in the church is a biblically-sanctioned form of prayer and praise. Lifting hands is a way of reaching up to God to exalt Him or seek Him.
In Isaiah 19:16, we see the strength of God’s hand.
“In that day the Egyptians will be like women, and tremble with fear before the hand that the Lord of hosts shakes over them.”
Isaiah 19:16 (ESV)
The enemy retreats in fear because of an upraised hand of the Lord. So, if the enemy flees in fear beneath the upraised hand of the Lord, then he has to cower beneath our upraised hand because we praise Jesus Christ!
To love one another and To give to those in need
Using our hands to give to those in need includes both physical needs (coats, food, shelter), financial (through tithing and supporting ministries), and spiritual (sharing the Gospel). We may think we have nothing to give, but we all have something to offer.
And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
Mark 12:41-44 (ESV)
If you have a roof over your head and a loaf of bread in your pantry, that is more than many have – even in your community. So give of yourself, your time, and your money, and God will know your heart.
She opens her hand to the poor
Proverbs 31:20 (ESV)
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
To demonstrate love for our husband and family
Using your hands to serve others and give to those in need is very important and included many times in God’s instructions for us, but what about in our own homes? Proverbs 31 verses 13-19 show us several ways that the woman of noble character uses her hands to serve and demonstrate love for her husband and family:
She seeks wool and flax,
Proverbs 31:13-19 (ESV) (italics mine)
and works with willing hands.
She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
and in
The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
1 Corinthians 7:3-5 (ESV)
While this verse does not explicitly mention hands, physical intimacy includes holding hands and other intimate acts with our spouse involving hands. We find many references to hands in the Bible that relate to serving our husbands and families.
To communicate
Of course, the blind use their hands to read Braille, and the deaf use their hands for sign language, but all of us use our hands to communicate. For example, we use our hands to type on a keyboard or write a check for tithing. Likewise, when we give a high-five or clap, we communicate with our hands.
We use them to rub our husband’s backs to show them how much we love them. We use them to raise them high in praise to Our Father. Of course, hands can be used for negative communication, as well. Rude hand gestures or striking someone when angry. God designed hands to help us communicate with those around us.
To Hold onto Things
When God wonderfully created us, he created our hands to hold things: tools, writing implements, food, and other hands. When children are small, they like to say “mine” and not share the toy, food, or whatever is in their hands. As adults, we tend to do this, too. We are to use what God has placed in our hands for His glory.
What He places in our hands is whatever is in our care or control. This could be money, possessions, influence, talents, abilities, and more. What you withhold and won’t let go of reveals what is in your heart. What is it that you won’t let go of? When we allow ourselves to release what we hold onto, we can see God use those things for His glory. Is it money or possessions? Are you hesitant to give more to God or those in need?
God uses our hands for us to carry out His will.
Hands in the Bible include both our hands and the hands of Jesus. So let’s look at mentions of Jesus’ hands in the Bible.
Jesus’ Hands in the Bible
We find references to Jesus’ hands in many verses in the Bible. We know that Jesus was a carpenter. He must have had rough hands. When he left Nazareth and his carpentry job, He continued to use his hands and certainly understood the importance of using them placed on Him by His Father. Many stories show how Jesus used his hands in the Bible to teach this.
Consider the blind man at Bethsaida. Jesus took him by the hand and brought him to a quiet and still place; Then, he spat on the man’s eyes and put his hands on them, and he could see.
Or the man with leprosy who asked to be healed. Jesus reached out to touch him, and he was healed.
There are many stories of Jesus reaching out, holding, and touching others during his healing ministry.
Apart from healing, there were many occasions when Jesus used his hands. For example, when Peter got out of a boat on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. Likewise, when parents brought their children to Jesus, he placed his hands on them.
When eating with friends, Jesus has his hands in a gesture of thanksgiving, broken bread, and shared it. Not just at the Last Supper, but we read that he did the same when he fed the crowd of 5,000. We also note using his hands when he appeared as a stranger on the road to Emmaus. When they sat down for a meal, they recognized the stranger as Jesus.
Jesus used his hand to show his love and servanthood, as well. For example, when Jesus knelt and washed the disciple’s feet. Such an intimate, personal and loving demonstration of His love.
Yes, Jesus had been a carpenter with rough hands, but oh, how He used them to bless, comfort, heal and serve others!
Of course, we also know that those hands were cruelly nailed to the cross on Good Friday. On the third day, He arose from the dead and ascended into heaven.
The Spiritual Meaning of the Right Hand in the Bible
1) For Protection
Sitting on somebody’s right side was seen as a way of gaining an edge in battle since it gave you the protection of their weapon arm!
Throughout the Bible, God protects us with his right hand.
fear not, for I am with you;
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
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.
2) To Demonstrate Trust
By nature, most people are right-handed and use their right hand for many things – including holding a weapon. But when it comes to trusting God’s protection and strength, may we put down all of those weapons, kneel before the Almighty, and lay our dominant hand in His capable hands, knowing He will keep us safe from harm.
For I, the Lord your God,
Isaiah 41:13 (ESV)
hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, “Fear not,
I am the one who helps you.”
With one arm, God is standing guard over us with His power and protection. With the other, He’s warmly holding our hand in support as we walk together through this journey of life.
3) To Demonstrate Honor
Being asked to sit at someone’s right hand signifies great respect and equality. It shows that you are held in the highest regard, setting you apart as an honored companion!
So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.
Mark 16:19 (ESV)
4 ) To Illustrate Power
The Lord is mighty, effortlessly crushing our enemies with a single wave of His right arm while we are safeguarded in his protective embrace.
Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power,
Exodus 15:6 (ESV)
your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy.
The strong right arm of the LORD is raised in triumph.
the right hand of the Lord exalts,
Psalm 118:16 (ESV)
the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!”
5) To be Creative
God raised His mighty hand and created a beautiful universe full of wonders.
“My hand laid the foundation of the earth,
Isaiah 48:13 (ESV)
and my right hand spread out the heavens;
when I call to them,
they stand forth together.”
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
Psalm 8:3 (ESV)
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place.
When you think about it, how amazing is the fact that God – who handcrafted our universe and all its wonders – also holds us in His right hand?
People’s hands symbolize God’s creativity, protection, compassion, and joy. And as we were created in His image, our own hands are vessels for us to use to bring Him glory.
Bible meaning of Left Hand
Jesus’ teachings have long suggested that the left hand is associated with wickedness, as He indicated in Matthew 24:33-46. According to His parable, one side of those who follow Him would be like sheep – filled with righteousness and joyfully accepted into God’s eternal kingdom. The other group was likened to goats; they willingly chose a life apart from God and were ultimately destined for damnation alongside their leader – the Devil.
The term ‘left’ often has negative associations, but there’s a long history of left-handed warriors in the Bible – particularly from Benjaminite lineage.
Among all these were 700 chosen men who were left-handed; everyone could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.
Judges 20:16 (ESV)
The tribe of Benjamin possessed a unique advantage when engaging in battle – they could shoot their bows using either hand, making them more agile and fierce warriors.
What is the spiritual meaning of hands in the Bible?
When dreaming or envisioning hands, the left can often signify spiritual matters and the right physical ones. So pay special attention to what each hand is doing – it might be trying to tell you something important!
Biblical Meaning of Laying on Hands
Our hands are capable of incredible things – they can be used to lift up, serve and bless the world around us. With them, we wield tremendous power.
1 ) Improving Your 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 (ESV)
2) For Healing
It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him.
Acts 28:8 (ESV)
And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul,
Acts 19:11 (ESV)
3) Laying Hands on Others
Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:17 (ESV)
4) For 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
And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
Acts 13:3 (ESV)
With the incredible power of prayer comes the need for discernment. Before allowing a person to pray over you, take some time to consider their spiritual character and intentions – otherwise, dark influences may enter your life that requires even more powerful prayers just to remove them! Exercise caution in this practice so it can genuinely foster growth instead of a hindrance.
“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 (ESV)
Spiritual Meaning of Lifting Hands in the Bible
Our hands are our connection to God, so it’s like an antenna trying to pick up the divine frequency when we lift them up. It makes sense then why Scripture would mention lifting one’s hands so often (over 100 times!) – but what exactly is it that God wants to tell us about this gesture? Let’s go to scripture to learn more.
1) Surrendering to God
Let us lift up our hearts and hands
Lamentations 3:41 (ESV)
to God in heaven:
The Hebrews knew just how powerful God’s forgiveness was and had the humility to recognize their wrongdoings. Even though we can rely on His infinite grace no matter our situation, confessing our sins still comforts us, knowing that He genuinely listens and cares for us.
2) Lift Your Hands to Bless the Lord
As a new Christian, I wondered why we raise our hands to bless the Lord. It seemed strange at first, but then I understood: we honor Him unreservedly by lifting our hands in worship and adoration.
So I will bless you as long as I live;
Psalm 63:4 (ESV)
in your name I will lift up my hands.
And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
Nehemiah 8:6 (ESV)
Jesus graciously blessed his disciples before he was taken up to Heaven. Then, with hands lifted high, the beloved High Priest said farewell and offered a divine blessing for them all.
Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and he came down from offering the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings.
Leviticus 9:22 (ESV)
As members of God’s family, we each have the incredible privilege and responsibility to serve as His priests. We can use our hands – not only in prayer – but also by taking action that blesses others.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
3) Raising Hands in Worship
In moments of worship, I just can’t keep my hands and arms still. It’s like a reflex- as soon as the music starts, no matter what I’m doing, there they go. People might think it looks odd when I’m driving or vacuuming, and my arms are joyfully raised to the sky, but that doesn’t stop me from honoring God in this way because raising our hands is one powerful expression of reverence.
I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;
1 Timothy 2:8 (ESV)
4) Lifting Hands in Prayer
When life is tough, prayer can be an act of offering to God. Rather than merely lifting your hands in a ritualistic way, use praying to connect with Him through both the body and mind: crying out for His help.
Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy,
Psalm 28:2 (ESV)
when I cry to you for help,
when I lift up my hands
toward your most holy sanctuary.
Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
Psalm 141:2 (ESV)
and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!
“Arise, cry out in the night,
Lamentations 2:19 (ESV)
at the beginning of the night watches!
Pour out your heart like water
before the presence of the Lord!
Lift your hands to him
for the lives of your children,
who faint for hunger
at the head of every street.”
Lifting Hands is a Weapon
Moses bravely led the charge against the Amalekites by holding up his hands in prayerful supplication – a gesture of strength and hope that ultimately secured victory for the Hebrews.
Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.
Exodus 17:11 (ESV)
When life throws obstacles, don’t forget to turn to God. Through prayer and reverent worship, you can conquer any spiritual battle that comes your way.
There are many different symbolisms of hands in the Bible. From the physical uses of hands to the spiritual meaning of left and right-handedness, each instance lends a deeper understanding of God’s character. Perhaps one of the most fascinating examples is that of laying on of hands. This act can be seen throughout scripture as a way to transfer power, heal sickness, or bestow a blessing. As you read through the Bible, keep an eye out for instances of people using their hands. What other spiritual meanings do you see in scripture?
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ESV – “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
