Significance of Hands in the Bible

An instrument of use and service to ourselves, others, and God, our hands are some of the more important members of the body. The Scriptures refer to hands numerous times – our physical hands, the spiritual connotation of hands, and the hand of God, meaning His work among humans. (See Job 2:10; Jeremiah 1:9; Acts 11:21; Revelation 1:16-20.)

Scriptural references to the right hand of God do not indicate location, but speak of a place of favor, authority, relationship, and power. (See Psalm 16:11; 110:1; 118:15-16; 138:7; Luke 22:69; Hebrews 8:1; 9:24; 10:12; 12:2; 1 Peter 3:22.) The laying on of hands as a fundamental doctrine represents the spiritual work of impartation, conferral, transfer, conveyance, transmission, and confirmation.

Divine impartations are not executed at the will and whim of humans. The one laying on hands and the one on who hands are laid must be in harmony, full of faith, and in accordance with God’s will and Word before they can obtain the desired results. God acts sovereignly and independently of the act of laying on of hands, but He does use this means to perform many of His great works. It is important to conduct this practice biblically. Godly discretion is also a must in every occasion where hands are laid upon someone.