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HAND is EV [Note: English Version.] tr. [Note: translate or translation.] of Heb. yâd, ‘the open hand,’ kaph, ‘the closed hand,’ and Gr. cheir, ‘hand.’ Sometimes it is idiomatic, e.g. ‘at hand’ (Isa_13:6 etc., Heb. qârôb, Mat_26:18 etc., Gr. engys, lit. ‘near’). In determining the directions in the Orient, the face is turned to the east, not to the north as with us. So it comes that yâmîn, ‘right hand,’ and semô’l, ‘left hand,’ like the Arab. [Note: Arabic.] yamîn and shimâl, denote respectively ‘south’ and ‘north.’
In prayer the hands were stretched up (Exo_17:11, 1Ki_8:22, Psa_28:2 etc.). To lift the hand to God signified a vow (Gen_14:22). To put the hand under the thigh of one to whom a vow was made, constituted a binding form of oath (Gen_24:2; Gen_47:29). Blessing was conveyed by laying hands upon the head (Gen_48:14). Out of this probably grew the practice in ordination—see Laying on of Hands. To ‘fill the hand’ (Exo_28:41 etc.) was to set apart to the priesthood. Sin was supposed to be conveyed to the head of the victim for sacrifice (Exo_29:10 etc.), especially to that of the scapegoat (Lev_16:21 etc.), by laying on of the priests’ hands. Washing the hands was a declaration of innocence (Deu_21:6, Psa_26:6, Mat_27:24 etc.). Clean hands were a symbol of a righteous life (Job_22:30, Psa_18:20; Psa_24:4 etc.). To smite the hands together was a sign of anger (Num_24:10). To pour water on another’s hands was to be his servant (2Ki_3:11). To join hand in hand was to conspire together (Pro_11:21 etc.). To strike hands sealed a compact (Pro_6:1 etc.). Folded hands he token slumber (Pro_24:33). Left-handedness seems to have been common among the Benjamites (Jdg_20:16), and once it was of signal service (Jdg_3:15; Jdg_3:21).
‘The hand of the Lord,’ and ‘a mighty hand’ (Deu_2:15; Deu_4:34 etc.), stand for the resistless power of God. ‘The hand of the Lord upon’ the prophet signifies the Divine inspiration (Eze_8:1; Eze_37:1 etc.). ‘The good hand of the Lord’ (Ezr_7:6 etc.), ‘my hand’ and ‘my Father’s hand’ (Joh_10:28-29), denote the providential, preserving care of God.
It appears that certain marks or cuttings in the hand were evidence of what deity one served (Isa_44:5 RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] , cf. Gal_6:17). The mark of the beast ‘upon their hand’ (Rev_20:4) is probably an allusion to this custom. See Cuttings in the Flesh, and Marks.
In court the accuser stands on the right hand (Psa_109:6, Zec_3:1). The left hand bears the shield, leaving the right side exposed in battle. The protector, therefore, stands on the right hand (Psa_109:31 etc.). Perhaps on this account honour attaches to the right hand, the place given to the most favoured guest. The seat of the Redeemer’s glory is at the right hand of God (Psa_110:1, Luk_22:69, Rom_8:34 etc.).
Thrice (1Sa_15:12, 2Sa_18:18, Isa_56:5) yâd clearly means ‘monument’ or ‘memorial,’ probably a stone block or pillar; a hand may have been carved upon it, but this is uncertain.
W. Ewing.