Reference: Hands, Laying on of
Morish
This was very significant in the sacrifices of the O.T. At the consecration of Aaron and his sons, they laid their hands on the bullock for the sin offering, on the ram for the burnt offering, and on the ram of consecration, showing identification of the offerers with the sacrifices. Le 8:14,18,22. At the consecration of the Levites the children of Israel first laid their hands on the Levites, and the Levites laid their hands on the head of one bullock for a sin offering, and on another for a burnt offering, to make atonement for the Levites. Nu 8:10-12. On the day of atonement Aaron laid his hands upon the head of the scapegoat, and confessed over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and it was sent away into the wilderness to signify the putting away of the sins confessed over the goat. Le 16:21.
There was also the laying on of hands as the induction to office, as Moses laid his hands on Joshua, and gave him a charge from the Lord as his successor. Nu 27:23. The apostles also laid hands upon those that had been chosen to take charge of the poor, Ac 6:6; and it is probable that in the appointment of elders, hands were laid upon them. Timothy was counselled not to 'lay hands suddenly' on any man. 1Ti 5:22. As a mark of commendation and fellowship hands were laid on Paul and Barnabas when sent forth on their missionary journey. Ac 13:3. A gift was imparted to Timothy with the laying on of Paul's hands, the elderhood being associated with the apostle in the act. 1Ti 4:14; 2Ti 1:6. The Holy Spirit was also given with the laying on of the apostles' hands. Ac 8:17; 19:6. The sick were often cured with the laying on of hands. Mr 6:5; Lu 4:40; 13:13; Ac 28:8. This apostolic action has been imitated in Christendom and much misused, great pretensions being made as to a status given and spiritual blessing imparted; whereas if it were regarded as a simple recognition and mark of fellowship in service it would be a scriptural act.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Then he brought the bull of the sin offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bull of the sin offering.
He brought the ram for the burnt offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram.
And he brought the other ram, the ram of consecration and ordination, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram.
And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat and confess over him all the iniquities of the Israelites and all their transgressions, all their sins; and he shall put them upon the head of the goat [the sin-bearer], and send him away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is timely (ready, fit).
And you shall present the Levites before the Lord, and the Israelites shall put their hands upon the Levites, And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the Lord as a wave offering from the Israelites and on their behalf, that they may do the service of the Lord. read more. Then the Levites shall lay their hands upon the heads of the bulls, and you shall offer the one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering to the Lord, to make atonement for the Levites.
And he laid his hands upon him and commissioned him, as the Lord commanded through Moses.
And He was not able to do even one work of power there, except that He laid His hands on a few sickly people [and] cured them.
Now at the setting of the sun [indicating the end of the Sabbath], all those who had any [who were] sick with various diseases brought them to Him, and He laid His hands upon every one of them and cured them.
Then He laid [His] hands on her, and instantly she was made straight, and she recognized and thanked and praised God.
These they presented to the apostles, who after prayer laid their hands on them.
Then [the apostles] laid their hands on them one by one, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Then after fasting and praying, they put their hands on them and sent them away.
And as Paul laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke in [foreign, unknown] tongues (languages) and prophesied.
And it happened that the father of Publius was sick in bed with recurring attacks of fever and dysentery; and Paul went to see him, and after praying and laying his hands on him, he healed him.
Do not neglect the gift which is in you, [that special inward endowment] which was directly imparted to you [by the Holy Spirit] by prophetic utterance when the elders laid their hands upon you [at your ordination].
Do not be in a hurry in the laying on of hands [giving the sanction of the church too hastily in reinstating expelled offenders or in ordination in questionable cases], nor share or participate in another man's sins; keep yourself pure.
[These elders should be] men who are of unquestionable integrity and are irreproachable, the husband of [but] one wife, whose children are [well trained and are] believers, not open to the accusation of being loose in morals and conduct or unruly and disorderly.