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
And he brought the bullock of the sin-offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the bullock of the sin-offering.
And he presented the ram of the burnt-offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram.
And he presented the other ram, the ram of consecration: 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 children of Israel, and all their transgressions, even all their sins; and he shall put them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a man that is in readiness into the wilderness:
and thou shalt present the Levites before Jehovah. And the children of Israel shall lay their hands upon the Levites: and Aaron shall offer the Levites before Jehovah for a wave-offering, on the behalf of the children of Israel, that it may be theirs to do the service of Jehovah. read more. And the Levites shall lay their hands upon the heads of the bullocks: and offer thou the one for a sin-offering, and the other for a burnt-offering, unto Jehovah, to make atonement for the Levites.
and he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as Jehovah spake by Moses.
And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.
And when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.
And he laid his hands upon her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands upon them.
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
And it was so, that the father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery: unto whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laying his hands on him healed him.
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
Lay hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.
if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, who are not accused of riot or unruly.