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 near the bullock for the sin-offering; and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bullock for the sin-offering;
And he presented the ram of the burnt-offering; and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram;
And he presented the second ram, the ram of consecration; and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram;
and Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the living goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, and he shall put them on the head of the goat, and shall send him away to the wilderness by the hand of a man standing ready;
And thou shalt bring the Levites before Jehovah; and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites. And Aaron shall offer the Levites as a wave-offering before Jehovah from the children of Israel, and they shall perform the service of Jehovah. read more. And the Levites shall lay their hands upon the heads of the bullocks, and thou shalt offer the one for a sin-offering, and the other for a burnt-offering, to Jehovah, to make atonement for the Levites.
And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him commandment, as Jehovah had said through Moses.
And he could not do any work of power there, save that laying his hands on a few infirm persons he healed them.
And when the sun went down, all, as many as had persons sick with divers diseases, brought them to him, and having laid his hands on every one of them, he 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, having prayed, they laid their hands on them.
Then they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Then, having fasted and prayed, and having laid their hands on them, they let them go.
And Paul having laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
And it happened that the father of Publius lay ill of fever and dysentery; to whom Paul entered in, and having prayed and laid his hands on him cured him.
Be not negligent of the gift that is in thee, which has been given to thee through prophecy, with imposition of the hands of the elderhood.
Lay hands quickly on no man, nor partake in others' sins. Keep thyself pure.
if any one be free from all charge against him, husband of one wife, having believing children not accused of excess or unruly.