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 the sin offering was brought. And Aaron and his sons put their hands upon the head of the ox of the sin offering.
And he brought the ram of the burnt offering, and Aaron and his sons put their hands upon the head of the ram,
And he brought the other ram that was the full offering, and Aaron and his sons put their hands upon the head of the ram:
and let Aaron put both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the misdeeds of the children of Israel, and all their trespasses, and all their sins: and let him put them upon the head of the goat and send him away by the hands of one that is acquainted in the wilderness.
And bring the Levites before the LORD, and let the children of Israel put their hands upon the Levites. And let Aaron heave the Levites before the LORD, for a heave offering given of the children of Israel, and then let them be appointed to wait upon the service of the LORD. read more. And let the Levites put their hands upon the heads of the bullocks, and then offer them: the one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for the Levites.
and put his hands upon him and give him a charge, as the LORD commanded through the hand of Moses.
And he could there show no miracles, but laid his hands upon a few sick folk and healed them.
When the sun was down, all they that had sick, taken 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 on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
which they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the holy ghost.
Then fasted they and prayed, and put their hands on them, and let them go.
And Paul laid his hands upon them: and the holy ghost came on them, and they spake with tongues and prophesied;
And it fortuned that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever, and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in and prayed, and laid his hands on him and healed him.
Despise not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee through prophecy, and with laying on of the hands of an elder.
Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: Keep thyself pure.
If any be faultless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, which are not slandered of riot, neither are disobedient.