Reference: Laying on of Hands
Fausets
(See BAPTISM.)
Hastings
This ceremony, of frequent occurrence in both OT and NT, is a piece of natural symbolism with the central idea that through physical contact the person performing it identifies himself with the other in the presence of God. In OT this is done with a view to the transference (a) of a Divine blessing (Ge 48:14 ff.; cf. Nu 27:18,23; De 34:9); (b) of a burden of guilt (Le 1:4; 4:3 f., Le 4:24; 16:21 f. etc.). In NT, while it is variously employed, the general idea is always that of blessing.
1. The simplest case is when Jesus lays hands of blessing on the little children (Mt 19:13,15 ||). The fact that the mothers desired Him to do so shows that this was a custom of the time and people. The narrative in Mt. shows further that, as used by Jesus, it was no magical form, but the symbolic expression of what was essentially an act of prayer (Mt 19:13).
2. In His deeds of healing Jesus constantly made use of this symbol (Mr 6:5; 8:23; Lu 4:40; 13:13; cf. Mt 9:18; Mr 7:32)
See Verses Found in Dictionary
But Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it on Ephraim's head now he was the younger and his left hand on Manasseh's head; guiding his hands intelligently, for Manasseh was the firstborn.
And he shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt-offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.
if the priest that is anointed sin according to the trespass of the people; then for his sin which he hath sinned shall he present a young bullock without blemish to Jehovah for a sin-offering.
And he shall lay his hand on the head of the goat, and slaughter it at the place where they slaughter the burnt-offering before Jehovah: it is a sin-offering.
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 Jehovah said to Moses, Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and thou shalt lay thy hand upon him;
And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him commandment, as Jehovah had said through Moses.
And Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands upon him; and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as Jehovah had commanded Moses.
As he spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler coming in did homage to him, saying, My daughter has by this died; but come and lay thy hand upon her and she shall live.
Then there were brought to him little children that he might lay his hands on them and pray; but the disciples rebuked them.
Then there were brought to him little children that he might lay his hands on them and pray; but the disciples rebuked them.
Then there were brought to him little children that he might lay his hands on them and pray; but the disciples rebuked them.
and having laid his hands upon them, he departed thence.
But Jesus, moved with compassion, having stretched out his hand, touched him, and says to him, I will, be thou cleansed.
And he could not do any work of power there, save that laying his hands on a few infirm persons he healed them.
And they bring to him a deaf man who could not speak right, and they beseech him that he might lay his hand on him.
And taking hold of the hand of the blind man he led him forth out of the village, and having spit upon his eyes, he laid his hands upon him, and asked him if he beheld anything.
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 stretching forth his hand he touched him, saying, I will; be thou cleansed: and immediately the leprosy departed from him.
And he laid his hands upon her; and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave to them to speak forth.
whom they set before the apostles; and, having prayed, they laid their hands on them.
whom they set before the apostles; and, having prayed, they laid their hands on them.
who, having come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit;
Then they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Then they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Spirit. But Simon, having seen that by the laying on of the hands of the apostles the Holy Spirit was given, offered them money, read more. saying, Give to me also this power, in order that on whomsoever I may lay hands he may receive the Holy Spirit.
and has seen in a vision a man by name Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he should see.
And Ananias went and entered into the house; and laying his hands upon him he said, Saul, brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus that appeared to thee in the way in which thou camest, that thou mightest see, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
And Ananias went and entered into the house; and laying his hands upon him he said, Saul, brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus that appeared to thee in the way in which thou camest, that thou mightest see, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
And Ananias went and entered into the house; and laying his hands upon him he said, Saul, brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus that appeared to thee in the way in which thou camest, that thou mightest see, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
And Ananias went and entered into the house; and laying his hands upon him he said, Saul, brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus that appeared to thee in the way in which thou camest, that thou mightest see, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. And straightway there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he saw, and rising up was baptised;
Then, having fasted and prayed, and having laid their hands on them, they let them go.
Then, having fasted and prayed, and having laid their hands on them, they let them go.
And having chosen them elders in each assembly, having prayed with fastings, they committed them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.
he said to them, Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye had believed? And they said to him, We did not even hear if the Holy Spirit was come.
And when they heard that, they were baptised to the name of the Lord Jesus. And Paul having laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
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.
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.
But to each the manifestation of the Spirit is given for profit.
Sufficient to such a one is this rebuke which has been inflicted by the many;
Brethren, if even a man be taken in some fault, ye who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of meekness, considering thyself lest thou also be tempted.
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.
Against an elder receive not an accusation unless where there are two or three witnesses. Those that sin convict before all, that the rest also may have fear. read more. I testify before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, that thou keep these things without prejudice, doing nothing by favour. Lay hands quickly on no man, nor partake in others' sins. Keep thyself pure.
Lay hands quickly on no man, nor partake in others' sins. Keep thyself pure. Drink no longer only water, but use a little wine on account of thy stomach and thy frequent illnesses. read more. Of some men the sins are manifest beforehand, going before to judgment, and some also they follow after. In like manner good works also are manifest beforehand, and those that are otherwise cannot be hid.
For which cause I put thee in mind to rekindle the gift of God which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
of the doctrine of washings, and of imposition of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment;
Morish
See HANDS.
Smith
Laying on of hands.
This "formed at an early period a part of the ceremony observed on the appointment and consecration of persons to high and holy undertakings;" (and in the Christian Church was especially used in setting apart men to the ministry and to other holy offices. It is a symbolical act expressing the imparting of spiritual authority and power. --ED.)