HAND
There are several Heb terms. and GR. used for the hand:
(Heb.: “yãdh”, “hand);
“kaph”, “the hollow hand”, “palm”;
«yãmîn», «the right hand»;
«s’mõ’l», «the left hand»;
(gr.: “cheir”, “hand”);
«dexia», «the right hand»;
“aristera”, “the left hand” [only in Lk. 23:33; 2 Cor. 6:7] or, euphemistically [due to the belief that bad omens came from the left, cf. The t. «sinister»; cast. sinister]:
“eunõmos” [lit.: “having a good name”]).
Since the hand is the same executor of much of man’s intentions, much is said in the Scriptures about it. The following can be noted:
The hand included the wrist. There are passages in which bracelets are included as hand ornaments (Gen. 22:22, 30, 47; Ezek. 23:42; the Scriptures also speak of chains on the hands (Judg. 15:14, Heb. ” yãdh”, lit.: “hand”, and not “arm” as translated in the Reina-Valera version).
It is also used of the “fingers”, as in Gen. 41:42, etc., where the rings are put.
In the Law of Talion it was demanded “…hand for hand,…” (Ex. 21:24; Deut. 19:21).
There are many figurative expressions in which the hand enters:
“To open your hand to the poor” means to be generous (Deut. 15:11);
“Sending away empty-handed” means sending someone away without giving them anything (Deut. 15:30);
“stretch out your hand” (Gen. 3:22) means the action of reaching for something;
To “lift your hand” (Is. 10:32) or “shake your hand” (Zeph. 2:15) means to challenge.
Sadness and pain were expressed by “laying one’s hand on one’s head” (2 Sam. 13:19); This is how it appears in Egyptian images in which there are scenes of mourning.
The hands “clap together” in expression of both anger and joy (Num. 24:10); Also in this way one’s own contempt for the defeated is expressed (Jb. 27:23; Lam. 2:15; Nah. 3:19).
The act of “taking your life into his hand” is risking it (1 Sam. 19:5; 28:21).
For “laying on of hands.”
“Lifting your hand to heaven” was a gesture that accompanied the act of swearing (Deut. 32:40);
“Lifting your hand to the people” was part of the act of blessing the crowd (Lev. 9:22). The Lord also blessed his people by raising his hands at the Ascension (Lk. 24:50). In prayer the hands are raised (1 Tim. 2:8).
“Putting your hand over your mouth” is a sign of silence (Jb. 21:5; 40:4; Mi. 7:16).
In Pr. 19:24 a vivid image of laziness is given, in which the lazy person does not even lift his hand from the plate to feed (cf. Pr. 26:15).
The hand is also a symbol of power: “the hand of the Lord came upon Elisha” (2 Kings 3:15).
It is also important as designating position. Being on the right hand means honor (Lk. 20:42; 22:69; Heb. 1:3, 13; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; 1 Pet. 3:22).
In the judgment of the nations, the saved will be on the right (the honorable side) of the Judge, while the lost will be on the left of him (Mt. 25:33 et seq.). In these passages, the terms used are not translated in Spanish as “hand…”, but as “right” or “left.” However, the position refers to both hands (gr. “dexia” and euõnumos).