Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, gestures are significant physical actions that convey meaning, emotion, or intention, often complementing spoken words or standing alone as a form of communication. Throughout Scripture, gestures are used in worship, prophecy, communication, and expressions of emotion, reflecting the cultural and spiritual contexts of the biblical narrative.
Worship and PrayerGestures play a vital role in worship and prayer, symbolizing reverence, supplication, and devotion. One of the most common gestures is the lifting of hands. In
Psalm 63:4, the psalmist declares, "So I will bless You as long as I live; in Your name I will lift my hands." This gesture signifies an offering of oneself to God and an openness to receive His blessings.
Kneeling is another significant gesture associated with prayer and worship. In
Ephesians 3:14, Paul writes, "For this reason I bow my knees before the Father," indicating humility and submission to God's authority. Similarly, Solomon's prayer of dedication for the temple involved kneeling, as recorded in
1 Kings 8:54.
Prophetic ActionsProphets in the Bible often used gestures as symbolic acts to convey God's messages. These actions served as visual prophecies, illustrating divine truths or impending judgments. For instance, in
Ezekiel 4:1-3, God instructs Ezekiel to create a model of Jerusalem and lay siege against it, symbolizing the coming siege of the city. Such gestures were powerful tools for communicating God's will to His people.
Communication and ExpressionGestures also functioned as a means of communication and expression in everyday interactions. In the New Testament, Jesus uses gestures to heal and bless. In
Mark 7:33, Jesus "put His fingers into the man’s ears, and after spitting, He touched his tongue," performing a physical act that accompanied the miraculous healing of a deaf and mute man.
Expressions of grief and repentance were often accompanied by gestures such as tearing one's clothes or putting on sackcloth and ashes. In
Job 1:20, upon hearing of his great losses, "Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship." These gestures were outward signs of inner turmoil and penitence.
Cultural ContextUnderstanding the cultural context of gestures in the Bible is essential, as they often carried specific meanings within ancient Near Eastern societies. For example, the act of bowing or prostrating oneself before another was a gesture of respect and submission, as seen in
Genesis 33:3, where Jacob bows to the ground seven times before meeting his brother Esau.
ConclusionGestures in the Bible are rich with meaning and significance, serving as powerful expressions of faith, emotion, and communication. They provide insight into the spiritual and cultural life of biblical times, illustrating the depth of human interaction with the divine and with one another.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A motion of the body or limbs expressive of sentiment or passion; any action or posture intended to express an idea or a passion, or to enforce or emphasize an argument, assertion, or opinion.
2. (n.) Manner of carrying the body; position of the body or limbs; posture.
3. (v. t.) To accompany or illustrate with gesture or action; to gesticulate.
4. (v. i.) To make gestures; to gesticulate.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
GESTUREjes'-tur, jes'-tur: The Oriental is rich in gestures by which feelings are expressed and force added to words. Of this we have abundant illustration in the Bible. Almost every available part of the body was employed in gesture. In salutations the whole body was bowed, sometimes to the ground (Genesis 18:2;Genesis 19:1;Genesis 33:7; 42:06:00; 33:3), falling on the face to the ground and bowing to the ground, 3 times (1 Samuel 20:41Genesis 23:72 Samuel 9:8;2 Samuel 18:211 Kings 2:19); it was common also to embrace and kiss (Exodus 18:7), etc., weeping for joy. Esau "fell on (Jacob's) neck, and kissed him: and they wept" (Genesis 33:4); compare Joseph and his brethren (Genesis 45:14, 15); David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:41), and the father of the prodigal (Luke 15:20). We have the kiss also in the story of Judas with his Master (Matthew 26:49). Bowing the knee was also in Egypt an act of homage to a superior (Genesis 41:43); bowing the knee and bowing down were common in prayer and worship (1 Kings 19:182 Chronicles 6:13Ezra 9:5Isaiah 45:23); in prayer the head and whole body were also bowed (Genesis 24:262 Kings 5:182 Chronicles 29:28 f). The rabbins decreed that in prayer "in bowing down, the back must be bent so low that every vertebra becomes conspicuous," and endless questions arose as to what it was lawful to do during prayer (Edersheim). We read also of prayer offered standing (1 Samuel 1:261 Kings 8:22Matthew 6:5Mark 11:25), lifting up and spreading forth the hands (1 Kings 8:222 Chronicles 6:13Ezra 9:5Nehemiah 8:61 Timothy 2:8); "lifting up the hands" was synonymous with prayer (Psalm 77:2;Psalm 141:2Lamentations 2:191 Timothy 2:8); falling on the knees in pleading (1 Kings 1:13). Reverence for the aged was expressed by rising up in their presence (Leviticus 19:32, 5:12). The hand was also laid on the mouth in token of respect (Job 29:9); in token of blessing the right hand was placed on the head (Genesis 48:14; compareGenesis 49:26Proverbs 10:6). The hands were laid on the head of the animal to be sacrificed; on the scapegoat and sin offering as denoting the transference of sin; on the burnt offering, perhaps as representing the offerer (Leviticus 1:4;Leviticus 16:21). The hands were lifted up in blessing (Leviticus 9:22), in solemn swearing (Genesis 14:22Exodus 6:8Deuteronomy 32:40), in defiance and threatening (2 Samuel 20:21); extended in pleading (Isaiah 65:2). Giving the hand or joining hands as a pledge of friendship and fidelity (2 Kings 10:15Proverbs 11:21) was the origin of the widespread custom of "shaking hands"; "striking hands" signified the clenching of a bargain or agreement (Proverbs 6:1 the Revised Version British and American)); as a solemn pledge the hand was placed under the thigh of the person to whom it was given (Genesis 24:2;Genesis 47:29); plucking the hand out of the bosom was a sign of action (Psalm 74:11); clapping the hands, of rejoicing (2 Kings 11:12Psalm 47:1;Psalm 98:8Isaiah 55:12), also of ridicule, contempt and rejoicing over one (Job 27:23Lamentations 2:15Nahum 3:19). We read of "beckoning with the hand" (Luke 5:7John 13:24), preliminary to speaking (Acts 12:17;Acts 13:16;Acts 19:33;Acts 21:40;Acts 26:1, he "stretched forth his hand"); drooping of the hands indicated failure, weakness or distress (Hebrews 12:12; compareIsaiah 35:3; Ecclesiasticus 25:23); washing the hands (publicly) was a declaration of innocence, "of freedom from complicity" (Deuteronomy 21:6, 7Matthew 27:24).
The head lifted up was a sign of arrogance or pride (Psalm 83:2); of exaltation, or recovery from trouble, etc. (Judges 8:28Psalm 27:6;Psalm 110:7Zechariah 1:21); to cover the head was a symbol of grief or mourning (2 Samuel 15:30Esther 6:12Jeremiah 14:3), also putting the hand on the head (2 Samuel 13:19Jeremiah 2:37), or ashes, dust or earth (Joshua 7:61 Samuel 4:122 Samuel 12;2 Samuel 13:19Esther 4:1); wagging (or shaking) the head expressed contempt or malicious enjoyment (Job 16:4Psalm 64:8Jeremiah 18:16Lamentations 2:15; with "hissing," compareMatthew 27:39Mark 15:29; comparePsalm 22:7;Psalm 44:14;Psalm 109:25Jeremiah 48:27).
Uncovering the feet was a sign of grief (2 Samuel 15:30Isaiah 20:2, 4); lifting up the heel against one was a symbol of opposition (Psalm 41:9John 13:18); shaking the dust from the feet, of freeing from responsibility and of complete rejection (Matthew 10:14Acts 13:51; at Corinth Paul "shook out his raiment,"Acts 18:6); strong joyous feeling found (as elsewhere) expression in dancing (Judges 11:34;Judges 21:211 Samuel 18:6Jeremiah 31:4, 13), before Yahweh (Exodus 15:202 Samuel 6:14, 16).
Shooting out the lip was an expression of contempt (Psalm 22:7); to incline the ear signified attention (Psalm 45:10); rending the garments expressed the sense of horror (as in the presence of disaster, blasphemy, etc.) (Numbers 14:6Joshua 7:61 Samuel 4:122 Samuel 1:2;2 Samuel 13:19;2 Samuel 15:32Matthew 26:65Acts 14:14); the smile indicated favor and gave confidence (Job 29:24); lifting up the eyelids was a sign of pride (Proverbs 30:13); Isaiah speaks also of the "outstretched necks and wanton eyes" of the haughty daughters of Zion, "walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet" (Isaiah 3:16). The perverse man "winketh with his eyes. speaketh with his feet... maketh signs with his fingers" (Proverbs 6:13).
It is interesting to note the gestures ascribed in the Gospels to Jesus. The expression of His eyes is often referred to; we read how He "lifted up his eyes on his disciples" before pronouncing the Beatitudes, indicating a loving regard for them (Luke 6:20); how He "looked upon" the young ruler and "loved him," and, with another expressive "look" (round about)-a sad look-said, "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God" (Mark 10:21, 23); how He "looked up to heaven" before He blessed and brake the loaves (Matthew 14:19Mark 6:41Luke 9:16); also before healing (Mark 7:34); how He "looked round" on His adversaries in the synagogue (Luke 6:10), "with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their heart" (Mark 3:5); how He "turned and looked upon Peter" so that he remembered his boasting and fall, and went out and wept bitterly (Luke 22:61); we read also how He took a little child into His arms and held him up as an example to His disciples (Mark 9:36), and how He "took (little children) in his arms, and blessed them, laying his hands upon them" (Mark 10:16); how He "stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground" when the woman accused of adultery was brought to Him, then "lifted up himself" and spake, again "stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground," till the woman's accusers had departed one by one, condemned and ashamed, when He again "lifted up himself" and sent the woman away (John 8:6); how on His way to the tomb of Lazarus, He was agitated, the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) "was troubled," margin "troubled himself." Meyer has "shuddered." Some translation "shook himself" (John 11:33).
See, further, ATTITUDES.
W. L. Walker
Greek
1770. enneuo -- to nod at, ie beckon or communicate bygesture... to nod at, ie beckon or communicate by
gesture. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
enneuo Phonetic Spelling: (en-nyoo'-o) Short Definition: I make a sign to
...1175. deisidaimonia -- a religion, superstition
... Cognate: 1175 (akin to 1174 , see there) -- properly, dread of a pagan deity "inspiring"
a "token show of respect" (religiousgesture) -- especially religious...
Strong's Hebrew
7169. qarats -- to nip, pinch... A primitive root; to pinch, ie (partially) to bite the lips, blink the eyes (as
a
gesture of malice), or (fully) to squeeze off (a piece of clay in order to
...Library
The Dramatic Element in Speaking
... A preacher drawing himself up to his full height, with a significantgesture of
the head, or with flashing eye pointing the finger of warning at his hearers...
Successful Methods of Public Speaking
... have been very great. One eminent speaker used practically nogesture; another
was in almost constant action. One was quiet, modest...
Practical Hints for Speakers
... Yourgesture should be graceful, appropriate, free, forceful, and natural.
Avoid allgesture which is unmeaning, angular, abrupt...
Advertisements
... PART THREE"Articulation and Pronunciation. PART FOUR"Gesture and Facial Expression....
How to speak, develop vocabulary, write, train memory,gesture, etc....
When I Wrote a Little Volume on My Friend Mr. ...
... The difference between Puritanism and Catholicism is not about whether
some priestly word orgesture is significant and sacred....
Whether any virtue Regards the Outward Movements of the Body?
... i, 18): "The sound of the voice and thegesture of the body are distasteful to me,
whether they be unduly soft and nerveless, or coarse and boorish....
Useful Phrases
... admittedly inferior. admonitorygesture. adolescent youth.... benignant pity [benignant =
favorable; beneficial; kind]. beseechinggesture. besetting heresy....
The Cardinal was Seated, -- He Rose as Moretti Appeared. ...
... The Cardinal gave agesture of courteous deprecation; and Monsignor Moretti, lifting
his, till then, partially lowered eyelids, flashed an angry regard upon...
Matt. vi. 1
... they make themselves manifest to all by their voice, crying out disorderly, [832]
and rendering themselves objects of ridicule both bygesture and voice....
It is a Little Remarkable That, While Some Classes of Christians...
... greater animation in the manner, more of the lighting up of the soul in the countenance
and whole mien, more freedom and meaning in thegesture; the eye speaks...
Thesaurus
Gesture... 2. (n.) Manner of carrying the body; position of the body or limbs; posture. 3.
(vt) To accompany or illustrate with
gesture or action; to gesticulate.
...GESTURE.
...Writing (194 Occurrences)
... Earliest mankind expressed itself bygesture or voice and recorded in memory, but
at a very early stage man began to feel the need of objective aids to memory...
Gesh'urites (6 Occurrences)
Gesh'urites. Geshurites, Gesh'urites.Gesture . Multi-Version Concordance... (See
RSV). Geshurites, Gesh'urites.Gesture . Reference Bible.
Natural (49 Occurrences)
... 5. (a.) Springing from true sentiment; not artificial or exaggerated; -- said
of action, delivery, etc.; as, a naturalgesture, tone, etc....
Gestured (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofGesture. Multi-Version Concordance
Gestured (1 Occurrence). John 13:24 Simon Peter therefore...
Wink (2 Occurrences)
... "He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow" (Proverbs 10:10). See Watkinson,
Education of the Heart, "Ethics ofGesture," 194;....
Finger (35 Occurrences)
... person is thus described in Proverbs 6:13 as "teaching" or "making signs with his
fingers." Such insulting gestures (compare eg thegesture of Shimei in...
Taber
... upon, that is, beat violently, their breasts. Such drumming on the breasts
was agesture indicative of great grief (Luke 18:3)....
Expression (17 Occurrences)
... vivid representation of meaning, sentiment, or feeling, etc.; significant and
impressive indication, whether by language, appearance, orgesture; that manner...
Express (13 Occurrences)
... a true impression of; to represent and make known; to manifest plainly; to show
in general; to exhibit, as an opinion or feeling, by a look,gesture, and esp....
Resources
What is the Greek Orthodox Church? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Buddhism and what do Buddhists believe? | GotQuestions.orgShould Christians use the preferred pronouns of transgender individuals when referring to them? | GotQuestions.orgGesture: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
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