599. And he had in his hand a little book open.- That this signifies the Word manifested, is evident from the signification of a little book open, as denoting the Word manifested. That this is denoted by the little book open, is clear from this fact, that by the strong angel coming down out of heaven, and having in his hand the little book, is represented the Lord as to the Word, and indeed as to its ultimate sense, which is called the sense of the letter (see above, n. 593); and since the Word is manifested as well to angels as to men, it is therefore said, a little book open.

Hands in the Bible represent power, the force with which things are put into action. To be specific, they represent the power of spiritual good -- which is the love of others and serving others -- expressed through spiritual truth -- which is an understanding and knowledge of what it is to love and serve others. This is in contrast to the feet, which represent power on the natural level, and a “rod,” which represents the power of the hand passed down into external or natural ideas. In a few cases in the Bible, hands also represent communication and a drawing together. This is true when people lift their hands to heaven or to Jehovah, and also when the Lord touches children or touches people to heal them.