6292. 'Place your right hand on his head' means that good should accordingly occupy the first place. This is clear from the meaning of 'placing the right hand on a head' as considering to occupy the first place, as above in 6269, 6287. The placing of his hand by one on the head of another when he was going to bless belonged to a custom received from the ancients. For the head is where a person's actual powers of understanding and will reside, whereas the body is where actions in response and in obedience to them are located. Thus 'placing a hand on the head' was a representative act, denoting that a blessing should be imparted to a person's understanding and will, thus to his real self. That same custom originating in those ancient times remains even to this day and is followed at ordinations as well as in blessings.

In many cases, the use of “eternity” in the Bible is pretty literal, simply meaning forever. This is especially true when the text refers to someone being condemned to hell or elevated to heaven. In some cases, however, “eternity” or “days of old” refers to what the Writings call the Most Ancient Church -- the first church among the earliest people, innocent souls who acted directly out of love of the Lord. Because of this association, things called “eternal” or “everlasting” usually represent the desire for good that arises from love to the Lord. If we love the Lord, then our desire will be to do His will and love as He loves. From that we will have a true desire to love and care for other people. That's the feeling described by “eternal.”