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.

7205. 'And I will redeem you with an outstretched arm' means leading out of hell by Divine power. This is clear from the meaning of 'redeeming' as leading out of hell (for the use of the word 'redemption' in connection with servitude, evil, and death, from which people are released, so that they are released from hell, and for the Lord's being called the Redeemer in respect of His Divine Human, see 6281); and from the meaning of 'an outstretched arm' as Divine. For 'arm' means power, see 878, 4931, 4932, 4934, 4935; but the reason why 'an out-stretched arm' means almighty or Divine power is that in heaven when an arm is seen outstretched it represents power from the Divine. When it is not outstretched however but bent, power in an ordinary sense is meant. This now explains why in the Word the expressions 'outstretched arm' and 'strong hand' are used many times to mean Divine power, as in Jeremiah,

I have made the earth, man, and beast that are on the face of the earth, by My great strength and by My outstretched arm. Jeremiah 17:5.

In the same prophet,

Ah, Lord Jehovih! Behold, You have made heaven and earth by Your great strength and by Your outstretched arm; there is no matter ¹ that is too wonderful for You. And You led Your people Israel out of the land of Egypt by signs and by miracles, and by a strong hand and by an outstretched arm. Jeremiah 32:17, 21.

In Ezekiel,

I will lead you out from the peoples, and gather you out of the lands into which you were scattered, by a strong hand and by an outstretched arm. Ezekiel 20:34.

In David,

He led Israel out from the midst of the Egyptians, by a strong hand and an outstretched arm. Psalms 136:11-12.

In addition to these places see Deuteronomy 4:34; 5:15; 7:19; 9:29; 11:2; 26:8; 1 Kings 8:42; 2 Kings 17:36.

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