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.

8557. 'And all the assembly of the children of Israel travelled on' means a further development of spiritual life. This is clear from the meaning of 'travelling on' as a further stage and continuation of life, dealt with in 4375, 4554, 4585, 5996, 8181, 8345, 8397, at this point a further stage or development of spiritual life, that is, an increase of it, which temptations are constantly bringing about. The reason why temptations bring about an increase of spiritual life is that the truths of faith are corroborated by means of them and joined to the good of charity. For the meaning of 'the assembly of the children of Israel' as those who belong to the spiritual Church, see 7830, 7843.