Dexterity

DEXTERITY:
Right-Handed (Dextral) and Left-Handed (Sinistral) in the Bible

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Dr. Paul Manuel—2008

The biblical authors employ countless figures to make their speaking and writing more vivid and engaging for their audience. One such figure is the use of "hand," particularly the "right hand." As with most tropes, there is a literal usage that underlies the figure, and the right hand often serves as a metonymy (substitute) for some thing or action produced by it. As an extension of this figurative use, the writers also depict God as having hands (anthropomorphism) and of using His right hand in similar fashion to that of man. Does this predilection for right-handedness (dextrics) in scripture imply a divine bias against left-handedness (sinistrics)?

Because most people are right-handed, they generally favor that side of the body,¹ and the right hand itself is usually stronger than the left. Hence, they normally perform tasks with their right hand that require force or dexterity.²

Judg 5:26 Her hand reached for the tent peg, her right hand for the workman's hammer. She struck Sisera, she crushed his head, she shattered and pierced his temple.

Judg 7:20b Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!"

Recognizing this natural tendency, people have commonly associated the right side with power and ability,³ whether human or divine.⁴

Ps 137:5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill.

Exod 15:6 "Your right hand, O LORD, was majestic in power. Your right hand, O LORD, shattered the enemy.... 12 You stretched out your right hand and the earth swallowed them.

For this reason, a ruler's right hand will often have a symbol of power, his signet ring or his scepter.⁵

Jer 22:24 "As surely as I live," declares the LORD, "even if you, Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, were a signet ring on my right hand, I would still pull you off.

Matt 27:29b They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said.

Related to the power of God's right hand is the support He can give to man's right hand.⁶

Ps 16:8b Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. [= Acts 2:25b]

The right hand is also a means of indicating preference or favor,⁷ especially when bestowing a blessing.⁸

Gen 48:13 And Joseph took both of them, Ephraim on his right toward Israel's left hand and Manasseh on his left toward Israel's right hand, and brought them close to him. 14 But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim's head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh's head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn.... 17 When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim's head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head. 18 Joseph said to him, "No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head."

Matt 25:33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

Likewise, to occupy a position on the right of an important figure is a mark of honor.⁹

1 Kgs 2:19 When Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah, the king stood up to meet her, bowed down to her and sat down on his throne. He had a throne brought for the king's mother, and she sat down at his right hand.

Ps 16:11 b You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

The highest honor in this regard, God bestows on the messiah.¹⁰

Ps 110: 1 The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." 1= Matt 22:44; Mark 12:36; Luke 20:42; Acts 2:34; Heb 1: 131

Perhaps related to the notion of power is the legal use of the right hand. When a person makes an oath, he raises his right hand, a practice that continues to this day. The act is a symbolic gesture that signifies sincerity and implies an ability to fulfill one's word.¹¹

Isa 62:8a The LORD has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm:

Rev 10:5 Then the angel...raised his right hand to heaven. 6a And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever,

Likewise, a person who gives testimony, either for or against a defendant, will stand on the right side of the accused.¹²

Ps 109:6b let an accuser stand at his right hand.... 31 For [God] stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save his life from those who condemn him.

Despite the prominence of right-handedness in literal and figurative language, though, the biblical authors attach no stigma to left-handedness. On the contrary, they single out the advantage of the latter in certain military situations.¹³

Judg 3:15 ...the LORD...gave them a deliverer—Ehud, a left-handed man.... The Israelites sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab.... 21 Ehud reached with his left hand, drew the sword from his right thigh and plunged it into the king's belly.

Judg 20:16 Among all these soldiers there were seven hundred chosen men who were left-handed, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.

Therefore, those who are left-handed should not think that the Bible discriminates against them—there is no inherent prejudice. It merely reflects a world in which the majority of people have a different dexterity.

For a pdf with the Endnotes see here.