χείρ (cheir)
cheir
hand
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 171 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word cheir simply means "hand," yet it carries significant weight in biblical texts by functioning as a metonym for power, action, or agency. In the New Testament, it appears frequently to describe physical gestures, such as Jesus healing the sick by touching them (Mark 1:31), but also to denote authority. When Scripture speaks of being "in the hand" of someone, it often refers to their control or protection, a usage that mirrors Hebrew idioms found in the Old Testament.
A key distinction lies in how the term shifts from human capability to divine sovereignty. While humans use their hands to work or strike, the sources highlight cheir describing God’s active power in creation and judgment. For instance, Luke notes that the hand of the Lord was with Barnabas (Acts 11:21), indicating divine empowerment rather than physical touch. This metaphorical use underscores that God’s influence is as tangible and effective as a human hand reaching out.
The word’s etymology may relate to the concept of hollowness, reflecting the hand’s shape for grasping or holding. This physical detail informs its theological application: just as a hand holds an object, God’s hand holds history and individuals. Translators typically render it directly as "hand," preserving the concrete imagery that connects physical action with spiritual reality throughout the biblical narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word cheir simply means hand, yet it carries significant weight in biblical texts by functioning as a metonym for power, action, or agency. In the New Testament, it appears frequently to describe physical gestures, such as Jesus healing the sick by touching them (Mark 1:31), but also to denote authority. When Scripture speaks of being "in the hand" of someone, it often refers to their control or protection, a usage that mirrors Hebrew idioms found in the Old Testament.
A key distinction lies in how the term shifts from human capability to divine sovereignty. While humans use their hands to work or strike, the sources highlight cheir describing God’s active power in creation and judgment. For instance, Luke notes that the hand of the Lord was with Barnabas (Acts 11:21), indicating divine empowerment rather than physical touch. This metaphorical use underscores that God’s influence is as tangible and effective as a human hand reaching out.
The word’s etymology may relate to the concept of hollowness, reflecting the hand’s shape for grasping or holding. This physical detail informs its theological application: just as a hand holds an object, God’s hand holds history and individuals. Translators typically render it directly as "hand," preserving the concrete imagery that connects physical action with spiritual reality throughout the biblical narrative.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 171 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- hands68×
- hand65×
- [the] hand12×
- [the] hands6×
- hands,5×
- hands.4×
- hand.3×
- hand,3×
- hand;2×
- hand —2×
- [their] hands2×
- of hands,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- χεῖρας48×
- χειρὸς24×
- χεῖρα22×
- χειρὶ17×
- χειρῶν16×
- χεὶρ8×
- χερσὶν7×
- χεῖράς5×
- χεῖρας,5×
- χεῖρά4×
- χείρ4×
- χεῖρες2×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 8:3
Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I want to. Be made clean.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
This verse shows Jesus using his hand to physically touch a leper, demonstrating how divine power operates through tangible human action to bring healing.
-
Matthew 12:10
And behold, there was a man with a withered hand. They asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?” so that they might accuse him.
The mention of a withered hand serves as the specific point of contention in this passage, highlighting Jesus' authority to restore wholeness even on the Sabbath.
-
Matthew 26:50
Jesus said to him, “Friend, why are you here?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
Here the hand is used for arrest, illustrating the somber reality that human hands can be instruments of betrayal and violence against the Messiah.
-
Mark 1:31
He came and took her by the hand and raised her up. The fever left her immediately, and she served them.
Jesus taking Peter’s mother-in-law by her hand shows a gentle, personal touch that immediately removes her fever, linking physical contact with spiritual restoration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does cheir mean in the Bible?
How is cheir different from other words for hand?
Where does cheir appear in the New Testament?
Every Occurrence (171 verses across 21 books)
Matthew 23 verses
His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into…
Matthew 4:6and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels…
Matthew 5:30If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you…
Matthew 8:3Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I want to. Be made clean.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Matthew 8:15He touched her hand, and the fever left her. So she got up and served him.
Matthew 9:18While he told these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but…
Matthew 9:25But when the crowd was sent out, he entered in, took her by the hand, and the girl arose.
Matthew 12:10And behold, there was a man with a withered hand. They asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?” so that…
Matthew 12:13Then he told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out; and it was restored whole, just like the other.
Matthew 12:49He stretched out his hand toward his disciples, and said, “Behold, my mother and my brothers!
Matthew 14:31Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Matthew 15:2“Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat bread.”
Matthew 15:20These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands doesn’t defile the man.”
Matthew 17:22While they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered up into the hands of…
Matthew 18:8If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into…
Matthew 19:13Then little children were brought to him that he should lay his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.
Matthew 19:15He laid his hands on them, and departed from there.
Matthew 22:13Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and throw him into the outer darkness. That…
Matthew 26:23He answered, “He who dipped his hand with me in the dish will betray me.
Matthew 26:45Then he came to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and…
Matthew 26:50Jesus said to him, “Friend, why are you here?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
Matthew 26:51Behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high…
Matthew 27:24So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water and washed…