The thumb, as a distinct and significant part of the human hand, is mentioned in various contexts within the Bible. Its presence in Scripture often symbolizes strength, skill, and the ability to grasp or hold, both physically and metaphorically. The thumb, along with the fingers, plays a crucial role in the dexterity and functionality of the hand, which is frequently used in biblical imagery to represent power and action.

Biblical References

1. Rituals and Consecration: The thumb is notably mentioned in the context of Old Testament rituals, particularly in the consecration of priests. In Leviticus 8:23-24 , during the ordination of Aaron and his sons, Moses took some of the blood from the sacrifice and applied it to the right ear, the thumb of the right hand, and the big toe of the right foot of Aaron and his sons. This act symbolized the consecration of their hearing, work, and walk to the service of God. The thumb, in this context, represents the work and actions of the priest, dedicated to the Lord.

2. Judgment and Defeat: The thumb is also mentioned in the context of judgment and defeat. In Judges 1:6-7 , Adoni-Bezek, a Canaanite king, was captured by the Israelites, and they cut off his thumbs and big toes. This act rendered him powerless and humiliated, as he himself acknowledged, "Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off used to gather scraps under my table." The removal of the thumbs symbolized the loss of strength and ability to wield weapons, thus incapacitating a warrior.

3. Symbol of Skill and Craftsmanship: While not directly mentioned, the thumb's role in skill and craftsmanship can be inferred from various passages that speak of the work of hands. For instance, in Psalm 144:1 , David praises God, saying, "Blessed be the LORD, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle." The thumb, as an integral part of the hand, is essential for the skilled work and craftsmanship often highlighted in Scripture.

Symbolism and Interpretation

In biblical symbolism, the thumb can represent human ability and divine empowerment. The consecration of the thumb in priestly rituals underscores the importance of dedicating one's actions to God. The loss of thumbs in judgment narratives highlights the removal of power and capability, serving as a reminder of the consequences of opposing God's people.

The thumb's role in craftsmanship and skill further illustrates the biblical theme of God equipping individuals for specific tasks and purposes. The dexterity provided by the thumb is a testament to the intricate design of the human body, reflecting the Creator's wisdom and intention.

Overall, the thumb, though a small part of the body, holds significant meaning in the biblical narrative, symbolizing strength, consecration, and the capacity for action in service to God.1. (n.) The short, thick first digit of the human hand, differing from the other fingers in having but two phalanges; the pollex. See Pollex.

2. (v. t.) To handle awkwardly.

3. (v. t.) To play with the thumbs, or with the thumbs and fingers; as, to thumb over a tune.

4. (v. t.) To soil or wear with the thumb or the fingers; to soil, or wear out, by frequent handling; also, to cover with the thumb; as, to thumb the touch-hole of a cannon.

5. (v. i.) To play with the thumb or thumbs; to play clumsily; to thrum.

931. bohen -- thumb, great toe
... 930, 931. bohen. 932 . thumb, great toe. Transliteration: bohen Phonetic
Spelling: (bo'-hen) Short Definition: toe. ... thumb, great toe. ...
/hebrew/931.htm - 6k

932. Bohan -- "closing," a descendant of Reuben
... of Reuben NASB Word Usage Bohan (2). Bohan. An orthographical variation of bohen;
thumb, Bohan, an Israelite -- Bohan. see HEBREW bohen. 931, 932. Bohan. 933 ...
/hebrew/932.htm - 6k

3027. yad -- hand
... sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, + swear, terror, X thee, X by them,
X themselves, X thine own, X thou, through, X throwing, + thumb, times, X to ...
/hebrew/3027.htm - 8k

The Arrest of the Body
... But observe how one circumstance hinders the possessor from taking full advantage
of these great improvements,"this Hand has no thumb, or if it has, it is ...
/.../drummond/the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/chapter iii the arrest of.htm

Bound to the Altar
... I have heard it talked about in the same way as a doctor talked to a poor lad who
had his thumb crushed in a machine. 'Don't shout, my poor boy', he said. ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/ix bound to the altar.htm

Whether Three Fruits are Fittingly Assigned to the Three Parts of ...
... iii, 8) that "the thirtyfold fruit is assigned to married persons, because in the
signs drawn on the 'abacus' the number 30 is denoted by the thumb and index ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether three fruits are fittingly.htm

A Heart-Breaking Verse.
... jealously"that box. It has heavy hinges, and double padlocks, and the keys
are held hard under the thumb of your will. Of course ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/a heart-breaking verse.htm

Entire Sanctification in Type.
... As the priest had already touched his ear, his thumb and his toe with the blood
of the sacrifice, so now he touched the same parts also with the oil. ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter iv entire sanctification in.htm

Appendix xvi. On the Jewish views About Demons' and the Demonised ...
... Among the latter we reckon, not only incantations, but magic by means of the thumb,
by a knife with a black handle, or by a glass cup (Sanh.67 b), or by a cup ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xvi on the jewish.htm

The Three Witnesses
... a priest was a type of Christ) three things were always used: he was washed with
water in every case, a sacrifice was brought, and his ear, his thumb, and his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/the three witnesses.htm

Shall we Abandon Our Religion?
... Examine the old "Blue Laws of Connecticut." Among the errors of the past we find
the "rack," the "thumb-screw," the "inquisition""I was going to add the cross ...
/.../shall we abandon our religion.htm

The Foundations of Good Citizenship.
... This division of five and ten was without reasonable doubt intended to aid the memory
by associating each law with a finger or thumb of the two hands. ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study x the foundations of.htm

A Christmas Sermon
... Friendships fall through, health fails, weariness assails him; year after year,
he must thumb the hardly varying record of his own weakness and folly. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stevenson/a christmas sermon/iv.htm

Thumb (7 Occurrences)
... See Pollex. 2. (vt) To handle awkwardly. 3. (vt) To play with the thumbs,
or with the thumbs and fingers; as, to thumb over a tune. ...
/t/thumb.htm - 10k

Tip (17 Occurrences)
... the ram, and take some of its blood, and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron,
and on the tip of the right ear of his sons, and on the thumb of their ...
/t/tip.htm - 13k

Toe (7 Occurrences)
... the ram, and take some of its blood, and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron,
and on the tip of the right ear of his sons, and on the thumb of their ...
/t/toe.htm - 10k

Big (21 Occurrences)
... the ram, and take some of its blood, and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron,
and on the tip of the right ear of his sons, and on the thumb of their ...
/b/big.htm - 13k

Lobe (19 Occurrences)
... the ram, and take some of its blood, and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron,
and on the tip of the right ear of his sons, and on the thumb of their ...
/l/lobe.htm - 12k

Trespass-offering (34 Occurrences)
... take of the blood of the trespass-offering, and the priest shall put it upon the
tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his ...
/t/trespass-offering.htm - 18k

Cleansed (76 Occurrences)
... take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and the priest shall put it on
the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, and on the thumb of his ...
/c/cleansed.htm - 30k

Guilt-offering (34 Occurrences)
... take of the blood of the trespass-offering, and the priest shall put it upon the
tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his ...
/g/guilt-offering.htm - 17k

Slaughtered (72 Occurrences)
... the ram, and hast taken of its blood, and hast put on the tip of the right ear of
Aaron, and on the tip of the right ear of his sons, and on the thumb of their ...
/s/slaughtered.htm - 29k

Lobes (2 Occurrences)
... the ram, and take some of its blood, and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron,
and on the tip of the right ear of his sons, and on the thumb of their ...
/l/lobes.htm - 7k

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