In the biblical context, the thumb is mentioned in several passages, often symbolizing strength, power, and capability. The thumb, as part of the hand, plays a crucial role in grasping and holding, and its presence or absence can significantly affect one's ability to perform tasks. The Bible references thumbs in both literal and symbolic ways, highlighting their importance in ancient Near Eastern culture and warfare.

Biblical References

1. Judges 1:6-7: One of the most notable mentions of thumbs in the Bible is found in the account of Adoni-Bezek. After being captured by the Israelites, Adoni-Bezek had his thumbs and big toes cut off. The passage states: "Adoni-Bezek fled, but they pursued him, seized him, and cut off his thumbs and big toes. Then Adoni-Bezek said, 'Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off used to gather scraps under my table. As I have done, so God has repaid me.' They brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there" (Judges 1:6-7). This act of mutilation rendered him incapable of wielding a weapon effectively or running swiftly, symbolizing the loss of power and authority.

2. Symbolism of Strength and Dexterity: The thumb, as part of the hand, is often associated with strength and skill. In biblical times, warriors and craftsmen relied heavily on their hands for battle and work. The removal of thumbs was a common practice to incapacitate enemies, ensuring they could no longer pose a threat. This practice underscores the thumb's symbolic representation of human capability and dominance.

3. Levitical Rituals: In the Levitical laws, the thumb is mentioned in the context of purification and consecration rituals. Leviticus 8:23-24 describes the consecration of Aaron and his sons: "Moses slaughtered the ram and took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron’s right ear, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. Moses also brought Aaron’s sons forward and put some of the blood on the lobes of their right ears, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet" . This ritual signified the dedication of the priests' entire being—what they heard, what they did, and where they went—to the service of God.

4. Cultural and Historical Context: In the ancient Near East, the thumb was considered essential for wielding weapons and tools. The practice of cutting off thumbs and big toes was not only a form of punishment but also a strategic move to prevent captives from rebelling or escaping. This practice reflects the broader cultural understanding of the thumb's role in human strength and ability.

Theological Implications

The biblical references to thumbs highlight themes of power, judgment, and consecration. The mutilation of Adoni-Bezek serves as a reminder of divine justice and the consequences of one's actions. The use of the thumb in Levitical rituals emphasizes the importance of dedicating one's actions to God, symbolizing a life set apart for holy purposes. These themes resonate with the broader biblical narrative of God's sovereignty and the call for His people to live in obedience and service to Him.931. bohen -- thumb, great toe
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition thumb, great toe NASB Word Usage big
toe (6), big toes (1), thumb (6), thumbs (1), thumbs and their big (1), thumbs ...
/hebrew/931.htm - 6k

Preface
... Vociferated logic kills me quite; A noisy man is always in the right" I twirl my
thumbs, fall back into my chair, Fix on the wainscot a distressful stare ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/talks on talking/preface.htm

The Foundations of Good Citizenship.
... contain ten decalogues, that is a decalogue of decalogues, suggesting that originally
a decalogue was associated with each of the fingers and thumbs of the two ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study x the foundations of.htm

The Builders
... his tools. Our informant described him as aged, starved, and infirm, "truly
pitiable," and strung up by his thumbs to a beam. The ...
/.../cable/the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter xv the builders.htm

Meditation ix. Private Instruction and Consecrations.
... Then he laid his hands on their shoulders and heads, while they, on their part,
joined their hands and crossed their thumbs, bowing down profoundly before him ...
/.../meditation ix private instruction and.htm

The Gate of Nicanor, or the East Gate of the Court of Israel.
... when will it be in my power, to lay them waste!" But when the Asmonean family prevailed,
they subdued them, and slew him, and hung up his thumbs and great toes ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 30 the gate of.htm

The Deaf Stammerer Healed and Four Thousand Fed.
... He then touched with one or both his thumbs the man's tongue, and, speaking the
healing word, the cure was accomplished]; 34 and looking up to heaven, he sighed ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxix the deaf stammerer healed.htm

The Origin of Species.
... like their mother, though the hands and feet of George were slightly deformed; the
last, a girl, had five fingers and five toes, but the thumbs were slightly ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/xii the origin of species.htm

A Letter from a West Indian Cottage Ornee
... which has developed, at one end, a body about twice as big as a hare's; four arms
(call them not legs), of which the front ones have no thumbs, nor rudiments ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter v a letter from.htm

A God-Given Field (1894-1900)
... early years. She witnessed a good confession in 1900"being strung up
by her thumbs when refusing to deny her Lord. Faithfully ...
/.../goforth/how i know god answers prayer/iv a god-given field 1894-1900.htm

The Pearl.
... When you have collected a sufficient store, sit down and open them one by one with
a knife, feeling carefully with your thumbs for the little hard round knots ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/vi the pearl.htm

Thumbs (4 Occurrences)
...Thumbs (4 Occurrences). ... Judges 1:6 But Adoni-Bezek fled; and they pursued after
him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes. ...
/t/thumbs.htm - 7k

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

Toes (8 Occurrences)
... put the sheep to death, and take some of its blood and put it on the point of Aaron's
right ear, and of the right ears of his sons, and on the thumbs of their ...
/t/toes.htm - 9k

Adonibezek (2 Occurrences)
... that were around him, made an attack against the armies of Judah and Simeon, but
was defeated and brought as a captive to Jerusalem, where his thumbs and great ...
/a/adonibezek.htm - 8k

Adoni-bezek (3 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV WBS YLT NAS NIV). Judges 1:6 But Adoni-Bezek fled; and they pursued
after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes. ...
/a/adoni-bezek.htm - 7k

Big (21 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS NIV). Judges 1:6 But Adoni-Bezek fled; and they pursued after him, and
caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes. (See NAS NIV). ...
/b/big.htm - 13k

Overtook (35 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Judges 1:6 But Adoni-zedek went in flight; and they went after him and overtook
him, and had his thumbs and his great toes cut off. (BBE). ...
/o/overtook.htm - 17k

Fleeth (54 Occurrences)
... Judges 1:6 And Adoni-Bezek fleeth, and they pursue after him, and seize him,
and cut off his thumbs and his great toes, (YLT). Judges ...
/f/fleeth.htm - 22k

Requited (12 Occurrences)
... Judges 1:7 Adoni-Bezek said, "Seventy kings, having their thumbs and their great
toes cut off, gathered their food under my table: as I have done, so God has ...
/r/requited.htm - 9k

Dropping (33 Occurrences)
... put the sheep to death, and take some of its blood and put it on the point of Aaron's
right ear, and of the right ears of his sons, and on the thumbs of their ...
/d/dropping.htm - 17k

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