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Bible Dictionaries
Gestures
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
or GESTURES . The Oriental is a natural expert in appropriate and expressive gesture. To his impulsive and emotional temperament, attitude and action form a more apt vehicle for thought and feeling than even speech. Movement of feature, shrug of shoulder, turn of hand, express much, and suggest delicate shades of meaning which cannot be put in words. Conversation is accompanied by a sort of running commentary of gestures. Easterns conduct argument and altercation at the pitch of their voices; emphasis is supplied almost wholly by gestures. These are often so violent that an unskilled witness might naturally expect to see bloodshed follow.
The word does not occur in Scripture, but the thing, in various forms, is constantly appearing. Bowing the head or body marks reverence, homage, or worship ( Genesis 18:2 , Exo 20:5 , 1 Chronicles 21:21 , Psalms 95:6 , Isaiah 60:14 ). The same is true of kneeling ( 1 Kings 19:18 , 2 Kings 1:13 , Psalms 95:6 , Mark 1:40 ). This sign of homage the tempter sought from Jesus ( Matthew 4:9 ). Kneeling was a common attitude in prayer ( 1 Kings 8:54 , Ezra 9:6 , Daniel 6:10 , Luke 22:41 , Ephesians 3:14 etc.). The glance of the eye may mean appeal, as the upward look in prayer ( Job 22:26 , Mark 6:41 etc.), anger ( Mark 3:5 ), or reproach ( Luke 22:61 ). A shake of the head may express scorn or derision ( 2 Kings 19:21 , Psalms 109:25 , Mark 15:29 etc.). A grimace of the lip is a sign of contempt ( Psalms 22:7 ). Shaking the dust off the feet , or shaking , however gently, one’s raiment , indicates complete severance ( Matthew 10:14 etc.), denial of responsibility ( Acts 18:16 ), and often now, total ignorance of any matter referred to. Rending the garments betokens consternation, real ( Genesis 37:29 , Joshua 7:6 , Acts 14:14 etc.) or assumed ( 2 Chronicles 23:13 , Matthew 26:65 ), and grief ( Judges 11:35 , 2 Samuel 1:11 etc.). Joy was expressed by dancing ( Exodus 15:20 , 1 Samuel 30:16 , Jeremiah 31:4 etc.) and clapping the hands ( Psalms 47:1 , Isaiah 55:12 etc.). Spitting upon, or in the face , indicated deep despite ( Numbers 12:14 , Isaiah 50:6 , Matthew 26:67 , etc.). See Hand, Mourning Customs, Salutation.
Some gestures in common use are probably ancient. One who narrowly escapes danger, describing his experience, will crack his thumb nail off the edge of his front teeth, suggesting Job’s ‘with the skin of my teeth’ (Job 19:20 ). One charged with a fault will put his elbows to his sides, turn his palms outward, and shrug his shoulders, with a slight side inclination of the head, repudiating responsibility for an act which, in his judgment, was plainly inevitable.
W. Ewing.
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Hastings, James. Entry for 'Gestures'. Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hdb/g/gestures.html. 1909.
