Concretely, the activity of exerting force or doing physical violence (Gen 22:12; Exod 7:9; Luke 20:19; Luke 21:12; Acts 21:17). Because of this concrete usage, the placing of one’s hands on someone or something becomes a natural symbol of the transfer of physical activity and force, i.e., as a symbol of a person’s past deeds and their effects, or of present power, or of both. Thus, by laying hands on the head of an animal to be sacrificed, people transfer their past deeds and the effects of those deeds on the beast to have them annihilated or transformed with the destruction of the animal (Exod 29:10; Exod 29:15; Exod 29:19; Lev 3:2; Lev 3:8; Lev 3:13; Num 8:12). Laying hands on the sick effects the transference of the power of the healer to them (Mark 5:23; Mark 7:23; Acts 9:12; Acts 9:17). Finally, people can hand over their power and have another exercise it on their behalf, effecting this by the laying on of hands (Num 8:10; Acts 6:6; Acts 8:17; 1Tim 4:14). Those already wielding power over a group can hand that power on to others by laying on their hands (Num 27:23; Deut 34:9; 1Tim 5:22; 2Tim 1:6).
