Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, the concept of "handle" can be understood both literally and metaphorically, reflecting the physical act of touching or managing an object, as well as the broader spiritual and moral implications of handling matters of faith and life.
Literal HandlingThe Bible contains several instances where the act of handling is mentioned in a literal sense. For example, in the construction of the Tabernacle and the Temple, skilled craftsmen were required to handle materials with precision and care. In
Exodus 35:35, it is noted that God filled craftsmen with wisdom to handle various tasks: "He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers."
In the New Testament, the physical handling of objects is also evident. In
Luke 24:39, after His resurrection, Jesus invites His disciples to handle Him to confirm His physical presence: "Look at My hands and My feet. It is I Myself. Touch Me and see; for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."
Metaphorical HandlingBeyond the physical, the Bible often uses the concept of handling in a metaphorical sense, particularly in relation to the handling of God's Word and spiritual truths. In
2 Timothy 2:15, Paul exhorts Timothy to be diligent in his handling of Scripture: "Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth."
This metaphorical handling extends to the way believers are to manage their lives and relationships. In
Proverbs 15:1, the handling of words is addressed: "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Here, the handling of speech is seen as a reflection of wisdom and godliness.
Moral and Spiritual ImplicationsThe Bible emphasizes the importance of handling one's life and responsibilities with integrity and faithfulness. In
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, believers are encouraged to handle their affairs in a manner that reflects their faith: "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands, just as we instructed you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be dependent on anyone."
The handling of spiritual gifts and responsibilities is also a significant theme. In
1 Peter 4:10, believers are instructed to handle their gifts as stewards of God's grace: "As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another."
ConclusionThe biblical concept of handling encompasses both the physical act of managing objects and the broader spiritual responsibility of managing one's life and faith. Whether in the literal sense of touching and crafting or the metaphorical sense of managing words, relationships, and spiritual gifts, the Bible calls for careful, wise, and faithful handling in all aspects of life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To touch; to feel with the hand; to use or hold with the hand.
2. (v. t.) To manage in using, as a spade or a musket; to wield; often, to manage skillfully.
3. (v. t.) To accustom to the hand; to work upon, or take care of, with the hands.
4. (v. t.) To receive and transfer; to have pass through one's hands; hence, to buy and sell; as, a merchant handles a variety of goods, or a large stock.
5. (v. t.) To deal with; to make a business of.
6. (v. t.) To treat; to use, well or ill.
7. (v. t.) To manage; to control; to practice skill upon.
8. (v. t.) To use or manage in writing or speaking; to treat, as a theme, an argument, or an objection.
9. (v. i.) To use the hands.
10. (n.) That part of vessels, instruments, etc., which is held in the hand when used or moved, as the haft of a sword, the knob of a door, the bail of a kettle, etc.
11. (n.) That of which use is made; the instrument for effecting a purpose; a tool.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
HANDLEhan'-d'-l (kaph): The noun occurs once in Songs 5:5, "handles of the bolt" (the King James Version "lock"). The verb "handle" represents several Hebrew ('achaz, mashakh, taphas, etc.) and Greek (thiggano, Colossians 2:21; pselaphao, Luke 24:39 1 John 1:1) words in the King James Version, but is also sometimes substituted in the Revised Version (British and American) for other renderings in the King James Version, as in Songs 3:8 for "hold"; in Luke 20:11, "handled shamefully," for "entreated shamefully"; in 2 Timothy 2:15, "handling aright," for "rightly dividing," etc.
Greek
821. atimoo -- handle shamefully. ... handle shamefully.
... Cognate: 821 -- to
handle shamefully (dishonorably); to treat
with indignity (literally, "without any honor," see Mk 12:4). See 820 ().
... 2345. thiggano -- to touch
... to touch. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: thiggano Phonetic Spelling:
(thing-gan'-o) Short Definition: I touch, handle Definition: I touch, handle, injure ...
5584. pselaphao -- to feel or grope about
... to feel or grope about. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: pselaphao Phonetic
Spelling: (psay-laf-ah'-o) Short Definition: I feel, touch, handle, grope for ...
3718. orthotomeo -- to cut straight
... straight. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: orthotomeo Phonetic Spelling:
(or-thot-om-eh'-o) Short Definition: I cut straight, handle correctly Definition ...
1389. doloo -- to ensnare, fig. to adulterate
... to adulterate NASB Word Usage adulterating (1). handle deceitfully. From dolos;
to ensnare, ie (figuratively) adulterate -- handle deceitfully. see GREEK dolos. ...
4400. procheirizo -- to put into the hand, to take into one's hand ...
... choose, make. Middle voice from pro and a derivative of cheir; to handle for oneself
in advance, ie (figuratively) to purpose -- choose, make. see GREEK pro. ...
631. apomasso -- to wipe off
... myself off. Word Origin from apo and masso (to handle, touch) Definition
to wipe off NASB Word Usage wipe off (1). wipe off. Middle ...
1315a. diacheirizo -- to have in hand, thus to lay hands on ...
... Word Origin from dia and cheirizo (to handle); from cheir Definition to have in
hand, thus to lay hands on (violently) NASB Word Usage put...to death (1), put ...
3145. masaomai -- to chew
... gnaw. From a primary masso (to handle or squeeze); to chew -- gnaw. (emasonto) --
1 Occurrence. 3144, 3145. masaomai. 3146 . Strong's Numbers.
5530. chraomai -- to use, make use of
... Middle voice of a primary verb (perhaps rather from cheir, to handle); to furnish
what is needed; (give an oracle, "graze" (touch slightly), light upon, etc ...
Strong's Hebrew
5401b. nashaq -- probably to handle or be equipped with... 5401a, 5401b. nashaq. 5402 . probably to
handle or be equipped with.
Transliteration: nashaq Short Definition: equipped. Word Origin a prim.
... 5325. nitstsab -- haft, hilt (of a sword)
... 5324, 5325. nitstsab. 5326 . haft, hilt (of a sword). Transliteration: nitstsab
Phonetic Spelling: (nits-twawb') Short Definition: handle. ...
8610. taphas -- to lay hold of, wield
... root Definition to lay hold of, wield NASB Word Usage arrested (2), capture (2),
captured (8), caught (5), grasp (1), grasps (1), handle (4), handled (1), hold ...
270. achaz -- to grasp, take hold, take possession
... 1), attached (1), bolt (1), catch (1), caught (3), drawn (2), fastened (3), grasp
(2), grasped (1), grasps (1), gripped (1), grips (1), handle (1), have ...
4184. mush -- to feel
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to feel NASB Word Usage feel (3). feel, handle.
A primitive root; to touch -- feel, handle. 4183, 4184. mush. 4185 . ...
3032. yadad -- to cast a lot
... cast. A primitive root; properly, to handle (compare yadah), ie To throw, eg Lots --
cast. see HEBREW yadah. 3031, 3032. yadad. 3033 . Strong's Numbers.
6086. ets -- tree, trees, wood
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition tree, trees, wood NASB Word Usage carpenters*
(4), framework (1), gallows (9), handle (1), logs (1), shaft (3 ...
4900. mashak -- to draw, drag
... to prolong, to develop, to march, to remove, to delay, to be tall, etc.) -- draw
(along, out), continue, defer, extend, forbear, X give, handle, make (pro ...
6186. arak -- to arrange or set in order
... wide variety of applications) -- put (set) (the battle, self) in array, compare,
direct, equal, esteem, estimate, expert (in war), furnish, handle, join (battle ...
4600. maak -- to press, squeeze
... bruised, stuck, be pressed. A primitive root; to press, ie To pierce, emasculate,
handle -- bruised, stuck, be pressed. 4599, 4600. maak. 4601 . ...
Library
As in a Race Saw I the Disputers, the Children of Strife, [Trying] ...
... As in a race saw I the disputers, the children of strife, [trying] to taste fire,
to see the air, to handle the light: they were troubled at the gleaming, and ...
I am Unwilling to Go on to Handle Again what Cyprian Poured Forth. ...
... Book V. Chapter 25. " 36. I am unwilling to go on to handle again what
Cyprian poured forth? "36. I am unwilling to go on ...
The vicariousness of Prayer
... dealing with men, and the life. If it were only texts or men we had to handle!
But we have to handle the gospel. We have to lift up ...
May one Lose the Blessing?
... So he put out his hand and took it," and having re-fixed the axe-head on the handle,
he went on again with his felling (verses 5-7). Where was it that the ...
Chapter twenty-eight
... steps. He clutched his broom handle tightly and began to sweep again. ... desperately.
His fingers were purple as he clutched the handle of the broom. ...
Concerning Bishops and the Lower Orders who Wait Upon the Most ...
... Notes. Ancient Epitome of Canon XXV. Those who handle holy things should abstain
even from their own wives at the times of their ministration. ...
On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xxiv. 36, "He Himself Stood in ...
... See My hands and My feet," where I was fixed with the nails. "Handle and see."
But ye see, and yet do not see. "Handle and see." What? ...
1 John i. 1-ii. 11
... which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, [1993] and our hands have
handled, of the word of life." Who is he that with hands doth handle the Word ...
Christ was Possessed of a Body after his Resurrection.
... When, for instance, He came to those who were with Peter, He said to them, "Lay
hold, handle Me, and see that I am not an incorporeal spirit." [991] And ...
The Apostle Has Made Known to us Certain Three Unions...
... "Remember that Christ Jesus rose again from the dead of the seed of David, according
to my Gospel." [1890] And Christ Jesus Himself saith, "Handle and see ...
Thesaurus
Axe (19 Occurrences)... It is wielded by a wooden helve or
handle, so fixed in a socket or eye
as to be in the same plane with the blade. The broadax, or
...Treat (53 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To handle; to manage; to use; to bear one's self
toward; as, to treat prisoners cruelly; to treat children kindly. ...
Plow (11 Occurrences)
... The first plows were probably an adaptation of the ancient Egyptian hoe, where the
handle was lengthened in order that animals might be hitched to it. ...
Shaft (13 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The long handle of a spear or similar weapon; hence, the weapon itself;
(Fig.) anything regarded as a shaft to be thrown or darted; as, shafts of light ...
Mill (9 Occurrences)
... the lower of which was called the "nether millstone" (Job 41:24) and the upper the
"rider." The upper stone was turned round by a stick fixed in it as a handle...
Zebulun (46 Occurrences)
... In Deborah's song the words, "Out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer"
(Judges 5:14) has been rendered in the RV, "They that handle the marshal's ...
Shield (65 Occurrences)
... Of the Gadites there separated themselves to David to the stronghold in the wilderness,
mighty men of valor, men trained for war, that could handle shield and ...
Lampstand (38 Occurrences)
... There is sometimes a loop handle affixed on the side opposite to the spout.
Sometimes the handle is horizontal, but commonly vertical. ...
Ludim (3 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 46:9 Go up, you horses; and rage, you chariots; and let the mighty men
go forth: Cush and Put, who handle the shield; and the Ludim, who handle and ...
Libyans (6 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 46:9 Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men
come forth; the Ethiopians and the Libyans, that handle the shield; and the ...
Resources
What is the proper way to handle sin in my life? | GotQuestions.orgHow should Christian parents handle the death of a child? | GotQuestions.orgDoes God promise to not give us more than we can handle? | GotQuestions.orgHandle: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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