"The Divine Handclasp in the Hebrew Bible and in Ancient Near Eastern Iconography"

David Calabro tells us, "A handclasp exchanged between God and his human servant is mentioned in at least ten biblical passages (possibly more, depending on interpretation). This gesture has been understood in various ways: as a means of assumption into eternal life, as an induction into the divine council, as part of a coronation ritual, as a figurative reference to divine aid, or as some combination of these. Divine handclasps are also depicted in ancient Near Eastern art, including that of Egypt. In this paper, I propose a reconstruction of the gesture's form based on details described in the biblical passages and on connections with iconographic sources. I then explore how an understanding of the gesture's form impacts the interpretation of the passages in which the gesture is mentioned." Also see: Mormon Interpreter