There are a number of uses for ‘hand’ in both OT and NT. It may refer to God's power (e.g. Exod. 14: 27) or providence (Matt. 4: 6) or to that of a despot (Jer. 22: 3). Direction was indicated by the right hand (i.e. the south) or left (north), and the right-hand side is the seat of honour for a guest (1 Kgs. 2: 19) or for the Son with the Father (Heb. 1: 3).