1. To Touch, Handle

The words ἅπτομαι, θιγγάνω, and ψηλυφάω are all translated ‘touch' in the A. V.; the two latter are also rendered ‘handle.' ἅπτομαι (from ἅπτω, ‘to connect') signifies ‘to touch freely, handle.' This was the touch the Lord gave to the leper, but was not defiled, Luke 5:1313And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. (Luke 5:13); and this was the grasp of faith of the woman who touched the border of His garment, and was healed, chap. 8:44-47; and this was the touch that the Lord bade Mary to refrain from after His resurrection. John 20:1717Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. (John 20:17).
θιγγάνω is ‘to touch lightly.' The sprinkling of the blood prevented the destroying angel from in any way touching the Israelites. Heb. 11:2828Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. (Hebrews 11:28). ἅπτομαι and θιγγάνω occur in Col. 2:2121(Touch not; taste not; handle not; (Colossians 2:21), but the meanings are transposed in the A. V. The philosophers say "Handle not, taste not, touch not." θιγγάνω occurs elsewhere only in Heb. 12:2020(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: (Hebrews 12:20).