560. Sign of Submission

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This is a beautiful Orientalism denoting submission, and probably has some relation to the custom of giving the hand in pledge of a covenant. See note on Proverbs 11:2121Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. (Proverbs 11:21) (#461). There are several texts where the expression is used: “We have given the hand to the Egyptians, and to the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread” (Lam. 5:66We have given the hand to the Egyptians, and to the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread. (Lamentations 5:6)). When Hezekiah sent throughout all Israel and Judah his proclamation for a passover, he said to the people, among other things, “yield yourselves unto the Lord” (2 Chron. 30:88Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the Lord, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the Lord your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you. (2 Chronicles 30:8)). This is literally, “give the hand to Jehovah.” At the beginning of Solomon’s reign it is said: “And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king” (1 Chron. 29:2424And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king. (1 Chronicles 29:24)). This is literally, “gave the hand under Solomon.”
This identical form is said by Roberts to be used in India at the present time. When two have quarreled, and one makes acknowledgment, he is said to “put his hand under.” The same is said when a rebellious son submits to his father. The expression is not altogether figurative. When one submits to a superior he stoops, and moves his hands to the ground, saying, “I submit, my lord.” Hence the appropriateness of the language used.