Ezekiel 21:14. Thou therefore, son of man, prophesy, and smite thine hands together.
Several different emotions seem to have been represented at different times by the action of smiting the hands, all of which we group in one note.
1. It was sometimes a sign of contempt. Of the wicked rich man Job says, “Men shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place” (Job 27:23). Jeremiah represents Jerusalem as so desolate that all the passersby clap their hands at her. See Lamentations 2:15.
2. It was sometimes a sign of anger. When Balaam blessed Israel, instead of cursing them, “Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together” (Num. 24:10). So when the Lord beheld the wickedness of the house of Israel, the representation of his kindled wrath is expressed in these words: “Behold, therefore I have smitten mine hand at thy dishonest gain which thou hast made, and at thy blood which hath been in the midst of thee” (Ezek. 22:13).
3. It was sometimes a sign of sorrow. In sorrow, for the idolatry of Israel, the Lord commanded Ezekiel to smite with his hand. See Ezekiel 6:11. It was sometimes a sign of triumph. In this manner the Ammonites rejoiced over fallen Israel. God says, “Thou hest clapped thine hands, and stamped with the feet, and rejoiced in heart with all thy despite against the land of Israel” (Ezek. 25:6). It is to be noticed that in this text, and in the one last quoted, clapping the hand is connected with stamping the foot.
It was sometimes the sign of a pledge or an oath. The hand was used for this purpose by uplifting. See note on Genesis 14:22 (#5). A similar purpose was accomplished by two persons striking hands. See note on Proverbs 11:21 (#461). In addition to this, the striking of one hand upon another belonging to the same man was also considered as a pledge of earnestness and of truth. Thus Ezekiel is told in the text to smite his hands together, and in verse 17 the Lord promises to smite his hands together. In both instances there is a pledge to the performance of what is stated.
Smiting the hands together has the signification of an oath in some parts of the East to this day.