Cheir denotes bodily hands in touch, work, gesture, and laying hands on people, and can mark agency or control.

In the supplied verses, cheir most often refers to bodily hands used for touching, working, gesturing, holding, and handling. It also occurs in the act of placing hands on people, in expressions of custody or another's control, and in clauses that identify the means or agency through which an action is done.

1. Bodily hands in action, touch, or gesture · dominant

   The noun identifies physical hands in concrete actions: in 1 John 1:1 the APB renders that the plural nominative hands "touched," while in Ephesians 4:28 plural dative hands are the means of honest work. In Acts 12:17 and Acts 28:3, singular forms occur respectively in a silencing gesture and where a snake fastens itself on Paul's hand.

   1 John 1:1Ephesians 4:28Acts 12:17Acts 28:3Luke 15:221 Corinthians 4:12
2. Hands placed on a person · common

   Plural forms occur in clauses about placing hands on people. In Acts 9:17 the APB renders Ananias "laying his hands" on Saul in connection with restored sight and being filled with the Holy Spirit; Acts 13:3 describes hands being laid on those sent off after fasting and prayer. In Acts 28:8, the same action accompanies Paul's prayer and the sick man's healing.

   Acts 9:17Acts 13:3Acts 28:8Acts 8:171 Timothy 4:142 Timothy 1:6
3. Hand as custody or another's control · occasional

   The term occurs in clauses of arrest, restraint, rescue, and delivery. In Acts 4:3 the APB renders opponents laying hands on people and placing them in custody; in Acts 12:11 Peter is rescued from "the hand of Herod." Acts 21:11 describes a man being delivered "into the hands of Gentiles."

   Acts 4:3Acts 12:11Acts 21:11John 7:30Acts 5:18Acts 28:17
4. Hand in expressions of agency or means · occasional

   Singular and plural forms can identify the means through which an action is attributed or carried out. In Acts 11:21 the APB renders "the hand of the Lord" as being with the speakers as many turn to the Lord, and Acts 4:30 speaks of God stretching out a hand to heal. Acts 14:3 describes signs and wonders being done "through their hands," while Acts 11:30 reports aid sent "by the hand" of Barnabas and Saul.

   Acts 11:21Acts 4:30Acts 14:3Acts 11:30Acts 2:23Acts 17:25

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the term with "hand" or "hands," including bodily actions such as touching, working, and signaling. It also uses phrases such as "laid their hands," "by the hand," and "into the hands"; These renderings show the clauses' presentation rather than a fixed English equivalent.