The Bible does not directly address left-handedness very much. However, there are a few passages that give some insight into how left-handedness was viewed in biblical times. Overall, the Bible seems to present a neutral or ambivalent perspective on left-handedness.
Left-handedness in the Bible
Here are some of the main biblical passages that mention left-handedness:
- Ehud, one of the judges of Israel, was left-handed and used this to his advantage when assassinating the Moabite king Eglon (Judges 3:15-22).
- The Benjamites were known for having many left-handed warriors who could “sling a stone at a hair and not miss” (Judges 20:16).
- When writing down the Ten Commandments, God wrote on the tablets with His right hand (Exodus 31:18). This implies left-handedness may have been seen as less dominant or favored.
- Jesus mentions the right and left hands in Matthew 25:33-34, 41 when separating the sheep from the goats. The right hand symbolizes righteousness and the left wickedness in this passage.
- Jesus also mentions the right and left hands when speaking about the places of honor in the kingdom in Matthew 20:21-23. The right hand again represents the favored position.
From these passages, we get the impression that left-handedness would have been uncommon in biblical cultures. The right hand was seen as the hand of power and honor. But the Bible does not present being left-handed as inherently wrong or prohibited.
Left-handedness as unusual or unexpected
The main takeaway from Scripture is that left-handedness was not the norm. Most people were right-handed, as is still the case today. So left-handedness was unusual and out of the ordinary.
For example, the passage about Ehud makes a point to specifically mention he was left-handed. This would have been an unexpected trait for a leader and judge over Israel. Ehud’s left-handedness gave him an advantage in carrying out the assassination of Eglon. But the text does not condemn Ehud for this, but rather presents it as a positive cunning strategy.
Likewise, the description of the Benjamite warriors emphasizes their distinctiveness in having many left-handed slingers and shooters. This left-handed military brigade was seen as an asset and advantage, not something sinful.
So while lefthandedness was not the norm, it was not viewed as inherently bad when mentioned in Scripture. It was simply seen as different and unexpected compared to the right-handed majority.
Can left-handedness represent weakness or wickedness?
A surface reading of some passages may give the impression that left-handedness is equated with weakness or wickedness. For example, God writing the commandments with His right hand or Jesus speaking of the right and left hands in judgment scenes.
However, it is likely the broader cultural context that associated the right with strength and honor, and the left with weakness and dishonor. Scripture uses this familiar imagery in these passages. But the Bible does not make an overall theological statement that left-handedness itself is wicked or wrong.
In biblical times, the left hand was used for unclean tasks. So it represented ritual impurity and was seen as less dignified. But the Bible promotes cleanliness and holiness for both hands. Nowhere does it state left-handedness is evil or connected to spiritual darkness.
So while some imagery uses left-handedness to represent weakness or wickedness, this reflects cultural views more than a biblical condemnation of left-handed people. Left-handedness itself is not presented as sinful.
Left-handedness as natural human variation
Though not directly stated, the neutral mentions of left-handed people in the Bible imply left-handedness is viewed as natural human variation, not something evil or aberrant.
Just as people have differences in height, voice tone, or facial features, left-handedness is presented as an aspect of diversity within human creation. The Bible upholds justice and accommodation for those who are different, including the left-handed minority.
God’s care and sovereignty extends over all types of people, whether right or left-handed. Any spiritual or moral judgments should be based on righteousness of heart, not externals like which hand one favors.
The Bible focuses on changing sinful hearts, not superficial traits we cannot control. So lefthandedness is not condemned, but rather part of natural diversity.
Left-handedness and holiness
Can left-handed people live holy lives and serve God with their whole self? According to Scripture, absolutely!
While the Bible acknowledges cultural biases against the left hand, nowhere does it prohibit left-handed people from following God wholeheartedly. Left-handers like Ehud were used mightily by God as deliverers and leaders.
The emphasis is on consecrating ALL aspects of oneself to God – heart, mind, and body. Hand dominance or preference is irrelevant compared to the state of one’s soul and righteous living.
With God’s empowering grace, left-handed believers can offer themselves fully in worship and service. Their hands, although different from the majority, can be instruments of justice, creativity, and charity that glorify God.
Advice for left-handed Christians
What practical encouragement does the Bible offer left-handers today? Here are some points of advice:
- Accept your left-handedness as natural and God-given, not something shameful (Psalm 139:13-14).
- Be grateful for unique left-handed gifts and abilities (1 Corinthians 12:4-6).
- Consecrate your whole self, including your left hand, to glorify God (Romans 12:1).
- Let any persecution or exclusion drive you closer to God (Matthew 5:11-12).
- Advocate for other left-handed people who face needless discrimination.
- Focus on developing righteous character over superficial traits (1 Samuel 16:7).
- Seek to serve others in Christ’s name with grace and truth (Mark 10:45, John 1:14).
In summary, the Bible provides an affirming and holistic vision for left-handed believers to love God and neighbor wholeheartedly.
Historical church practice concerning left-handedness
For much of Christian history, left-handed people faced ignorance, superstitions and discrimination from the church. Left-handedness was sometimes seen as:
- A sign of evil, curse or demonic influence
- Grounds for exclusion from clergy roles
- Associated with antisocial behavior and criminality
- An indicator of general moral and spiritual corruption
- Warranting correction to force right-handedness
However, these stigmatizing attitudes had no real biblical basis. They stemmed from cultural taboos and fears surrounding left-handedness in the ancient Greco-Roman world, which wrongly infiltrated church practice and theology.
Specific church reforms and practices concerning left-handed people included:
- Forcing left-handed children to use their right hand for eating, writing, sports, etc.
- Associating left-handedness with witchcraft and sorcery.
- Barring left-handed people from entering clergy roles or monastic orders.
- Advocating special rituals or prayers to correct left-handed tendencies.
- Relegating left-handed church members to only minor roles.
Thankfully, modern understanding of left-handedness as a natural trait has helped remove this stigma in the church. While negative perceptions may still persist to some degree, most churches welcome and celebrate left-handed believers without discrimination today.
Famous left-handed Christians
Here are a few noteworthy left-handed Christians throughout history:
- St. Peter: Tradition holds that the lead apostle was left-handed. He used this to his advantage in sword fighting.
- Charlemagne: The medieval Holy Roman Emperor was left-handed and unusually tall.
- Judith of Hungary: This saintly princess was left-handed but learnt to use her right hand to embroider priestly robes.
- Henry II of England: The first Plantagenet king was left-handed, tall, and had a volatile temper.
- Joan of Arc: The heroic French martyr led armies to victory wielding her sword left-handed.
- King David: Though his handedness is not specified, medieval art often portrayed the psalmist as left-handed.
- C.S. Lewis: The famous 20th century Christian author and apologist wrote with his left hand.
- Jimi Hendrix: This pioneering left-handed guitarist fused blues and rock into new sonic landscapes.
- Justin Welby: The current Archbishop of Canterbury is left-handed and once wanted to be a surgeon.
While still a minority, these left-handed heroes highlight that many significant Christians lived out their faith as lefthanders.
Should left-handedness be encouraged or suppressed?
Given the biblical record and facts we know today, left-handedness should be accepted and encouraged, not suppressed. Reasons include:
- It is a natural variant God allows within His creative design.
- Suppressing it causes distress and hinders individual gifts and talents.
- It provides diversity within the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:14-20).
- It gives unique symbolism of God accepting the weak and ordinary (1 Corinthians 1:27).
- Forcing right-handedness violates individual choice and conscience.
- Left-handers can live holy lives and serve God fully (2 Timothy 2:21).
The Bible upholds justice, inclusion, and accommodation for those considered unusual or ‘different’. Forcing conformity rejects these values. Jesus accepted all and we should follow His example (Luke 5:30-32).
In conclusion, promoting left-handedness allows believers to wholly honor God with their distinctive gifts and talents. Suppressing it unjustly restricts individuals created in God’s image.
Left-handedness and the end times
Some Christians have looked for esoteric biblical meanings concerning left-handedness and the end times. But there is no solid Scriptural basis for such speculations. Any apparent connections are weak and fanciful.
For example, some claim:
- Being left-handed is a sign of the beast’s mark and allegiance with darkness.
- Left-handers are part of the wicked ‘goats’ destined for eternal judgment (Matthew 25:33).
- The Antichrist will force everyone to use their left hand.
- Left-handers will be more prone to being deceived by Satan.
However, these superstitious assertions have no real biblical merit. Scripture contains no prophecy that clearly predicts left-handers will serve evil roles during the last days.
The Bible focuses on spiritual redemption through Christ, not superficial traits like handedness. Believers should avoid prophetic sensationalism lacking solid Scriptural grounding.
In summary, left-handedness has no direct biblical connection to end time events. Proper interpretation requires responsible exegesis in context.
Conclusion
The Bible does not make definitive theological pronouncements for or against left-handedness. It provides a balanced perspective acknowledging handedness as part of natural human diversity under God’s sovereignty.
Scripture promotes inclusion and holiness more than forced conformity. Left-handed believers can serve God fully with their distinct gifts and traits. They should find affirmation and sanctification in Christ.
Churches today should celebrate and accommodate left-handed members, not stigmatize them unjustly. With creative biblical fidelity, left-handers and right-handers together can build God’s kingdom.
