Original Word: אֶצְבַּע
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: etsba`
Pronunciation: ets-BAH
Phonetic Spelling: (ets-bah')
KJV: finger, toe
NASB: finger, fingers, fingers and toes, toes
Word Origin: [from the same as H6648 (צֶּבַע - dyed work) (in the sense of grasping)]

1. something to sieze with
2. a finger
3. (by analogy) a toe

finger, toe

From the same as tseba' (in the sense of grasping); something to sieze with, i.e. A finger; by analogy, a toe -- finger, toe.

see HEBREW tseba'

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
a finger
NASB Translation
finger (19), fingers (10), fingers and toes (1), toes (1).

אֶצְבַּע noun feminine^{Leviticus 14:6} finger; — ׳א absolute Isaiah 58:9, construct Exodus 8:15 +; suffix אֶצְבָּעוֺ Leviticus 4:6 +; plural אֶצְבָּעוֺת Jeremiah 52:21, construct אֶצְבְּעֹת 2 Samuel 21:20 +, etc.; —

1 finger, especially

a. forefinger, of priest, applying blood (P), Exodus 29:12; Leviticus 4:6,17,25 8t.; applying oil Leviticus 14:16 (twice in verse); Leviticus 14:27.

b. ׳שְׁלַח א of any one Isaiah 58:9, sign of contempt.

c. of God, as writing Exodus 31:18 (E) Deuteronomy 9:10; = act of God Exodus 8:15 (J).

d. plural of all the fingers 2 Samuel 21:20a; fingers in General Isaiah 2:8; Isaiah 17:8; Isaiah 59:3; Psalm 144:1; Proverbs 7:3; Songs 5:5; of ׳י Psalm 8:4; ׳מֹרֶה בְא Proverbs 6:13 (of contemptuous gesture); as measure of thickness, Jeremiah 52:21 four fingers.

2 toes: אֶצְבְּעֹת רַגְלָיו 2 Samuel 21:20 b, literally fingers of his feet, compare ׳א "" 1 Chronicles 20:6 #NAME?

III. צבע (perhaps √ of following; compare Arabic limp (so Lag^{BN 20}), whence hyena, Syriac id., Late Hebrew צָבוּעַ).

Overview

אֶצְבַּע (etsbaʿ) denotes the finger in its literal sense yet carries rich symbolic and theological nuances across roughly thirty-one Old Testament occurrences. Whether describing human activity, priestly ritual, or divine action, the word consistently underscores precision, intentionality, and personal involvement.

Literal Anatomy and Daily Life

The most straightforward usage designates a human digit (Proverbs 6:13; Song of Solomon 5:5). Scoundrels “signal with their fingers” (Proverbs 6:13), illustrating how a small gesture can convey evil intent. The Shulammite’s “fingers with flowing myrrh” (Song of Solomon 5:5) evokes intimacy and tenderness, showing the word’s versatility in poetic contexts. Psalm 144:1 connects the finger to skill, “Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle,” acknowledging God as the One who equips for service and defense.

The Finger of God: Manifestation of Divine Power

1. Plague Judgments: The Egyptian magicians confess defeat—“This is the finger of God” (Exodus 8:19)—recognizing that the gnats plague lies beyond human sorcery. The phrase magnifies Yahweh’s supremacy; a mere “finger” overwhelms the greatest empire of its day.

2. Creation: “When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers” (Psalm 8:3) stresses God’s effortless artistry in arranging the cosmos. The diminutive imagery contrasts the vast universe with the simplicity of a finger-touch, magnifying divine majesty.

Covenant Revelation and the Written Law

Twice Scripture says the tablets were “inscribed by the finger of God” (Exodus 31:18; Deuteronomy 9:10). The covenant law is therefore not a human construct but a direct, personal engraving from the Lord. His finger secures the permanence and authority of His word, a theme Jesus later echoes when speaking of casting out demons “by the finger of God” (Luke 11:20), tying Mosaic revelation to New Covenant authority.

Priestly Ritual and Atonement

The priest’s finger serves as an intermediary tool in sacrificial rites:

• Consecration of the altar (Exodus 29:12).
• Sin offerings (Leviticus 4:6, 17).
• Priestly ordination (Leviticus 8:15; 9:9).
• Cleansing of lepers (Leviticus 14:16, 25–28).
• Day of Atonement blood application (Leviticus 16:14, 18).
• Red-heifer purification water (Numbers 19:4).

The repeated pattern—dip, sprinkle, apply—highlights precision. A single finger directs blood or oil to the exact place God designates, teaching that atonement is both personal and exacting, never haphazard. Every drop testifies that forgiveness is costly yet meticulously provided.

Gesture of Contempt and Social Sin

Isaiah condemns the “pointing of the finger” (Isaiah 58:9) as part of oppressive behavior that blocks fellowship with the Lord. The seemingly minor act reveals a heart of accusation; genuine fasting must replace accusatory gestures with mercy and justice.

Measurement and Craftsmanship

Jeremiah records that each bronze pillar of Solomon’s Temple was “four fingers thick” (Jeremiah 52:21). The unit (about two inches) reflects skilled craftsmanship and careful engineering—attributes befitting a house built for God’s glory. Ancient builders relied on the finger as a natural, uniform measuring tool.

Historical and Cultural Background

Ancient Near Eastern literature also depicts deities writing or working with a finger, but Scripture uniquely weds the motif to monotheism and covenant grace. Israel’s priests, unlike pagan counterparts, never used fingers for magical incantation; their actions followed divine prescription that pointed beyond ritual to redemption.

Theological Themes

1. Divine Initiative: God’s finger originates both creation and covenant, underscoring that revelation and salvation begin with Him.
2. Mediation: The priestly finger foreshadows the ultimate Mediator who would provide atonement with His own blood.
3. Accountability: Human fingers can glorify God (Psalm 144:1) or express rebellion (Isaiah 58:9), reminding believers that small actions reveal large spiritual realities.

Ministry Implications

• Precision in Obedience: Just as the priest placed blood precisely, ministry today must adhere carefully to God’s Word rather than improvising.
• Recognition of God’s Hand: Leaders should attribute victories to the “finger of God,” cultivating humility and worship rather than self-exaltation.
• Guarded Speech and Gesture: The warning against accusatory pointing calls the church to relational integrity and gracious communication.

Summary

אֶצְבַּע threads through Scripture as a concrete yet profound image: a finger that fashions galaxies, engraves law, applies sacrificial blood, measures temple pillars, and, when misused, wounds neighbors. Believers are summoned to behold the Lord’s mighty finger and to let their own fingers—indeed, their whole lives—serve His precise and holy purposes.

אֶ֝צְבְּעוֹתַ֗י אֶצְבְּעֹתֶ֑יךָ אֶצְבְּעֹתָֽיו׃ אֶצְבְּעֹתָיו֙ אֶצְבַּ֖ע אֶצְבַּ֥ע אֶצְבָּע֖וֹ אֶצְבָּע֣וֹ אֶצְבָּעוֹ֙ אַצְבָּע֖וֹת אצבע אצבעו אצבעות אצבעותי אצבעתיו אצבעתיו׃ אצבעתיך בְּאֶצְבְּעֹתָֽיו׃ בְּאֶצְבַּ֣ע בְּאֶצְבַּ֥ע בְּאֶצְבָּע֑וֹ בְּאֶצְבָּע֔וֹ בְּאֶצְבָּע֖וֹ בְּאֶצְבָּע֛וֹ בְּאֶצְבָּע֣וֹ בְּאֶצְבָּעֶ֑ךָ בְּאֶצְבָּעֽוֹ׃ בְאֶצְבָּע֛וֹ באצבע באצבעו באצבעו׃ באצבעך באצבעתיו׃ וְאֶצְבְּעֹ֣ת וְאֶצְבְּעֹ֨ת וְאֶצְבְּעֹתַי֙ וְאֶצְבְּעֹתָ֤יו וְאֶצְבְּעוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם ואצבעותיכם ואצבעת ואצבעתי ואצבעתיו ’aṣ·bā·‘ō·wṯ ’aṣbā‘ōwṯ ’eṣ·ba‘ ’eṣ·bā·‘ōw ’eṣ·bə·‘ō·ṯāw ’eṣ·bə·‘ō·ṯe·ḵā ’eṣ·bə·‘ō·w·ṯay ’eṣba‘ ’eṣbā‘ōw ’eṣbə‘ōṯāw ’eṣbə‘ōṯeḵā ’eṣbə‘ōwṯay atzbaot bə’eṣba‘ bə’eṣbā‘eḵā bə’eṣbā‘ōw ḇə’eṣbā‘ōw bə’eṣbə‘ōṯāw bə·’eṣ·ba‘ bə·’eṣ·bā·‘e·ḵā bə·’eṣ·bā·‘ōw ḇə·’eṣ·bā·‘ōw bə·’eṣ·bə·‘ō·ṯāw beetzBa beetzbaEcha beetzbaO beetzbeoTav etzBa etzbaO etzbeoTai etzbeoTav etzbeoTeicha veetzbaO veetzbeOt veetzbeoTai veetzbeoTav veetzbeoteiChem wə’eṣbə‘ōṯ wə’eṣbə‘ōṯāw wə’eṣbə‘ōṯay wə’eṣbə‘ōwṯêḵem wə·’eṣ·bə·‘ō·ṯāw wə·’eṣ·bə·‘ō·ṯay wə·’eṣ·bə·‘ō·w·ṯê·ḵem wə·’eṣ·bə·‘ōṯInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts