Blasphemy

In ancient times the outstretched right arm was an emblem of authority while the shortness of the arm or hand spoke of authority that had been diminished and extended only to a certain point. King Artaxerxes eventually reigned over an empire that was so far reaching that he was named "Artaxerxes Longimanus" which means long-handed, because the far reaching boundaries of his empire encompassed the known world.

It was common custom that a king would reduce the reach of his right hand after a covenant or concession to a neighboring kingdom was made, thus showing that he was willingly reducing his authority and strength over that land and people.

There are over sixty references to the right hand of God in the O.T. and the N.T. Many of these references are specific. In many cases they refer to the strength of God to save, heal, provide, and to destroy.

It is important to differentiate between the left and right hand. For instance, Ecclesiastes 10:2 says:
“A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.”

thus indicating a real difference in import between the two.

samal Left. The left hand represents wickedness and a resource of diminished strength and ability. The left hand is the hand utilized for functions considered impolite to discuss. One who was left handed was considered a wicked person, and use of the left hand was discouraged (and is still discouraged) in children. The text of the Hebrews and other cultures of ancient derivation are read from right to left because the result of the tools used to write in the clay or stone were observed best when writing in that direction. It was difficult to have precision when using the left hand on the tool. It is also interesting to note that in the ancient script, the word “left” begins with the letter “sin”

The “right hand” is translated form the ancient word yamiyn:
Right: The right hand or the direction of the right hand.
This word literally means toward the south. Because east is the principle cardinal direction, when facing east this implies the right side points to the south. The correct translation is, since this is “toward the south”, is the right side. This word is a child root of miyn. All child roots share the basic meaning of the parent root from which they derive. Child root formation is to produce grammatical changes such as gender, verb tense, nouns, and pronouns form the parent verb.

The parent root miyn is defined as: action of verb form: Firm concrete concept: Kind abstract meaning: Sure: The pictograph of mem is a picture of water or other liquid such as blood, the nun is a picture of a seed representing continuance. Combined these mean "blood continues" and gives the meaning of strength through the blood. Each species (kind) continues by passing its blood to the following generation, which comes from the parent.

Another child root of this word is aman which is literally to be firm like a pillar commonly translated as faithful.

The Biblical reference to the strength of the Right Hand is a common idiomatic phrase in Hebrew writing meaning “enough strength to accomplish any task and a continuing supply of it”.

It is important theologically and doctrinally in that this phrase is used to describe Jesus Christ. Many assume it means that Jesus is in heaven seated next to the Father, this is completely wrong. There is no other referent anywhere in the Bible that suggests there is a physical seat next to the throne, or that there could be anyone seated there. This word, throne, is also idiomatic and refers to the seat of power and authority. To have a second one would diminish the authority of the actual throne, and this contravenes the Bible which states emphatically that all authority in heaven and Earth is given unto Jesus. This would then be a complete contradiction in the bible.

The right hand of God, as it applies to Jesus Christ, must mean that He is the holder of all the power and authority of God in himself. Jesus is not seated next to the Father in heaven as the Bible declares he is the Father.

An example of that power in His right hand is related in that situation where the Apostle found himself in a stormy sea:

Mat 14:30-32 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

The power to heal was in His hand as well:

Mar 1:41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

Jesus used this physical expression of reaching out the hand indicating that there is no limit to His authority, and He can grant forgiveness, and has power over death. To the Jewish leaders this was a blasphemous thing, using this physical expression and thus identifying Himself as the Almighty.

Mat 26:64-65 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.

The High Priest was charging Jesus with blasphemy because he made himself God. How did he say that? Jesus was claiming to be the right hand of God.