55. And He laid His right hand upon me, signifies life then inspired from Him. The reason why the Lord "laid His right hand upon him," is, because communication is effected by the touch of the hands. The reason is that the life of the mind, and thence of the body, puts itself forth into the arms, and through them into the hands. On this account:
The Lord touched with His hands those whom He restored to life and healed (Mark 1:31, 41; 7:32-33; 8:22-26; 10:13, 16; Luke 5:12-13; 7:14; 18:15; 22:51). And in like manner:
After His disciples saw Jesus transfigured, and they fell on the face (Matt. 17:6-7). The origin of this is, because the presence of the Lord with man is adjunction, and thus conjunction by contiguity; and this contiguity is near and fuller in proportion as man loves the Lord, that is, does His commandments. From these few things it may appear, that by "laying His right had upon him," is signified inspiring him with His life.