Gestures of Approach

“Gestures of approach” (or “threshold rituals”) refer to sacred gestures, movements, or actions conducted by worshippers as they approach God in the temple. These gestures facilitate the transition from a profane setting to a sacred place and prepare the individual for entrance into holy, more holy, and most holy spheres; they also serve to spiritually elevate those who participate in the gestures. But note that it is only after participating in these gestures that the worshipper is permitted to approach God in His perfect state of holiness. There are many biblical texts that deal with sacred gestures.

The following is a brief list, representative and not comprehensive, of several gestures of approach in ancient Israelite temples. They are not necessarily listed in the order that they occurred by actual temple worshippers. Most of the gestures will be dealt with more fully below in subsequent sections.

The removal of profane items. For example, God commanded Moses to “put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground” (Ex. 3:5). Joshua also had a similar experience (see Josh. 5:15).

Ritual ablutions, or washing with water. This practice is referred to in a number of scriptural passages. For example, Exodus 29:4 states, “Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water” (see also Ex. 30:19–20; 40:12).

Anointing with olive oil (see Ex. 29:7; 40:13). This is a sacred rite that followed ritual ablutions but preceded the vesting rite.

Investiture of sacred vestments (see Ex. 28; 40:13). Rather than wear commonplace clothing, priests and high priests wore vestments that were holy (see Ex. 28:2–3), or set apart from the world.

Laying on of hand(s) on sacrificial animals. For example, “Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel” (Lev. 16:21).

Offering of a variety of sacrifices for various occasions. The law of sacrifice is a very ancient institution. During the Mosaic period, these included burnt, grain, peace, sin, and trespass and guilt offerings.

Filling the priest’s hand. For an explanation of filling the hand, see “Priests,” Bible Dictionary.131 This deals with Moses filling the hand of the priests.

Prayer with “uplifted hands.” This is a well-attested biblical doctrine (see entry “Hands—Prayer with ‘Uplifted Hands’ [D&C 88:120; 109:17–19]).”

Sprinkling with blood. The blood of sacrificial victims was sprinkled on the temple altar, on Aaron and his sons, on their garments, on the mercy seat, and on the cleansed leper.

Offering incense at the golden altar. Incense was burned on this altar twice daily, and once a year the high priest was commanded to “make an atonement upon the horns . . . with the blood of the sin offering” (Ex. 30:7–10).

Entering the veil. Leviticus 16 reveals instructions regarding entering the veil (see Lev. 16:2, 12, 15, 23).

In our temples, both females and males participate equally in a series of gestures of approach.

Under the subheading of “Names, Signs, and Seals,” Nibley explains how certain gestures were used in the ancient camp of Israel: “As one approaches the camp of Israel, carefully guarded in a dangerous environment, one first gives a sign to be seen from afar. Then, being recognized, one approaches and at closer range gives his name. This establishes closer identity. Nomen est omen: every name is an epithet indicating exactly in the manner of a token above a distinguishing mark, indication, or characteristic trait, which distinguishes one from all other members of the society. . . . After the sign and the name comes the closest approach, an actual handclasp or embrace.”132

Cutaway of tabernacle illustrates locations of worshippers’ gestures of approach and ceremonial movements as they approach God in the temple.

So too, many of the world’s great religions, including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Shintoism, Sikhism, and Taoism, utilize gestures of one sort or another during their religious services. For example, many adherents of the Catholic or the Orthodox (Eastern rite) Churches participate in religious services with one or more of the following gestures: bowing, standing, genuflection, sign of the cross, bowing the head, using holy water, striking the breast, and/or placing ashes on the forehead. Furthermore, the Trinitarian Blessing, the Christogram (or IX XC Blessing, an abbreviation for the Greek words Jesus Christ), and the Benediction hand gestures are all conducted with the hand and fingers. Some of these gestures are entrance rituals, meaning they are gestured when one enters the church or cathedral. Some of the gestures belonging to the world’s religions constitute altered remnants or echoes of the sacred gestures of ancient temples, as referred to in the Bible.