{
  "id": "dict_001964",
  "term": "Finger of God",
  "slug": "finger-of-god",
  "letter": "F",
  "entry_type": "theological_term",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "“Finger of God” is a biblical expression for God’s direct power and action. It highlights that what is being done comes from God himself, not merely from human or natural causes.",
  "simple_one_line": "",
  "tooltip_text": "",
  "aliases": [],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [],
  "see_also": [],
  "lede_intro": "",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [],
  "description_academic_short": "“Finger of God” is a figurative biblical phrase that points to God’s power at work in a clear and direct way. It is used of God’s writing of the law and of mighty works that reveal his authority. In the Gospels, Jesus uses similar language to show that his ministry is being carried out by the power of God’s Spirit.",
  "description_academic_full": "“Finger of God” is an anthropomorphic biblical expression that speaks of God’s active power and personal intervention in the world. Scripture uses it in contexts that emphasize divine authority, such as the giving of the law and works that unmistakably display God’s hand (for example, Exod. 8:19; 31:18; Deut. 9:10). In Luke 11:20, Jesus says he casts out demons by the “finger of God,” which corresponds to “the Spirit of God” in the parallel passage in Matthew 12:28; this shows that the phrase is figurative language for God’s effective power at work, not a literal bodily member. The safest conclusion is that the expression marks an act as directly attributable to God and, in the New Testament setting, underscores the divine authority present in Jesus’ ministry.",
  "background_biblical_context": "",
  "background_historical_context": "",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "",
  "key_texts_primary": [],
  "key_texts_secondary": [],
  "original_language_note": "",
  "theological_significance": "",
  "philosophical_explanation": "",
  "interpretive_cautions": "",
  "major_views_note": "",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "",
  "practical_significance": "",
  "meta_description": "“Finger of God” is a biblical expression for God’s direct power and action. It highlights that what is being done comes from God himself, not merely from human or natural causes.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/finger-of-god/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/finger-of-god.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}