What is "to lift up the hand"

Lift \Lift\ (l[i^]ft), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lifted; p. pr. & vb. n. Lifting.] [Icel. lypta, fr. lopt air; akin to Sw. lyfta to lift, Dan. l["o]fte, G. l["u]ften; -- prop., to raise into the air. See Loft, and cf. 1st Lift.]

1. To move in a direction opposite to that of gravitation; to raise; to elevate; to bring up from a lower place to a higher; to upheave; sometimes implying a continued support or holding in the higher place; -- said of material things; as, to lift the foot or the hand; to lift a chair or a burden.

2. To raise, elevate, exalt, improve, in rank, condition, estimation, character, etc.; -- often with up.

   The Roman virtues lift up mortal man.
   --Addison.

   Lest, being lifted up with pride.
   --1 Tim. iii. 6.

3. To bear; to support. [Obs.]
   --Spenser.

4. To collect, as moneys due; to raise.

5. [Perh. a different word, and akin to Goth. hliftus thief, hlifan to steal, L. clepere, Gr. kle`ptein. Cf. Shoplifter.] To steal; to carry off by theft (esp. cattle); as, to lift a drove of cattle. Note: In old writers, lift is sometimes used for lifted. He ne'er lift up his hand but conquered. --Shak. To lift up, to raise or elevate; in the Scriptures, specifically, to elevate upon the cross. --John viii. 28. To lift up the eyes. To look up; to raise the eyes, as in prayer. --Ps. cxxi.

   1. To lift up the feet, to come speedily to one's relief.
      --Ps. lxxiv. 3.

      To lift up the hand. (a) To take an oath.
      --Gen. xiv. 2

   2. (b) To pray. --Ps. xxviii. 2. (c) To engage in duty. --Heb. xii. 12. To lift up the hand against, to rebel against; to assault; to attack; to injure; to oppress. --Job xxxi. 2

      1. To lift up one's head, to cause one to be exalted or to rejoice.
         --Gen. xl. 1

   3. 
      --Luke xxi. 28.

      To lift up the heel against, to treat with insolence or unkindness.
      --John xiii.18.

      To lift up the voice, to cry aloud; to call out.
      --Gen. xxi. 1