Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God , and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands…(Hebrews 6:1-2)
The fourth component of the “elementary doctrine of Christ” as found in Hebrews 6:1–2 is “the laying on of hands.” Let’s begin exploring this concept of “laying on of hands.” The first time we see this phrase used in a ritual sense (rather than in the context of violence — “to lay hands on” someone) is in Exodus 19 in reference to the consecration of the priests and then again in Numbers 8 with the consecration of the Levites.
“Then you shall take one of the rams, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram, and you shall kill the ram and shall take its blood and throw it against the sides of the altar” (Exodus 29:15–16).
When you bring the Levites before the Lord, the people of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites, and Aaron shall offer the Levites before the Lord as a wave offering from the people of Israel, that they may do the service of the Lord. (Numbers 8:10–11)
The next time we see this expression used is in the transmission of authority from Moses to Joshua.