When they had prayed; prayer is the salt which seasoneth and sanctifieth all things. They laid their hands on them; a rite used in the church of old,
1. In their sacrifices, Exodus 29:15;
2. In their blessings, Genesis 48:14
3. In their designations unto a charge or office; thus Moses on Joshua, Numbers 27:18: and from thence it was more easily derived unto the gospel church; our Saviour blessing thus the children which were brought unto him, Matthew 19:13; and this also were ministers ordained in the primitive times, 1 Timothy 5:22.