Q:

meaning of a phrase

I am reading a novel. I faced the expression hand to god and I don't know the meaning.
The paragraph is: 

Jack's daddy was a sheriff, his granddaddy was sheriff, and hand to god, his grandma too. 

Thanks in advance. 

A:

This is just a way of swearing to the truth of what one is saying. Variations include:

I swear to God
God be my witness
I swear on the Bible
By all that is Holy
God's truth
Right hand to God
Hand on my heart
etc.

