Kiss in Biblical History

Bible History

Schaff's Bible Dictionary

Definitions in Biblical History
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What is a Kiss?
KISS
, a salutation of respect and affection used in most nations and from the earliest times. It was an established custom in Jacob's day. It is especially common in the East. It is spoken of between parents and children. Gen 27:26; Gen 31:28, Gen 31:55; Gen 48:10; Gen 50:1; Ex 18:7; Ruth 1:9, 2 Kgs 22:14; 2 Sam 14:33; 1 Kgs 19:20; Luke 15:20; between male relatives or friends. Gen 29:13; Gen 33:4; Gen 45:15; Ex 4:27; 1 Sam 20:41; between persons of equal rank, given sometimes honestly, sometimes deceitfully. 2 Sam 20:9; Ps 85:10; Prov 27:6; Luke 7:45; Luke 22:48; Acts 20:37. It was used as a mark of condescension, 2 Sam 15:5; 2 Sam 19:39; of respect, Luke 7:38, 1 Chr 2:46; 1 Sam 10:1; of reconciliation, Gen 33:4; 2 Sam 14:33; of leavetaking. Gen 31:55; Ruth 1:14; Acts 20:37; of homage, Ps 2:12; as an act symbolical of Christian love and brotherhood. Rom 16:16; 1 Cor 16:20; 2 Cor 13:12; 1 Thess 5:26; 1 Pet 5:14. Kissing the lips was a token of love; on the cheek or forehead or beard, a kiss was a sign of respect or a salute; on the hands or feet, of submission or inferiority, Luke 7:45. Sometimes the writing of the king was received with a kiss, and even the ground was kissed where the superior had stepped. Ps 72:9; Isa 49:23. Respect or adoration of idols was shown by kissing the image or the hand toward the image. 1 Kgs 19:18; Hos 13:2. In the Christian Church the kiss of peace or holy kiss accompanied social worship during and long after apostolic days. The Greek and Russian Catholics kiss sacred images. The Hebrew word is translated "ruled," Gen 41:40; "armed," 1 Chr 12:2; 2 Chr 17:17 and Ps 78:9; "touched." Eze 3:13. The Greek word translated "kiss" in Matt 26:48, and the parallel passages, Mark 14:44 and Luke 22:48, is translated "love" in all other places. This extreme sign of affection and most familiar act has been used constantly in worship. The character of the act and its association gave a peculiar aggravation to the kiss with which the traitor saluted our Lord.

Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'kiss' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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