Bible Dictionary: Kiss

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Smith's Bible Dictionary

Kiss

Kissing the lips by way of affectionate salutation was customary among near relatives of both sexes, in both patriarchal and later times. (Genesis 29:11; Solomon 8:1) Between individuals of the same sex, and in a limited degree between those of different sexes, the kiss on the cheek as a mark of respect or an act of salutation has at all times been customary in the East, and can hardly be said to be extinct even in Europe. In the Christian Church the kiss of charity was practiced not only as a friendly salutation, but as an act symbolical of love and Christian brotherhood. (Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; 1 Peter 5:14) It was embodied in the earlier Christian offices, and has been continued in some of those now in use. Among the Arabs the women and children kiss the beards of their husbands or fathers. The superior returns the salute by a kiss on the forehead. In Egypt an inferior kisses the hand of a superior, generally on the back, but sometimes, as a special favor, on the palm also. To testify abject submission, and in asking favors, the feet are often kissed instead of the hand. The written decrees of a sovereign are kissed in token of respect; even the ground is sometimes kissed by Orientals int he fullness of their submission. (Genesis 41:40; 1 Samuel 24:8; Psalms 72:9) etc. Kissing is spoken of in Scripture as a mark of respect or adoration to idols. (1 Kings 19:18; Hosea 13:2)

ATS Bible Dictionary

Kiss

This salutation was customary in the East, to express regard and reverence, as well as affection, Gen 29...13; Ru 1...14; Acts 20...37. Sometimes the beard was kissed, 2 Samuel 20:9; and in token of humble affection, the feet, Luke 7:38. Images and the heavenly bodies were worshipped by kissing the hand towards them, 1 Kings 19:18 Job 31:27 Hosea 13:2. The expression, "Kiss the Son," Psalm 2:12, may be illustrated by 1 Samuel 10:1, where king Saul receives the kiss of allegiance from Samuel. This salutation being customary in those days between man and man, was used in the early church as a pledge of Christian peace and charity, Romans 16:16 1 Peter 5:14.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Of affection (Genesis 27:26, 27; 29:13; Luke 7:38, 45); reconciliation (Genesis 33:4; 2 Samuel 14:33); leave-taking (Genesis 31:28, 55; Ruth 1:14; 2 Samuel 19:39); homage (Psalm 2:12; 1 Samuel 10:1); spoken of as between parents and children (Genesis 27:26; 31:28, 55; 48:10; 50:1; Exodus 18:7; Ruth 1:9, 14); between male relatives (Genesis 29:13; 33:4; 45:15). It accompanied social worship as a symbol of brotherly love (Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14). The worship of idols was by kissing the image or the hand toward the image (1 Kings 19:18; Hosea 13:2).

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (v. t.) To salute with the lips, as a mark of affection, reverence, submission, forgiveness, etc.

2. (v. t.) To touch gently, as if fondly or caressingly.

3. (v. i.) To make or give salutation with the lips in token of love, respect, etc.; as, kiss and make friends.

4. (v. i.) To meet; to come in contact; to touch fondly.

5. (n.) A salutation with the lips, as a token of affection, respect, etc.; as, a parting kiss; a kiss of reconciliation.

6. (n.) A small piece of confectionery.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

KISS

(nashaq; phileo, kataphilo, philema): The kiss is common in eastern lands in salutation, etc., on the cheek, the forehead, the beard, the hands, the feet, but not (in Pal) the lips (Cheyne, E B, under the word "Salutations"). In the Bible there is no sure instance of the kiss in ordinary salutation. We have in the Old Testament naschaq, "to kiss," used

(1) of relatives (which seems the origin of the practice of kissing; compare Songs 8:1, "Oh that thou wert as my brother.... I would kiss thee; yea, and none would despise me"); Genesis 27:26, 27 (Isaac and Jacob); 29:11 (Jacob and Rachel); 33:4 (Esau and Jacob); 45:15 (Joseph and his brethren); 48:10 (Jacob and Joseph's sons); 50:1 (Joseph and his father); Exodus 4:27 (Aaron and Moses); 18:7 (Moses and Jethro, united with obeisance); Ruth 1:9, 14 (Naomi and her daughters-in-law-a farewell); 2 Samuel 14:33 (David and Absalom); 1 Kings 19:20 (Elisha and his parents-a farewell); see also Genesis 29:13; Genesis 31:28, 55; Tobit 7:6; 10:12.

(2) Of friendship and affection; compare 1 Samuel 20:41 (David and Jonathan); 2 Samuel 15:5 (Absalom and those who came to him); 19:39 (David and Barzillai-a farewell); 20:9 (Joab and Amasa); Proverbs 27:6 ("the kisses (neshiqah) of an enemy"); 1 Esdras 4:47 ("the king stood up, and kissed him").

(3) Of love; compare Songs 1:2, "Let him kiss me with the kisses (neshiqah) of his mouth"; Proverbs 7:13 (of the feigned love of "the strange woman").

(4) Of homage, perhaps; compare 1 Samuel 10:1 (Samuel after anointing David king); Genesis 41:40, "Unto thy word shall all my people be ruled," the Revised Version margin "order themselves," or "do homage," the King James Version margin "Hebrew be armed or kiss" (nashaq); Psalm 2:12, "Kiss the son" (American Standard Revised Version), the English Revised Version margin "Some versions render, `Lay hold of (or receive) instruction'; others, `Worship in purity' "; some ancient versions give `Kiss (or, do homage) purely.'

(5) Of idolatrous practices; compare 1 Kings 19:18 Hosea 13:2 (compare 8:5, 6; 10:5); Job 31:27, probably, "kissing the hand to the sun or moon" (compare 31:26, 27). See ADORATION.

(6) A figurative use may be seen in Psalm 85:10 Proverbs 24:26 Ezekiel 3:13, where "touched" is nashaq (see the King James Version margin).

(7) In Additions to Esther 13:13 we have "I could have been content.... to kiss the soles of his feet," and in Ecclesiasticus 29:5, "Till he hath received, he will kiss a man's hands"-marks of self-humiliation or abasement.

In the New Testament we have phileo, "to kiss," "to be friendly," and kataphileo, "to kiss thoroughly," "to be very friendly"-the first in Matthew 26:48 Mark 14:44 Luke 22:47, of the kiss with which Judas betrayed his Master. This was probably meant to be taken as an expression of special regard, which is expressed by the kataphileo of Matthew 26:49 Mark 14:45; the same word is used of the woman who kissed the feet of Christ (Luke 7:38, 45); of the father's greeting of the returning prodigal (Luke 15:20); and of the farewell to Paul of the Ephesian Christians (Acts 20:37); philema, "a kiss," "a mark of friendship," is used by our Lord as that which Simon omitted to give him (which may refer to ordinary hospitality), but which the woman had bestowed so impressively (Luke 7:45); of the kiss of Judas (Luke 22:48); and of the "holy kiss" wherewith Christians greeted each other, which, according to the general usage we have seen, would be as the members of one family in the Lord, or as specially united in holy love (Romans 16:16 1 Corinthians 16:20 2 Corinthians 13:12 1 Thessalonians 5:26 1 Peter 5:14). There is reason to believe that, as a rule, men only thus greeted men, and women, women. In the Apostolical Constitutions (3rd century) it is so enjoined.

W. L. Walker

Greek

2705. kataphileo -- to kiss fervently
... to kiss fervently. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kataphileo Phonetic Spelling:
(kat-af-ee-leh'-o) Short Definition: I kiss affectionately Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2705.htm - 7k

5370. philema -- a kiss
... philema. 5371 . a kiss. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: philema
Phonetic Spelling: (fil'-ay-mah) Short Definition: a kiss Definition: a kiss. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5370.htm - 6k

5368. phileo -- to love
... to love. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: phileo Phonetic Spelling:
(fil-eh'-o) Short Definition: I love, kiss Definition: I love (of friendship), regard ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5368.htm - 8k

4352. proskuneo -- to do reverence to
... 4352 (from 4314 , "towards" and , ""-- properly, to kiss the ground when prostrating
before a superior; to , ready "to fall down/prostrate oneself to adore on ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4352.htm - 10k

Strong's Hebrew

5401. nashaq -- to kiss
... 5400, 5401. nashaq. 5401a . to kiss. Transliteration: nashaq Phonetic Spelling:
(naw-shak') Short Definition: kiss. armed men, rule, kiss, that touched ...
/hebrew/5401.htm - 6k

5390. neshiqah -- a kiss
... 5389, 5390. neshiqah. 5391 . a kiss. Transliteration: neshiqah Phonetic Spelling:
(nesh-ee-kaw') Short Definition: kisses. ... kiss. From nashaq; a kiss -- kiss ...
/hebrew/5390.htm - 6k

5401a. nashaq -- to kiss
... 5401, 5401a. nashaq. 5401b . to kiss. Transliteration: nashaq Short
Definition: kissed. Word Origin a prim. root Definition to kiss ...
/hebrew/5401a.htm - 5k

Library

The Stichera of the Last Kiss.
... THE STICHERA OF THE LAST KISS. Deute teleutaion aspasmon domen. ... 9,8,9,8,9,8,9,8,
7,7. John Damascene, 780. Take the last kiss,"the last for ever! ...
/.../neale/hymns of the eastern church/the stichera of the last.htm

Of the Kiss of Peace.
... Chapter XVIII."Of the Kiss of Peace. ... Such as are fasting withhold the kiss of peace,
which is the seal of prayer, after prayer made with brethren. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on prayer/chapter xviii of the kiss of.htm

Verse 1. Let Him Kiss Me with the Kisses of his Mouth.
... COMMENTARY. CHAPTER I. VERSE 1. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth. ... All
these unions are divine embraces"but they are not the Kiss of His mouth. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/verse 1 let him kiss.htm

Betrayed by a Kiss.
... CHAPTER IV. BETRAYED BY A KISS. The foulest ... out. I will hasten up to him,
and the man whom I shall kiss; that is he; bind him!". Then ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stead/king of the jews/chapter iv betrayed by a.htm

That Love Tends to Union.
... Now making the spouse or bride begin first by manner of a certain surprise of love,
he first puts into her mouth this ejaculation: Let him kiss me with the ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter ix that love tends.htm

That we Cannot Attain to Perfect Union with God in this Mortal ...
... for these affections turn into eternal resolutions; yet she cannot consider that
she kisses him with the nuptial kiss till she meet with him in her mother's ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter vi that we cannot.htm

2 Cor. xiii. 10
... Ver.12. "Salute one another with a holy kiss.". What is "holy?" not hollow, [1054]
not treacherous, like the kiss which Judas gave to Christ. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxx 2 cor xiii.htm

I am Told that He Also Carps at Me for the Translation I have ...
... Nescu, translated literally, is Kiss. I wished not to give a distasteful ... loss even
in Latin. Nescu, translated literally, is Kiss. I wished not ...
/.../19 i am told that.htm

Miracles of Destruction.
... note, with the questions they suggest. The synoptical Gospels record the
Judas-kiss: St John does not. St John alone records the ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/x miracles of destruction.htm

The Captive Christ and the Circle Round Him
... And he that betrayed Him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall
kiss, that same is He; take Him, and lead Him away safely.45. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the captive christ and the.htm

Thesaurus

Kiss (39 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To make or give salutation with the lips in token of love, respect, etc.;
as, kiss and make friends. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. KISS. ...
/k/kiss.htm - 25k

Salute (48 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) Hence, to give a sign of good will; to compliment by an act or ceremony,
as a kiss, a bow, etc. ... Romans 16:16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. ...
/s/salute.htm - 19k

Greet (46 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Romans 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. ... 1 Corinthians
16:20 All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. ...
/g/greet.htm - 19k

Betraying (14 Occurrences)
... (WEY NAS). Matthew 26:48 Now he who betrayed him gave them a sign, saying,
"Whoever I kiss, he is the one. Seize him." (See NAS). ...
/b/betraying.htm - 10k

Cease (138 Occurrences)
... In the New Testament it illustrates Christ's power over Nature; wind and raging
sea ceased (Luke 8:24); over a sinner's heart: "not ceased to kiss my feet ...
/c/cease.htm - 40k

Adoration
... 5. Kiss of Adoration: The heathen practice of kissing hands to the heavenly bodies
as a sign of adoration is referred to in Job 31:27, and of kissing the idol ...
/a/adoration.htm - 20k

Weep (97 Occurrences)
... Genesis 29:11 And weeping for joy, Jacob gave Rachel a kiss. (Root in BBE YLT NIV). ...
Then she gave them a kiss; and they were weeping bitterly. (Root in BBE YLT). ...
/w/weep.htm - 37k

Gavest (36 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY WBS). Luke 7:45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time
I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. (KJV ASV DBY WBS). ...
/g/gavest.htm - 17k

Greetings (48 Occurrences)
... Romans 16:16 Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the Churches of Christ send
greetings to you. (WEY NIV). ... Greet one another with a holy kiss. (WEY RSV NIV). ...
/g/greetings.htm - 18k

Gesture
... and bowing to the ground, 3 times (1 Samuel 20:41 Genesis 23:7 2 Samuel 9:8; 2 Samuel
18:21 1 Kings 2:19); it was common also to embrace and kiss (Exodus 18:7 ...
/g/gesture.htm - 20k

Bible Concordance

Kiss (39 Occurrences)

Matthew 26:48 Now he who betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, "Whoever I kiss, he is the one. Seize him."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 26:49 Immediately he came to Jesus, and said, "Hail, Rabbi!" and kissed him.
(Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 14:44 Now he who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, "Whoever I will kiss, that is he. Seize him, and lead him away safely."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 14:45 When he had come, immediately he came to him, and said, "Rabbi! Rabbi!" and kissed him.
(Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 7:45 You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 15:20 "He arose, and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
(Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, behold, a multitude, and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He came near to Jesus to kiss him.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 22:48 But Jesus said to him, "Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?"
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Romans 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The assemblies of Christ greet you.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 16:20 All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Corinthians 13:12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Thessalonians 5:26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Peter 5:14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 27:26 His father Isaac said to him, "Come near now, and kiss me, my son."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 27:27 He came near, and kissed him. He smelled the smell of his clothing, and blessed him, and said, "Behold, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which Yahweh has blessed.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 29:11 Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 31:28 and didn't allow me to kiss my sons and my daughters? Now have you done foolishly.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 33:4 Esau ran to meet him, embraced him, fell on his neck, kissed him, and they wept.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 41:40 thou -- thou art over my house, and at thy mouth do all my people kiss; only in the throne I am greater than thou.'
(YLT)

Genesis 45:15 He kissed all his brothers, and wept on them. After that his brothers talked with him.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 48:10 Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he couldn't see. He brought them near to him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 4:27 Yahweh said to Aaron, "Go into the wilderness to meet Moses." He went, and met him on God's mountain, and kissed him.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 18:7 Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and bowed and kissed him. They asked each other of their welfare, and they came into the tent.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ruth 1:9 Yahweh grant you that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband." Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voice, and wept.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ruth 1:14 They lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth joined with her.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 10:1 Then Samuel took the vial of oil, and poured it on his head, and kissed him, and said, "Isn't it that Yahweh has anointed you to be prince over his inheritance?
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 20:41 As soon as the boy was gone, David arose out of a place toward the South, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times. They kissed one another, and wept one with another, and David wept the most.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 14:33 So Joab came to the king, and told him; and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 15:5 It was so, that when any man came near to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took hold of him, and kissed him.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 19:39 All the people went over the Jordan, and the king went over. Then the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned to his own place.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 20:9 Joab said to Amasa, "Is it well with you, my brother?" Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Kings 19:20 He left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, "Let me please kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you." He said to him, "Go back again; for what have I done to you?"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Job 31:27 and my heart has been secretly enticed, and my hand threw a kiss from my mouth,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
(KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Psalms 85:10 Mercy and truth meet together. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 24:26 An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Song of Songs 1:2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; for your love is better than wine.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Song of Songs 8:1 Oh that you were like my brother, who sucked the breasts of my mother! If I found you outside, I would kiss you; yes, and no one would despise me.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Hosea 13:2 Now they sin more and more, and have made themselves molten images of their silver, even idols according to their own understanding, all of them the work of the craftsmen. They say of them,'They offer human sacrifice and kiss the calves.'
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Kiss

Kiss of Affection

Kiss of Joab, when he Killed Amasa

Kiss of Judas, when he Betrayed Jesus

Kiss: Deceitful

Kiss: The Feet of Jesus Kissed by the Penitent Woman

Kiss: The Holy

Related Terms

Salute (48 Occurrences)

Greet (46 Occurrences)

Betraying (14 Occurrences)