Topical Encyclopedia In biblical terms, the concept of a "salute" encompasses greetings, expressions of respect, and gestures of acknowledgment among individuals. The practice of saluting is deeply rooted in the cultural and social customs of the ancient Near East and is frequently mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments. Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, salutations often involved physical gestures such as bowing or prostration, which were signs of respect and honor. For instance, when Joseph's brothers came to Egypt, they "bowed down before him with their faces to the ground" (Genesis 42:6). This act of bowing was a form of salutation that acknowledged Joseph's authority and position. Salutations were also used to convey peace and goodwill. In 1 Samuel 25:6, David instructs his men to greet Nabal with a message of peace: "Say to him, ‘Long life to you! Peace to you, to your house, and to all that is yours!’" . This greeting was intended to establish a friendly and respectful interaction. New Testament Context In the New Testament, salutations take on both verbal and written forms. The Apostle Paul frequently begins and ends his epistles with greetings to the recipients. For example, in Romans 16:16, Paul writes, "Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send you greetings" . The "holy kiss" was a customary greeting among early Christians, symbolizing love and unity within the body of Christ. Jesus Himself addressed the topic of salutations in His teachings. In the Sermon on the Mount, He instructed His followers to go beyond the customary greetings extended to friends and family, saying, "And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?" (Matthew 5:47). Here, Jesus emphasized the importance of extending love and kindness to all, not just those within one's immediate circle. Cultural and Spiritual Significance Salutations in the Bible are not merely social niceties but carry spiritual significance. They reflect the values of respect, peace, and community that are central to biblical teachings. The act of greeting one another warmly and sincerely is an expression of the love and fellowship that believers are called to embody. In the early church, salutations served to strengthen the bonds between believers and to affirm their shared faith in Christ. The practice of greeting one another with a "holy kiss" or a warm embrace was a tangible expression of the unity and love that characterized the Christian community. Practical Application For contemporary believers, the biblical concept of saluting serves as a reminder of the importance of hospitality, kindness, and respect in daily interactions. Whether through a handshake, a verbal greeting, or a written message, the act of saluting others can be a powerful demonstration of Christian love and fellowship. As followers of Christ, believers are encouraged to greet one another with genuine warmth and to extend the peace of Christ to all they encounter. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. t.) To address, as with expressions of kind wishes and courtesy; to greet; to hail.2. (v. t.) Hence, to give a sign of good will; to compliment by an act or ceremony, as a kiss, a bow, etc. 3. (v. t.) To honor, as some day, person, or nation, by a discharge of cannon or small arms, by dipping colors, by cheers, etc. 4. (v. t.) To promote the welfare and safety of; to benefit; to gratify. 5. (n.) The act of saluting, or expressing kind wishes or respect; salutation; greeting. 6. (n.) A sign, token, or ceremony, expressing good will, compliment, or respect, as a kiss, a bow, etc. 7. (n.) A token of respect or honor for some distinguished or official personage, for a foreign vessel or flag, or for some festival or event, as by presenting arms, by a discharge of cannon, volleys of small arms, dipping the colors or the topsails, etc. Greek 782. aspazomai -- to welcome, greet ... to welcome, greet. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: aspazomai Phonetic Spelling: (as-pad'-zom-ahee) Short Definition: I greet, salute, pay my respects to ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/782.htm - 7k 4316. prosagoreuo -- to address, hence to call by name Strong's Hebrew 1288. barak -- to kneel, bless... 1), greet (2), greeted (1), had to bless (1), kneel (1), kneel down (1), knelt (1), persisted in blessing (1), pronounce blessing (1), salute (1), salutes (1 ... /hebrew/1288.htm - 6k 7592. shaal -- to ask, inquire 7965. shalom -- completeness, soundness, welfare, peace Library Christians, Awake, Salute the Happy Morn Let Other Churches Also Send to Antioch. Salutations. Conclusion. Salutations. Concluding Salutations and Instructions. Salutations. Rom. xvi. 5 Extracts from the Acts. Session I. As a Prisoner, I Hope to See You. Thesaurus Salute (48 Occurrences)...Salute (48 Occurrences). Matthew 5:47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? ... Matthew 10:12 And when ye come into an house, salute it. ... /s/salute.htm - 19k Churches (39 Occurrences) Aquilas (6 Occurrences) Belong (127 Occurrences) Greeting (19 Occurrences) Kinsmen (74 Occurrences) Narcis'sus (1 Occurrence) Labour (119 Occurrences) Laboured (34 Occurrences) Labouring (18 Occurrences) Resources What is a blessing according to the Bible? What does the Bible mean by bless? | GotQuestions.orgIs Mary the mother of God (Theotokos)? | GotQuestions.org What is the Christian flag, and what does it symbolize? | GotQuestions.org Salute: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Salute (48 Occurrences)Matthew 5:47 Matthew 10:12 Mark 15:18 Luke 10:4 Acts 25:13 Romans 16:3 Romans 16:5 Romans 16:6 Romans 16:7 Romans 16:8 Romans 16:9 Romans 16:10 Romans 16:11 Romans 16:12 Romans 16:13 Romans 16:14 Romans 16:15 Romans 16:16 Romans 16:21 Romans 16:22 Romans 16:23 1 Corinthians 16:19 1 Corinthians 16:20 2 Corinthians 13:12 2 Corinthians 13:13 Philippians 4:21 Philippians 4:22 Colossians 4:10 Colossians 4:12 Colossians 4:14 Colossians 4:15 1 Thessalonians 5:26 2 Timothy 4:19 2 Timothy 4:21 Titus 3:15 Philemon 1:23 Hebrews 13:24 1 Peter 5:13 1 Peter 5:14 2 John 1:13 3 John 1:14 1 Samuel 10:4 1 Samuel 13:10 1 Samuel 25:6 1 Samuel 25:14 2 Samuel 8:10 2 Kings 10:13 1 Chronicles 18:10 Subtopics Related Terms |
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