In biblical times, salutes or greetings were an important aspect of social interaction, reflecting respect, peace, and goodwill among individuals. The act of saluting or greeting is mentioned numerous times throughout the Bible, often carrying significant cultural and spiritual implications.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, greetings were often expressions of peace and blessing. For instance, when Boaz greeted the reapers in his field, he said, "The LORD be with you," and they replied, "The LORD bless you" (Ruth 2:4). This exchange highlights the mutual respect and acknowledgment of God's presence in daily life.

The Hebrew word often used for greeting is "shalom," which means peace, completeness, or welfare. This term is more than a simple hello; it conveys a deep wish for the well-being of the other person. In 1 Samuel 25:6, David instructs his men to greet Nabal with, "Peace be to you, and peace to your house, and peace to all that you have" , illustrating the comprehensive nature of biblical greetings.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, greetings continue to hold significant meaning. Jesus instructed His disciples on how to greet others when entering a house: "If the home is worthy, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you" (Matthew 10:13). This instruction underscores the spiritual dimension of greetings, where peace is both a blessing and a discernment tool.

The Apostle Paul frequently included greetings in his epistles, emphasizing the importance of community and fellowship among believers. In Romans 16, Paul sends personal greetings to numerous individuals, demonstrating the interconnectedness of the early Christian community. He writes, "Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send you greetings" (Romans 16:16). The "holy kiss" was a cultural expression of brotherly love and unity within the church.

Cultural and Spiritual Significance

Salutes in the Bible often reflect the cultural norms of the time, where greetings were not merely formalities but expressions of relationship and community. They were opportunities to convey blessings, peace, and the presence of God in interactions. The biblical emphasis on greetings also highlights the importance of acknowledging others with respect and love, as seen in the command to "Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss" (1 Thessalonians 5:26).

Furthermore, the Bible warns against insincere or hypocritical greetings. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for their love of public greetings and places of honor, which were motivated by pride rather than genuine respect (Matthew 23:7). This serves as a reminder that true Christian greetings should stem from a heart of humility and love.

Conclusion

In summary, biblical salutes are rich in meaning and significance, serving as expressions of peace, blessing, and community. They reflect the cultural and spiritual values of the biblical world, emphasizing the importance of genuine and respectful interactions among individuals.1288. barak -- to kneel, bless
... 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), surely ...
/hebrew/1288.htm - 6k

Salutations Continued.
... Polycarp, that most worthy bishop, who is also deeply interested in you,
salutes you; and to him I have commended you in the Lord. ...
/.../chapter xiii salutations continued.htm

Conclusion.
... Chapter XIII."Conclusion. The love of the Smyrn??ans and Ephesians salutes
you. ... The love of the Smyrn??ans and Ephesians salutes you. ...
/.../ignatius/the epistle of ignatius to the trallians/chapter xiii conclusion.htm

Pray for the Church in Syria.
... My spirit salutes you, and the love of the Churches that have received me
in the name of Jesus Christ, and not as a mere passer-by. ...
/.../the epistle of ignatius to the romans/chapter ix pray for the church.htm

Salutations.
... The love of the brethren at Troas salutes you; whence also I write to you by Burrhus,
whom ye sent with me, together with the Ephesians, your brethren, and who ...
/.../ignatius/the epistle of ignatius to the smyrnaeans/chapter xii salutations.htm

Salutations.
... Philo, your deacon, to whom also I give thanks as one who has zealously
ministered to me in all things, salutes you. Agathopus, the ...
/.../ignatius/the epistle of ignatius to the tarsians/chapter x salutations.htm

Thanks and Salutation.
... The love of the brethren at Troas salutes you; whence also I write to you by Burrhus,
who was sent along with me by the Ephesians and Smyrn??ans, to show their ...
/.../chapter xi thanks and salutation.htm

Luke
... We send with him a brother whose praise in the gospel is among all the churches"
[2367] and to the Colossians "Luke the beloved physician salutes you," [2368 ...
/.../various/jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /chapter vii luke.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke x. 2, "The Harvest Truly is ...
... He that salutes, wishes salvation. ... What then did I say, He "who salutes by the way,"
salutes only by occasion? He was not going to him whom he salutes. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon li on the words.htm

Philemon i. 17-19
... to hear them as things of course. But how comes he to say that he who forsook
him salutes them? For "Erastus," he says, "abode at ...
/.../homily iii philemon i 17-19.htm

Concerning Things Performed Over those Fallen Asleep.
... in Christ; then the Divine Hierarch advances, and offers a most holy prayer over
him, and after the prayer both the Hierarch himself salutes the defunct, and ...
/.../dionysius/ecclesiastical hierarchy/caput vii i concerning things.htm

Salutes (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Salutes (7 Occurrences). Romans 16:23 Gaius, my
host and of the whole assembly, salutes you. Erastus, the ...
/s/salutes.htm - 8k

Salute (48 Occurrences)
... Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always
striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete ...
/s/salute.htm - 19k

Saluted (11 Occurrences)

/s/saluted.htm - 9k

Steward (23 Occurrences)
... Romans 16:23 Gaius, my host and of the whole assembly, salutes you. Erastus, the
steward of the city, salutes you, and the brother Quartus. (DBY YLT). ...
/s/steward.htm - 21k

Narcissus (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Daffodil, a Roman whom Paul salutes (Romans 16:11). He
is supposed to have been the private secretary of the emperor Claudius. ...
/n/narcissus.htm - 9k

Olympas (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A Roman Christian whom Paul salutes (Romans
16:15). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. OLYMPAS. o-lim'-pas ...
/o/olympas.htm - 7k

Linus (1 Occurrence)
... Linus (1 Occurrence). 2 Timothy 4:21 Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus
salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers. ...
/l/linus.htm - 9k

Winter (22 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 4:21 Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you,
as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers. (WEB ...
/w/winter.htm - 14k

Fellow-captive (2 Occurrences)
... Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus my fellow-captive salutes you, and Mark, Barnabas's
cousin, concerning whom ye have received orders, (if he come to you, receive him ...
/f/fellow-captive.htm - 7k

Tryphena (1 Occurrence)
... Tryphena and Tryphosa. Two female Christians, active workers, whom Paul salutes
in his epistle to the Romans (16:12). Multi-Version Concordance ...
/t/tryphena.htm - 6k

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