kiss Summary and Overview

of affection (Gen. 27:26, 27; 29:13; Luke 7:38, 45); reconciliation (Gen. 33:4; 2 Sam. 14:33); leave-taking (Gen. 31:28,55; Ruth 1:14; 2 Sam. 19:39); homage (Ps. 2:12; 1 Sam. 10:1); spoken of as between parents and children (Gen. 27:26; 31:28, 55; 48:10; 50:1; Ex. 18:7; Ruth 1:9, 14); between male relatives (Gen. 29:13; 33:4; 45:15). It accompanied social worship as a symbol of brotherly love (Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:12; 1 Thess. 5:26; 1 Pet. 5:14). The worship of idols was by kissing the image or the hand toward the image (1 Kings 19:18; Hos. 13:2).

Kissing the lips by way of affectionate salutation was customary among near relatives of both sexes, in both patriarchal and later times. #Ge 29:11; So 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. #Ro 16:16; 1Co 16:20; 2Co 13:12; 1Th 5:6; 1Pe 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. #Ge 41:40; 1Sa 24:8; Ps 72:9| etc. Kissing is spoken of in Scripture as a mark of respect or adoration to idols. #1Ki 19:18; Ho 13:2|

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.

The customary salutation in the East as a mark of respect or affection (Genesis 27:26; Song of Solomon 1:2; Luke 7:45); hence the token used by the hypocrite to pretend love (2 Samuel 15:5 Absalom; Matthew 26:48 Judas). The "kiss of charity" or love, "an holy kiss" (pure and chaste), was the pledge of Christian brotherhood (Apostol. Const. 2:57; 8:11) in the early church (Justin Martyr, Apology 1:65), especially at the Lord's supper, when the kiss was passed through the congregation, the men kissing the men, the women the women (Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; Acts 20:37; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14). Tertullian calls it (de Orat. 14) "the kiss of peace." Not a mere conventional salutation, "the mystic kiss" (Clemens Alex. Paedag. 3:11), i.e. symbolizing union in Christ. A kiss was the mark also of reverence and subjection. So Samuel after anointing Saul kissed him (1 Samuel 10:1). Also used in religious "adoration" (derived from the Latin, ad os "to the mouth," namely, kissing the hand in homage), whether of idols (Job 31:27; 1 Kings 19:18; Hosea 13:2) or of Jehovah (Psalm 2:12). So the Muslims kiss the Kaabaat Mecca.