5370. philéma

Lexicon

philéma: Kiss

Original Word: φίλημα
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: philéma
Pronunciation: fee'-lay-mah
Phonetic Spelling: (fil'-ay-mah)
Definition: Kiss
Meaning: a kiss.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

kiss.

From phileo; a kiss -- kiss.

see GREEK phileo

HELPS Word-studies

5370 phílēma (from 5368 /philéō, "share warm affection") – a kiss to show respect or affection between friends – i.e. people sharing a deep (common) bond.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from phileó
Definition
a kiss
NASB Translation
kiss (7).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5370: φίλημα

φίλημα, φιληματος, τό, from Aeschylus down, a kiss (see φιλέω, 2): Luke 7:45; Luke 22:48 (Proverbs 27:6; Song of Solomon 1:2); ἅγιον, the kiss with which, as a sign of fraternal affection, Christians were accustomed to welcome or dismiss their companions in the faith: Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; it is also called φίλημα ἀγάπης, 1 Peter 5:14. Cf. Kahle, De osculo sancto (Regiom. 1867); (B. D., under the word Kiss; also Dict. of Christ. Antiq. under the word Kiss).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb φιλέω (phileō), meaning "to love" or "to show affection."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for φίλημα, the concept of a kiss as a greeting or sign of affection can be found in the Hebrew Bible. The Hebrew word נָשַׁק (nashaq), Strong's Hebrew 5401, is often used to describe a kiss, as seen in passages like Genesis 27:26-27 and 2 Samuel 20:9.

Usage: The term φίλημα is used in the New Testament to denote a kiss, often as a sign of greeting, affection, or betrayal. It appears in contexts that highlight both genuine affection and deceit.

Context: The Greek word φίλημα (philēma) is a noun that appears in the New Testament to describe a kiss, which is a common cultural expression of greeting, affection, or respect in the ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman worlds. In the New Testament, φίλημα is used in various contexts, reflecting both positive and negative connotations.

• Positive Connotations: In several passages, φίλημα is associated with a holy or affectionate greeting among believers. For example, in Romans 16:16, Paul instructs the church to "Greet one another with a holy kiss," emphasizing unity and love within the Christian community. Similarly, in 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12, and 1 Thessalonians 5:26, the holy kiss is a symbol of fellowship and mutual affection among Christians.

• Negative Connotations: The term also appears in the context of betrayal. In Luke 22:48, Jesus addresses Judas with the words, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" Here, the φίλημα is used ironically, as Judas's kiss is a sign of betrayal rather than genuine affection.

The use of φίλημα in the New Testament reflects the cultural practices of the time, where a kiss was a customary greeting among friends and family. In the early Christian context, the holy kiss became a ritualized expression of love and unity, transcending social and cultural barriers within the body of Christ.

Forms and Transliterations

φιλημα φίλημά φιλήματα φιληματι φιλήματι φιλημάτων philema philēma phílemá phílēmá philemati philēmati philḗmati

Englishman's Concordance

Luke 7:45 N-ANS
GRK: φίλημά μοι οὐκ
NAS: Me no kiss; but she, since
KJV: me no kiss: but this woman
INT: A kiss to me not

Luke 22:48 N-DNS
GRK: αὐτῷ Ἰούδα φιλήματι τὸν υἱὸν
NAS: the Son of Man with a kiss?
KJV: the Son of man with a kiss?
INT: to him Judas with a kiss the Son

Romans 16:16 N-DNS
GRK: ἀλλήλους ἐν φιλήματι ἁγίῳ Ἀσπάζονται
NAS: with a holy kiss. All
KJV: an holy kiss. The churches
INT: one another with a kiss holy greet

1 Corinthians 16:20 N-DNS
GRK: ἀλλήλους ἐν φιλήματι ἁγίῳ
NAS: one another with a holy kiss.
KJV: with an holy kiss.
INT: one another with a kiss holy

2 Corinthians 13:12 N-DNS
GRK: ἐν ἁγίῳ φιλήματι
NAS: one another with a holy kiss.
KJV: with an holy kiss.
INT: with a holy kiss

1 Thessalonians 5:26 N-DNS
GRK: πάντας ἐν φιλήματι ἁγίῳ
NAS: the brethren with a holy kiss.
KJV: with an holy kiss.
INT: all with a kiss holy

1 Peter 5:14 N-DNS
GRK: ἀλλήλους ἐν φιλήματι ἀγάπης Εἰρήνη
NAS: one another with a kiss of love.
KJV: with a kiss of charity.
INT: one another with a kiss of love Peace [be]

Strong's Greek 5370
7 Occurrences

φίλημά — 1 Occ.
φιλήματι — 6 Occ.