In the Bible, kisses are mentioned in various contexts, symbolizing a range of emotions and relationships, from familial affection to betrayal. The act of kissing in biblical times often carried significant cultural and relational meanings.

1. Familial and Affectionate Kisses:

Kisses are frequently depicted as expressions of familial love and affection. In Genesis 27:26-27, Isaac kisses his son Jacob as a sign of blessing: "Then his father Isaac said to him, 'Please come near and kiss me, my son.' So he came near and kissed him. When Isaac smelled his clothing, he blessed him and said, 'Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed.'" This passage illustrates the kiss as a gesture of paternal love and the conferring of a blessing.

Similarly, in Genesis 29:11, Jacob kisses Rachel upon meeting her, demonstrating a greeting filled with emotion: "Then Jacob kissed Rachel and wept aloud." This kiss signifies both a greeting and the beginning of a deep emotional connection.

2. Kisses of Friendship and Reconciliation:

Kisses also serve as symbols of friendship and reconciliation. In 2 Samuel 20:9, Joab greets Amasa with a kiss, though with ulterior motives: "Joab said to Amasa, 'Is it well with you, my brother?' And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him." While this kiss was deceitful, it reflects the cultural norm of using a kiss as a gesture of friendship.

In the New Testament, the "holy kiss" is mentioned as a sign of Christian fellowship and unity. Romans 16:16 instructs, "Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send you greetings." This practice was a customary greeting among early Christians, symbolizing peace and mutual acceptance.

3. Kisses of Betrayal:

Perhaps the most infamous kiss in the Bible is the kiss of betrayal by Judas Iscariot. In Matthew 26:48-49, Judas uses a kiss to identify Jesus to the arresting soldiers: "Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: 'The one I kiss is the man; arrest Him.' Going directly to Jesus, he said, 'Greetings, Rabbi,' and kissed Him." This act of betrayal under the guise of affection highlights the duplicity that a kiss can sometimes represent.

4. Romantic and Marital Kisses:

The Song of Solomon, a poetic book celebrating love and marriage, contains several references to kisses as expressions of romantic love. Song of Solomon 1:2 states, "Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is more delightful than wine." Here, kisses are depicted as intimate and desirable, reflecting the deep affection between lovers.

5. Cultural and Symbolic Significance:

In biblical times, kisses were not only personal but also carried cultural significance. They were often used in greetings, farewells, and acts of homage. The act of kissing the feet, as seen in Luke 7:38, where a sinful woman kisses Jesus' feet, was a sign of deep respect and repentance: "As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair. Then she kissed His feet and anointed them with the perfume."

Overall, kisses in the Bible are multifaceted, serving as expressions of love, respect, friendship, and sometimes betrayal. They reflect the depth and complexity of human relationships as understood within the biblical narrative.5390. neshiqah -- a kiss
... 5389, 5390. neshiqah. 5391 . a kiss. Transliteration: neshiqah Phonetic
Spelling: (nesh-ee-kaw') Short Definition: kisses. Word ...
/hebrew/5390.htm - 6k

5401a. nashaq -- to kiss
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to kiss NASB Word Usage do homage (2), kiss
(8), kissed (18), kisses (2), threw a kiss (1), touching (1). 5401, 5401a. ...
/hebrew/5401a.htm - 5k

Whether There Can be Mortal Sin in Touches and Kisses?
... OF THE PARTS OF LUST (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether there can be mortal sin in
touches and kisses? Objection 1: It would seem that there ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be mortal.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.
THIS kiss, which the soul desires of its God, is essential ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/verse 1 let him kiss.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

On Eutropius, the Eunuch, Patrician and Consul.
... they who pay thee court?" Did I not add to these words by saying that the wounds
of friends were more to be relied upon than the voluntary kisses of enemies. ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily i on eutropius the.htm

St. Ambrose, in Concluding the Second Book, Ascribes any Good ...
... We have not formed this power for ourselves, but have received it; this is the heavenly
teaching of the mystic song: "Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vi st ambrose in.htm

Letter Xli. St. Ambrose in this Letter to his Sister Continues the ...
... I leave you." [3587] The Synagogue has not a kiss, but the Church has, who waited
for Him, who loved Him, who said: "Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/letter xli st ambrose in.htm

Inevitable Nemesis
... faithful are the wounds of a friend, deceitful the kisses of an enemy? Hadst thou
borne my wounds thou hadst not been destroyed by their kisses. ...
/.../chapter xxviii inevitable nemesis.htm

While Vergilius, Going Slowly, was Thinking of These Things...
... "How ungenerous are the old!". "Hard to count are a lover's kisses," her mother
answered, with a sigh. ... "A day full of kisses! Oh, heart of me! ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 7 while vergilius going.htm

The Unsatisfied Life and Its Remedy
... The speaker has had her eyes opened to behold His beauty, and longs for a fuller
enjoyment of His love. Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth: ...
/.../taylor/union and communion/section i the unsatisfied life.htm

Arria Met them in the Atrium. ...
... "Love! 'Tis better, I have heard, to be ruler of one than of many. You
give him kisses, little tyrant, and me not a glance.". He ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 10 arria met them.htm

Kisses (12 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Kisses (12 Occurrences). Matthew 26:49 And immediately
coming up to Jesus he said, Hail, Rabbi, and covered him with kisses. (DBY). ...
/k/kisses.htm - 9k

Covered (325 Occurrences)
... field. (See RSV). Matthew 26:49 And immediately coming up to Jesus he said,
Hail, Rabbi, and covered him with kisses. (DBY). Mark ...
/c/covered.htm - 37k

Kiss (39 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/k/kiss.htm - 25k

Kisseth (14 Occurrences)

/k/kisseth.htm - 10k

Kissed (26 Occurrences)

/k/kissed.htm - 14k

Nursed (13 Occurrences)
... breasts! When I came to you in the street, I would give you kisses; yes,
I would not be looked down on. (See NAS RSV NIV). Isaiah ...
/n/nursed.htm - 10k

Importunate (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Importunate (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are
the wounds of a friend; But the kisses of an enemy are profuse. (See JPS). ...
/i/importunate.htm - 6k

Delightful (11 Occurrences)
... of truth. (See NAS). Song of Songs 1:2 Let him give me the kisses of his
mouth: for his love is better than wine. (See NIV). Song ...
/d/delightful.htm - 9k

Multiplies (8 Occurrences)
... men. (See NIV). Proverbs 27:6 The wounds of a friend are given in good faith,
but the kisses of a hater are false. (See NIV). Ecclesiastes ...
/m/multiplies.htm - 8k

Metal-workers (5 Occurrences)
... gods from their silver, after their designs, all of them the work of the metal-workers;
they say of them, Let them give offerings, let men give kisses to the ...
/m/metal-workers.htm - 8k

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