Kissing in the Bible is a multifaceted gesture that appears in various contexts, symbolizing affection, respect, reconciliation, and betrayal. The act of kissing is mentioned numerous times throughout the Scriptures, reflecting its cultural and relational significance in biblical times.

Affection and Family Bonds

Kissing is often depicted as an expression of familial love and affection. In Genesis 27:26-27, Isaac kisses his son Jacob as a sign of blessing and affection: "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.'" Similarly, in Genesis 29:11, Jacob kisses Rachel upon meeting her, demonstrating a familial bond and affection: "Then Jacob kissed Rachel and wept aloud."

Respect and Honor

Kissing is also used as a gesture of respect and honor. In 1 Samuel 10:1, the prophet Samuel anoints Saul as king and kisses him, signifying the honor and divine appointment bestowed upon Saul: "Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, 'Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?'"

Reconciliation and Forgiveness

The act of kissing can symbolize reconciliation and forgiveness. In the parable of the prodigal son, found in Luke 15:20, the father kisses his returning son, signifying forgiveness and restoration of their relationship: "So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him."

Betrayal

Conversely, kissing can also be an act of betrayal. The most infamous example is Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus. 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."

Cultural and Social Context

In the cultural context of the Bible, kissing was a common form of greeting and farewell. The New Testament epistles often encourage believers to greet one another with a holy kiss, as seen in Romans 16:16: "Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send you greetings." This practice was a sign of fellowship and unity among early Christians.

Conclusion

Kissing in the Bible is a complex gesture that conveys a range of emotions and intentions, from love and respect to betrayal. Its presence in Scripture highlights the importance of understanding cultural practices and relational dynamics in biblical narratives.1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from fornication:
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1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man does is without the body; but he that commits fornication sins against his own body.
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Hebrews 13:4
Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
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Galatians 5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
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Romans 8:8
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
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Matthew 5:27-28
You have heard that it was said by them of old time, You shall not commit adultery:
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Luke 7:45
You gave me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in has not ceased to kiss my feet.
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Ruth 1:14
And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth joined to her.
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(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Kiss.4352. proskuneo -- to do reverence to
... 4352 () has been (metaphorically) described as "the kissing-ground" between
believers (the Bride) and Christ (the heavenly Bridegroom). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4352.htm - 10k

2705. kataphileo -- to kiss fervently
... 38). Word Origin from kata and phileo Definition to kiss fervently NASB
Word Usage kiss (1), kissed (4), kissing (1). kiss. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2705.htm - 7k

2441. chek -- palate, roof of the mouth, gums
... chanak in the sense of tasting; properly, the palate or inside of the mouth; hence,
the mouth itself (as the organ of speech, taste and kissing) -- (roof of the ...
/hebrew/2441.htm - 6k

Kissing the Rod.
... THE SOUL. XXII. KISSING THE ROD. Dysg fi dewi megys Aaron 8,7,8,7,8,7,8,7. Teach
me Aaron's thoughtful silence. When corrected by thy rod; ...
//christianbookshelf.org/morris/favourite welsh hymns/xxii kissing the rod.htm

If the Swearing Law was to Order, that Instead of Kissing the ...
... Address 171: If the swearing law was to order, that instead of kissing
the gospel-book? If the swearing law was to order, that ...
/.../address 171 0 0 if the swearing.htm

Of the Sighings, Desire, and Meekness of a Perfect Lover: and of ...
... Forsooth when I feel the halsing and kissing of my Love, with untold delight as
it were I overflow; whom true lovers, for love only of His unmeasured goodness ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter xxvi of the sighings.htm

Epistle Lviii. To Fidus, on the Baptism of Infants.
... to what you say, that the aspect of an infant in the first days after its birth
is not pure, so that any one of us would still shudder at kissing it, [2631] we ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lviii to fidus on.htm

Marvellous History of the Death of a Gentleman who Died of Love on ...
... say how many tears there he shed, contemplating those with which the Son of God,
little infant of the Virgin, had watered that holy stable, kissing and kissing ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xii marvellous history of.htm

First Latin Form.
... And he, being healed that same hour, giving thanks to God and kissing the feet of
the queen of all the saints and apostles, was baptized in that same place ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the passing of mary/first latin form.htm

Dream Concerning the Founding of Constantinople.
... became transformed into a beautiful girl, and so fascinated his eyes by the elegance
of her youthful charms that he could not refrain from kissing her; that ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/5 dream concerning the founding.htm

Further References to Cyprian.
... For although the infant is still fresh from its birth, yet it is not such that any
one should shudder at kissing it in giving grace and in making peace, since ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 23 further references to cyprian.htm

Meanwhile, Angela Sovrani was Detained in Her Studio by the ...
... Dear little flame of genius, how you blaze!" cried Sylvie, catching her friend by
the hand and kissing it, "Do not call Fontenelle a villain"he is too ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xi meanwhile angela sovrani was.htm

Roman Catholics.
... The custom of kissing the pope's toe was introduced in 708. ... Kissing the pope's
toe, and other ceremonies, were abolished by Clement XIV., 1773. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/roman catholics 2.htm

Kissing (10 Occurrences)
...Kissing (10 Occurrences). ... (BBE YLT NAS). Luke 7:45 No kiss did you give me; but she
from the moment I came in has not left off tenderly kissing my feet. ...
/k/kissing.htm - 9k

Adoration
... Some have supposed that the root os points to the Roman practice of applying the
hand to the mouth, ie kissing the hand to (a person or thing), as a token of ...
/a/adoration.htm - 20k

Kiss (39 Occurrences)
... The worship of idols was by kissing the image or the hand toward the image
(1 Kings 19:18; Hosea 13:2). Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/k/kiss.htm - 25k

Shun (14 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). Ecclesiastes 3:5 A time to take stones away and a time to get stones
together; a time for kissing and a time to keep from kissing; (See NAS). ...
/s/shun.htm - 10k

Kit (3 Occurrences)

/k/kit.htm - 7k

Kisseth (14 Occurrences)

/k/kisseth.htm - 10k

Weeping (237 Occurrences)
... night, with weeping. (BBE). Acts 20:37 And they were all weeping, falling
on Paul's neck and kissing him, (BBE YLT). Acts 21:13 Then ...
/w/weeping.htm - 37k

Lamentations (6 Occurrences)
... the old wall of the temple of Solomon, Schaff says: "There the Jews assemble every
Friday afternoon to bewail the downfall of the holy city, kissing the stone ...
/l/lamentations.htm - 20k

Guardians (5 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 49:23 And kings will take care of you, and queens will give you their milk:
they will go down on their faces before you, kissing the dust of your feet ...
/g/guardians.htm - 8k

Wiping (4 Occurrences)
... having stood behind, beside his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with the
tears, and with the hairs of her head she was wiping, and was kissing his feet ...
/w/wiping.htm - 7k

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Kissing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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