In the context of the Bible, salutations refer to the greetings exchanged between individuals, often conveying respect, peace, and blessings. These greetings are significant in both the Old and New Testaments, reflecting cultural norms and spiritual truths.

Old Testament Salutations

In the Old Testament, salutations often involved expressions of peace and well-being. A common Hebrew greeting was "Shalom," meaning peace, which encompassed a wish for prosperity and health. For example, when David sent messengers to Nabal, he instructed them to greet him with peace: "And thus you shall say, ‘Long life to you! Peace to you, to your house, and to all that is yours!’" (1 Samuel 25:6).

Salutations also included blessings from God. In Ruth 2:4, Boaz greets his reapers with, "The LORD be with you," to which they respond, "The LORD bless you." This exchange highlights the integration of faith into daily interactions.

New Testament Salutations

The New Testament continues the tradition of meaningful salutations, often incorporating the grace and peace found in Christ. The Apostle Paul frequently begins his epistles with a greeting that combines grace and peace, as seen in Romans 1:7: "To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

Jesus Himself emphasized the importance of peace in greetings. In Luke 10:5, He instructed His disciples, "Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’" This directive underscores the role of peace as a hallmark of Christian fellowship.

Cultural and Spiritual Significance

Salutations in biblical times were more than mere formalities; they were expressions of one's faith and intentions. They often included physical gestures, such as bowing or embracing, which demonstrated respect and affection. In Genesis 33:3, Jacob bows to the ground seven times as he approaches his brother Esau, illustrating humility and reconciliation.

The New Testament also warns against insincere or hypocritical greetings. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for their love of public salutations that were more about self-exaltation than genuine respect (Matthew 23:7).

Salutations in the Early Church

The early Christian community placed great emphasis on greetings as a means of expressing unity and love. The "holy kiss" mentioned in several of Paul's letters (e.g., Romans 16:16) was a cultural expression of brotherly love and fellowship among believers.

Salutations also served as a means of conveying apostolic authority and teaching. The closing greetings in Paul's letters often include personal notes and instructions, as seen in Colossians 4:18: "This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you."

Conclusion

Salutations in the Bible are rich with cultural, spiritual, and relational significance. They reflect the values of peace, grace, and love that are central to the biblical message, serving as a reminder of the importance of how believers interact with one another and the world.

Say with what Salutations?
... Advent. SAY WITH WHAT SALUTATIONS? Say with what salutations Shall I Thine advent
greet? Desire of all the nations, My Joy and Succour meet! O Jesus! Jesus! ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/say with what salutations.htm

Salutations.
... Chapter XII."Salutations. I salute the holy presbytery. I salute the sacred
deacons, and that person most dear to me, [1258] whom ...
/.../ignatius/the epistle of ignatius to the antiochians/chapter xii salutations.htm

Salutations.
... Chapter XII."Salutations. The love of the brethren at Troas salutes you;
whence also I write to you by Burrhus, whom ye sent with ...
/.../ignatius/the epistle of ignatius to the smyrnaeans/chapter xii salutations.htm

Salutations.
... Chapter X."Salutations. May I enjoy your prayers! Pray ye that may attain
to Jesus. I commend unto you the Church which is at Antioch. ...
/.../ignatius/the epistle of ignatius to the tarsians/chapter x salutations.htm

Salutations.
... Chapter XV."Salutations. The Ephesians from Smyrna (whence I also write
to you), who are here for the glory of God, as ye also ...
/.../ignatius/the epistle of ignatius to the magnesians/chapter xv salutations.htm

Salutations Continued.
... Chapter XIII."Salutations continued. I salute Cassian and his partner in
life, and their very dear children. Polycarp, that most ...
/.../chapter xiii salutations continued.htm

Salutations. Conclusion.
... Chapter XV."Salutations. Conclusion. Philo and Agathopus the deacons salute
you. I salute the company of virgins, and the order ...
/.../chapter xv salutations conclusion.htm

Concluding Salutations and Instructions.
... Chapter IX."Concluding salutations and instructions. Salute Cassian, my
host, and his most serious-minded partner in life, and ...
/.../chapter ix concluding salutations and instructions.htm

The Fifteenth Proposition. Concerning Salutations and Recreations ...
... THE FIFTEENTH PROPOSITION. Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &c.
Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &c. [23] Seeing the ...
/.../the fifteenth proposition concerning salutations.htm

Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &C.
... AN APOLOGY FOR THE TRUE CHRISTIAN DIVINITY PROPOSITION XV. Concerning Salutations
and Recreations, &c. Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &c. ...
/.../proposition xv concerning salutations and.htm

Salutations (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Salutations (3 Occurrences). Matthew 23:7 the salutations
in the marketplaces, and to be called'Rabbi, Rabbi' by men. ...
/s/salutations.htm - 7k

Salutation (6 Occurrences)
... I have often listened to these prolonged salutations in the house, the street, and
the highway, and not unfrequently I have experienced their tedious monotony ...
/s/salutation.htm - 10k

Greet (46 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To address with salutations or expressions of kind wishes; to salute; to
hail; to welcome; to accost with friendship; to pay respects or compliments to ...
/g/greet.htm - 19k

Market (24 Occurrences)
... usually by the day (Matthew 20:1-16); (3) a place where the proud pretender could
parade in long robes and get public recognition, "salutations in the market ...
/m/market.htm - 19k

Timothy (28 Occurrences)
...Salutations: In connection with this salutation from Timothy, it should be noticed
that it was Paul's custom to associate with his own name that of one or more ...
/t/timothy.htm - 38k

Salute (48 Occurrences)

/s/salute.htm - 19k

Romans (8 Occurrences)
... is followed by various practical exhortations (12:1-15:13), which are followed by
a conclusion containing personal explanations and salutations, which contain ...
/r/romans.htm - 44k

Quartus (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Fourth, a Corinthian Christian who sent by Paul his
salutations to friends at Rome (Romans 16:23). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/q/quartus.htm - 7k

Kiss (39 Occurrences)
... lands in salutation, etc., on the cheek, the forehead, the beard, the hands, the
feet, but not (in Pal) the lips (Cheyne, EB, under the word "Salutations"). ...
/k/kiss.htm - 25k

Nymphas (1 Occurrence)
... Greek read Numpha, the name of a woman (Colossians 4:15)): 1. A Christian in Laodicea:
A Christian resident in Laodicea, to whom Paul sends salutations in the ...
/n/nymphas.htm - 9k

What is the Hail Mary that Catholics say so often? | GotQuestions.org

Summary of the Book of 2 John - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

What can we learn from what the Bible says about Paul and Timothy? | GotQuestions.org

Salutations: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus