Kiss vs. Handshake

by Guy C LaMar

THINK ABOUT THIS… The word kiss vs. handshake in Hebrew.

In Hebrew, the word “kiss” is nāšaq (Strong’s Concordance #5401), and it means ── to kiss, to be equipped.

According to the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament ── it means “kiss.” A derivative is ne shîqâ, meaning kiss, as in Song 1:2; Prov. 27:6.

“As for the verb, it is best to deal with the most restricted use first. The concept of “touch” occurs where, in Ezk. 3:13, the prophet describes the touching (“kissing”) of the wings of living creatures in his vision, quite evidently the cherubim whose wings touched as they stood under the platform on which rested the throne of God.

The kiss was a very common convention in the ancient Near East, yet always of special significance. Kisses are given, for example, to the father, the mother, the son, the brother, the wife, the father or mother-in-law, wives of one’s sons as well as a lover (Song 8:1; Prov. 7:13). …

Along with a kiss of affection, there was a kiss of respect: Worthy of particular note are Samuel’s kissing of Saul upon anointing him (1 Sam. 10:1) and David’s farewell to a loyal subject as he returned from his brief exile across Jordan (2 Sam. 19:39.”

Also, nāshaq, means “handle, be equipped with (e.g. 1 Chr. 12:2; 2 Chr. 17:17), exact meaning is uncertain.

A derivative of this word is nesheq, which means equipment, or weapons (e.g. Ezk. 39:9; Job 20:24).

So, the word and its derivatives literally or figuratively means touch, as in a mode of attachment, to equip with weapons, as in arming soldiers, to rule, kiss, and touch.

What about the word kiss in the Greek language?

In Greek, it’s phileō (Strong’s Concordance #5368), and it means ── to love, to have affection, and regard of a very high order.

According to the Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words ── φιλέω means to love, signifies to kiss, in Matt. 26:48; Mark 14:44; Luke 22:47.

Truly, the kiss with which, as a sign of fraternal affection. True Christians were accustomed to welcoming or dismissing their companions in faith. Fraternal affection is a deep bond of affection between people, often family members that comes from long familiarity. It can also describe the strong friendship between two people or groups of people.

Next: What about the words saint vs. holy.

In the Hebrew language the word “saint” is qādôš (Strong’s Concordance #6918), and it means ── holy, sacred, consecrated, set apart as dedicated to God.

According to the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament ── it means “holy, Holy One, saint.”

“The verb qādash in the Qal connotes [the conjugation or binyan in which most verbs in Hebrew dictionaries appear] the state of that which belongs to the sphere of the sacred. Thus it is distinct from the common or profane. In the Piel [according to the Gesenius Hebrew Grammar (Gesenius), “the fundamental idea of Piel, to which all the various shades of meaning in this conjugation may be referred, is to busy oneself eagerly with the action indicated by the stem”] and Hiphil [a verbal stem formation in Biblical Hebrew] connotes the act by which the distinction is effected. It is a denominative verb.”

The LORD God’s holy people are known as saints – obedient spiritually begotten people who serve the LORD God with absolute faith and dedication.

What about the word holy?

In the Hebrew language the word “holy” is qādôš (Strong’s Concordance #6918), and it means ── holy, sacred, consecrated, set apart as dedicated to God.

The words “saint” and “holy” have the same meanings.

Again from the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament ──

“The word occurs in several dialects of Akkadian with the basic meanings “to be clean, pure, consecrated.” In the Canaanite texts from Ugarit, the basic meaning of the word group is “holy,” and it is always used in a cultic sense. A definitive use of the term occurs in Num. 16:38.”

To be physically pure, which is to be clean, obedient to the LORD God’s dietary laws, morally blameless, of good character, religiously well kept, ceremonially consecrated, dedicated, loyal, committed to keeping the LAW OF GOD ──which is the Way of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ showed to us by His example in how we are to conduct ourselves in serving the LORD God correctly.

Simply put, it means “pure.” A pure people, a pure act, a pure manner, a pure Way.

So, we see in the living word of God ── the Holy Bible ── a “holy kiss” is a mindset of a welcoming manner of an inviting characteristic to all brethren.

To show that happy greeting of an old friend who has come back around after a long absence – that upbeat and joyous attitude of greeting. A very happy and glad emotion to see someone.

We see a gentle touch as a welcoming touch.

Now, it does not have to be upon the lips.

Again, the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament ──

“’ Mouth’ does often indicate the actual commands or orders in biblical Hebrew. We can also view Ps. 2:12 in this light and thereby reject the conjectural emendation involved in the RSV translation, “with trembling kiss his feet.” Also the command to “kiss the son” may be understood to mean to “kiss the feet of the son” being derived from the custom of kissing the king’s feet as an act of homage, “a custom which is well known to us from Babylonian and Egyptian documents” (Artur Weiser, The Psalms, Westminster, 1962, p. 115).”

It may be with a kind of handshake, hug, or the traditional “kissing the feet” ──though the “kissing of the feet” in public or in a group might be awkward in Western culture. It’s really about making physical contact when greeting others ── especially our brethren. □

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Strong, James. Zondervan, 2001, #5401, #5368, #6918.

Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, 1980, #1435, #1436, #1990b.

Vine, W.E., Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, Kiss, Fleming H. Revell Company, Old Tappan, New Jersey, published by United Kingdom Marshall, Morgan & Scott, Publications, Ltd., 1981, pg. 296.

Additional things to think about...

Angels - in the Bible ── Angels are able to appear as humans – but are NOT humans.

Do They Have God's Spirit? ── In almost ALL cases – by confronting these people within the church, you will find that they are very nasty in their response when presented with your issues concerning them.

Blessing or Curses? ── A great many people have a very odd way of looking at certain things when it comes to churches. So many feel that by following a MAN or by following a TITLE when it comes to a church, that it is correct in the will of God.