Meaning
Kiss of affection (Gen 27:26, 27; 29:13; Luke 7:38, 45); reconciliation (Gen 33:4; 2Sam 14:33); leave-taking (Gen 31:28, 55; Ruth 1:14; 2Sam 19:39); homage (Ps 2:12; 1Sam 10:1); spoken of as between parents and children (Gen 27:26; 31:28, 55; 48:10; 50:1; Ex 18:7; Ruth 1:9, 14); between male relatives (Gen 29:13; 33:4; 45:15). It accompanied social worship as a symbol of brotherly love (Rom 16:16; 1Cor 16:20; 2Cor 13:12; 1Thess 5:26; 1Pet 5:14). The worship of idols was by kissing the image or the hand toward the image (1Kings 19:18; Hos 13:2).
