Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the act of greeting holds significant cultural and spiritual importance. Greetings in biblical times were more than mere formalities; they were expressions of peace, respect, and fellowship among individuals and communities. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings related to greetings, reflecting the values and social customs of the time.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, greetings often involved physical gestures such as bowing or prostrating oneself, as seen in
Genesis 33:3, where Jacob bows to the ground seven times as he approaches his brother Esau. This act of greeting was a demonstration of humility and respect. Greetings were also accompanied by blessings, as in
Ruth 2:4, where Boaz greets his harvesters with, "The LORD be with you," and they respond, "The LORD bless you."
New Testament ContextThe New Testament continues to emphasize the importance of greetings, particularly within the early Christian communities. The Apostle Paul frequently mentions greetings in his epistles, highlighting the interconnectedness and unity among believers. For instance, in
Romans 16:16, Paul instructs, "Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send you greetings." This "holy kiss" was a sign of brotherly love and unity among Christians.
Jesus Himself addressed the topic of greetings in His teachings. In
Matthew 5:47, He challenges His followers, "And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do the same?" Here, Jesus encourages His disciples to extend their greetings beyond their immediate circle, promoting love and inclusivity.
Cultural and Spiritual SignificanceGreetings in biblical times were not only social customs but also carried spiritual significance. They were opportunities to convey blessings, peace, and goodwill. In
Luke 10:5, Jesus instructs His disciples, "When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.'" This greeting of peace was a way to invoke God's blessing upon the household.
The act of greeting also served as a means of identifying and affirming one's faith. In 2
John 1:10, believers are cautioned, "If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or greet him." This instruction underscores the importance of discernment in extending greetings, ensuring that they align with the truth of the Gospel.
Practical ApplicationFor contemporary Christians, the biblical teachings on greetings serve as a reminder of the importance of hospitality, love, and community. Greetings are opportunities to express Christ-like love and to build relationships within the body of Christ and beyond. They encourage believers to be intentional in their interactions, reflecting the love and grace of God in their daily lives.
In summary, the concept of being "greeted" in the Bible encompasses a rich tapestry of cultural, social, and spiritual dimensions. It reflects the values of respect, peace, and unity that are central to the biblical narrative and the Christian faith.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Greet.
Greek
5463. chairo -- to rejoice, be glad... verb Definition to rejoice, be glad NASB Word Usage am glad (1), glad (7), gladly
(1),
greeted* (1), greeting (2), greetings (4), hail (4), joyfully (1), make
...3004. lego -- to say
... 1), call (8), called (34), calling (1), calls (3), claimed (1), claiming (2), command
(3), designated (1), follows (1), give (1), gives (1),greeted* (1), made...
782. aspazomai -- to welcome, greet
... verb Definition to welcome, greet NASB Word Usage acclaim (1), give...your greeting
(1), greet (41),greeted (3), greeting (1), greets (5), paid their respects...
Strong's Hebrew
7592. shaal -- to ask, inquire... 2), dedicated* (1), demand (1), demanded (1), desired (1), desires (1), earnestly
asked (1), earnestly asked leave (1), greet* (5),
greeted* (1), inquire (6
...7965. shalom -- completeness, soundness, welfare, peace
... welfare, peace NASB Word Usage close (2), ease (1), favorable (1), friend* (1),
friendly terms (1), friends* (2), greet (1), greet* (5),greeted* (1), health (1...
1288. barak -- to kneel, bless
... who blesses (1), blesses (10), blessing (1), boast (1), congratulates (1), curse
(3), cursed (3), curses (1), greatly bless (1), greet (2),greeted (1), had to...
Library
The Tangled Web
... Those upon the wall knew him and though they were obliged to respect the banner
under which he approached, they gnashed their teeth andgreeted him with...
The visitation
... Theygreeted each other warmly with outstretched hands, and at that moment I saw
a shining brightness in the Blessed Virgin and as it were a ray of light...
It was a Clear Morning and the Tenth Day Before the Kalends of...
... landing. Before now, on his return, the king's horsemen hadgreeted him
with cheers; to-day hegreeted them with curses. Vergilius...
Ruth.
... And so they came to Bethlehem, and the old friends of Naomigreeted her tenderly,
and welcomed her back. It was about the beginning of the barley harvest....
Christ's Look
... not that any man should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.' It is precisely
on the same line, as His first words to Peter, whom Hegreeted as he came...
War Arises Between Constantine and Licinius on Account of the...
... Footnotes: [118] After a victory the soldiersgreeted their prince with... So it appears
Constantine was formallygreeted on assuming the sole control of affairs....
The Sack of Rome
... But applause and enthusiastic cheersgreeted the young Honorius as he passed
by, sharing with Stilicho the honour of the triumphal car....
I Remember Indeed that one of These People, when He was Convicted...
... Up to that time we often saw one another,greeted one another as friends, and joined
together in prayer; and therefore he would certainly have conferred with...
Chapter xlvii
... But without any dispute the less is blessed of the better" (Hebrews 7:7). Some render
waybh??rekh, "and he blessed," very poorly as "greeted" or "paid his...
The Faith of Abraham.
... These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them
andgreeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and...
Thesaurus
Greeted (17 Occurrences)...Greeted (17 Occurrences).
... (See NAS). Mark 9:15 Immediately all the multitude, when
they saw him, were greatly amazed, and running to him
greeted him.
...Greeting (19 Occurrences)
... 20:9), the Revised Version (British and American) "Is it well with thee, my brother?"
(Hebrew "Art thou in peace, my brother?"); Boazgreeted his reapers with...
Greet (46 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS NIV). Mark 9:15 Immediately all the multitude, when they saw him, were
greatly amazed, and running to himgreeted him. (Root in WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV)....
Jehonadab (2 Occurrences)
... Jehu met him after slaying the son of Ahab (10:15); the second part of the verse
should probably be translated "And hegreeted him and said to him, Is thy...
Landed (10 Occurrences)
... (WEY NIV). Acts 18:22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up andgreeted the
assembly, and went down to Antioch. (WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV)....
Kiss (39 Occurrences)
... but which the woman had bestowed so impressively (Luke 7:45); of the kiss of Judas
(Luke 22:48); and of the "holy kiss" wherewith Christiansgreeted each other...
Arrived (129 Occurrences)
... Acts 21:7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais. We
greeted the brothers, and stayed with them one day. (WEB ASV DBY NAS RSV)....
Caesarea (20 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY NAS NIV). Acts 18:22 When he had landed at Caesarea,
he went up andgreeted the assembly, and went down to Antioch....
Ran (100 Occurrences)
... Mark 9:15 Immediately the whole multitude on beholding Him were astonished and
awe-struck, and yet they ran forward andgreeted Him. (WEY RSV NIV)....
Voyage (5 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Acts 21:7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais.
Wegreeted the brothers, and stayed with them one day....
Resources
What does the Bible say about consumerism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Roman Catholicism? | GotQuestions.orgWas Jonah truly swallowed by a whale? | GotQuestions.orgGreeted: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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