נְשִׁיקָה
𐤍𐤔𐤉𐤒𐤄
nᵉshîyqâh
H5390 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A physical act of pressing one's lips to someone or something, typically as a gesture of affection, greeting, respect, or homage. In biblical contexts, נְשִׁיקָה primarily denotes a kiss as a sign of familial affection, reconciliation, or respectful greeting, but can also signify acts of homage (such as kissing the hand or an idol) or displaying emotional attachment.
Semantic Range
kiss (familial or romantic affection), gesture of greeting, sign of respect or homage, sign of reconciliation, act of veneration toward people or objects
Root / Etymology
From the root נָשַׁק (to touch, to be in close contact, to kiss). The noun נְשִׁיקָה directly derives from this root and denotes the act or instance of kissing. While the root’s fundamental sense is 'touching' or 'coming into contact,' the noun specializes in the cultural expression of such contact as a kiss.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, נְשִׁיקָה appears in narratives of familial reunion (e.g., Genesis 29:11, 33:4), mutual greeting (Exodus 4:27), and leave-taking (Ruth 1:9, 14). It is distinct from broader expressions of affection or greeting, specifically indicating a literal or figurative kiss. In Psalms 2:12, the term appears in the phrase 'kiss the son'—interpreted by later commentators as a form of homage or submission rather than familial affection. The word can also be used to describe reverence toward objects or idols (cf. 1 Kings 19:18; Hosea 13:2), where the physical act of kissing indicates veneration or allegiance. Later English translations sometimes use 'kiss' in a narrowed sense, potentially missing nuances of homage or political submission found in Ancient Near Eastern practices. The gesture and its meanings shift somewhat in later Judean contexts, but the act remains consistent as a ritual or social marker of relationship. Distinct from other Hebrew terms of affection, נְשִׁיקָה always entails the specific action of kissing, not broader forms of embrace or greeting.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from נָשַׁק; a kiss; kiss.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נשק (n-š-q) — touch, come close, kiss
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5400 | נָשַׂק | was kindled |
| H5401 | נָשַׁק | I will kiss you |
| H5402 | נֶשֶׁק | with weaponry |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5390-01 |
מִ/נְּשִׁיק֣וֹת | mineshiqot | HR/Ncfpc |
with the kisses | from kisses of | 1 |
H5390-02 |
נְשִׁיק֥וֹת | neshiqot | HNcfpc |
kisses [of] | kisses of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5390-02 |
Proverbs 27:6 | נְשִׁיק֥וֹת | neshiqot | HNcfpc |
kisses [of] | kisses of |
H5390-01 |
Song of Songs 1:2 | מִ/נְּשִׁיק֣וֹת | mineshiqot | HR/Ncfpc |
with the kisses | from kisses of |