φίλημα
phílēma
G5370 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An act of touching or pressing with the lips as a gesture of affection, greeting, or reverence; primarily denotes the gesture of a kiss, especially as a mark of friendship, affection, or respect in social interactions. In some contexts, conveys ritualistic or ceremonial greeting or farewell.
Semantic Range
kiss (gesture of affection or greeting), greeting kiss, farewell kiss, ceremonial or ritual kiss, expression of respect or love
Root / Etymology
From the verb φιλέω (to love, to show affection, to regard with friendship); formed with the noun suffix -μα denoting the result or act of the verb (thus, 'an act of showing affection,' more specifically 'a kiss').
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, φίλημα referred to any kiss—whether friendly, familial, or romantic—without the erotic specificity of other Greek terms (such as καταφίλημα for passionate or repeated kisses). In the New Testament and Koine sources, φίλημα almost always signifies a greeting or farewell kiss, typical of Mediterranean social custom. The phrase φιλήμα ἅγιον ('holy kiss') comes to denote the practice of greeting fellow members of the community with a distinctively expressive act of social or religious fellowship. The translation 'kiss' in English captures the gesture, but the cultural significance (as an emblem of friendship, connection, or shared religious bond) may be understated unless explained. The term itself does not imply the later medieval association of a kiss with romantic love, nor does it restrict itself to familial or platonic contexts. Related terms: προσφίλημα can sometimes be found for a friendly embrace or kiss; φιλέω as a verb carries a similar breadth of affectionate, nonsexual love and regard.
Translation Consistency
'phílēma' most commonly and naturally denotes a kiss — a gesture of greeting, affection, farewell, or respect. 'Kiss' is the simple, idiomatic English term that covers the typical social and ceremonial uses shown in the SILEX range and matches the attested translations (6 of 7 occurrences). It is the clearest consistent base form for all inflections and contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from φιλέω; a kiss:--kiss.
Root Family
φίλημα (philēma) — act of affection, kiss, affectionate greeting
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5370-02 |
φιλήματι | philemati | N DAT N SG |
a kiss | with a kiss | with a kiss | 6 |
G5370-01 |
φίλημά | philema | N ACC N SG |
kiss | an affectionate kiss | an affectionate kiss | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5370-01 |
Luke 7:45 | φίλημά | philema | N ACC N SG |
kiss | an affectionate kiss | an affectionate kiss |
G5370-02 |
Luke 22:48 | φιλήματι | philemati | N DAT N SG |
with a kiss | with a kiss | with a kiss |
G5370-02 |
Romans 16:16 | φιλήματι | philemati | N DAT N SG |
a kiss | with a kiss | with a kiss |
G5370-02 |
1 Corinthians 16:20 | φιλήματι | philemati | N DAT N SG |
a kiss | with a kiss | with a kiss |
G5370-02 |
2 Corinthians 13:12 | φιλήματι | philemati | N DAT N SG |
kiss | with a kiss | with a kiss |
G5370-02 |
1 Thessalonians 5:26 | φιλήματι | philemati | N DAT N SG |
kiss | with a kiss | with a kiss |
G5370-02 |
1 Peter 5:14 | φιλήματι | philemati | N DAT N SG |
a kiss | with a kiss | with a kiss |