Originally, in Oriental life, the act of kissing had a symbolical character whose import was, in many respects, of greater breadth than that of the custom in our day. Acts, as Dr. Beard, the German theologian, remarks, speak no less—sometimes far more—forcibly than words. In the early period of society, when the foundation was laid of most even of our Western customs, action constituted a large portion of what we may term human language, or the means of intercommunication between man and man; because then words were less numerous, books unknown, the entire machinery of speaking being in its rudimental and elementary state, less developed and called into play; to say nothing of that peculiarity of the Oriental character (if, indeed, it be not a characteristic of all nations in primitive ages) which inclined men to general taciturnity, with occasional outbreaks of fervid, abrupt, or copious eloquence. In this language of action, a kiss, inasmuch as it was a bringing into contact of parts of the body of two persons, was naturally the expression and the symbol of affection, regard, respect, and reverence; and if deeper source of its origin were sought for, it would, doubtless, be found in the fondling and caresses with which the mother expresses her tenderness for her babe. That the custom is of very early date, and very varied in its form among the Hebrews, may be seen in numerous familiar citations from Holy Writ. DIVERSITIES IN THE BIBLE. SALUTATION. David ... fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times; and they [David and Jonathan] kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.—1 _Samuel_ xx. 41. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.—1 _Thess._ v. 26. Salute one another with a holy kiss.—_Romans_ xvi. 16. [See also Exod. xviii. 7; 1 Cor. xvi. 20; 1 Pet. v. 14.] VALEDICTION. The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband [Naomi to her daughters-in-law]. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.—_Ruth_ i. 9. RECONCILIATION. So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.—2 _Samuel_ xiv. 33. SUBJECTION. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little.—_Psalm_ ii. 12. APPROBATION. Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.—_Prov._ xxiv. 26. ADORATION. ——All the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.—1 _Kings_ xix. 18. [See also Hosea xiii. 2.] And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.—_Luke_ vii. 38. TREACHERY. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.