Understanding ἀσπασμός (aspasmos) Strong’s G783: The Sacred Greetings that Revealed Status and Honor in Biblical Times

Pronunciation Guide: as-pas-mos’ (ἀσπασμός)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G783: The word ἀσπασμός refers to a greeting or salutation that carried significant social and cultural weight in biblical times. More than a simple “hello,” it encompassed the entire ritual of greeting, including verbal expressions, physical gestures, and the social dynamics of honor and respect. This term particularly emphasized the public nature of greetings and their role in establishing or affirming social hierarchies.

Etymology and Morphology

• Noun (masculine)
• Derived from ἀσπάζομαι (aspazomai, G782) meaning “to welcome, greet”
• Common in narrative and epistolary literature
• Found in both formal and informal contexts
• Primary usage in social interaction narratives

ἀσπασμός Morphology:

• ἀσπασμός (nominative singular) – a greeting
• ἀσπασμοῦ (genitive singular) – of a greeting
• ἀσπασμῷ (dative singular) – in/with a greeting
• ἀσπασμόν (accusative singular) – greeting (as direct object)
• ἀσπασμοί (nominative plural) – greetings
• ἀσπασμῶν (genitive plural) – of greetings
• ἀσπασμοῖς (dative plural) – in/with greetings
• ἀσπασμούς (accusative plural) – greetings (as direct object)

Origin & History

The term ἀσπασμός has deep roots in classical Greek society, where formal greetings played a crucial role in social interactions. In Xenophon’s “Memorabilia” (2.3.11), the author describes how proper greetings were essential for maintaining friendships and social bonds. The word gained particular significance in Hellenistic culture, where it became associated with both personal and official greetings.

In the Septuagint, ἀσπασμός appears in contexts of formal greeting and diplomatic exchange, particularly in the books of Tobit and 2 Maccabees. The term maintained its formal character while acquiring additional layers of meaning related to blessing and divine favor.

The early church fathers, particularly Clement of Alexandria in his “Paedagogus,” emphasized the spiritual significance of Christian greetings, transforming the cultural practice into an expression of brotherly love and unity in the Messiah.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A formal greeting or salutation involving specific cultural protocols
• The entire ritual of welcome, including verbal and physical elements
• Public acknowledgment of someone’s presence or status
• An expression of respect and honor through formal recognition

ἀσπασμός Translation Options:

• “Greeting” – Best for general contexts emphasizing the act of welcoming
• “Salutation” – Preferred for formal or written contexts
• “Public welcome” – Useful when emphasizing the social aspect
• “Honorific greeting” – Appropriate when status and honor are central themes
• “Ceremonial welcome” – Suitable for contexts involving ritual aspects

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀσπασμός appears primarily in contexts where social status and public recognition are significant themes. The term’s first appearance in Matthew 23:7 occurs in Yeshua’s critique of the scribes and Pharisees who loved receiving elaborate public greetings that acknowledged their status.

The word carries particular weight in Luke’s Gospel, where it appears in the context of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth. The term emphasizes both the social and spiritual dimensions of their encounter, highlighting how greetings could serve as vehicles for divine revelation and blessing.

Notable appearances include:

• “They love the greetings [ἀσπασμούς] in the marketplaces.” Matthew 23:7
• “And when Elizabeth heard the greeting [ἀσπασμόν] of Mary.” Luke 1:41
• “Love the greetings [ἀσπασμούς] in the marketplaces.” Luke 11:43
• “Beware of the scribes, who love greetings [ἀσπασμούς] in the marketplaces.” Luke 20:46
• “The greetings [ἀσπασμοί] of Mary had such power.” Luke 1:44

Cultural Insights

In first-century Jewish culture, greetings were complex social transactions that went far beyond mere pleasantries. The ἀσπασμός often included specific physical gestures such as bowing, kissing on the cheek, or placing one’s hand over the heart. The depth of bow and the elaborateness of the greeting directly corresponded to the social status of the persons involved.

The marketplace (agora) was particularly significant as a place where these greetings took place. As the center of public life, it provided a stage where social hierarchies were displayed and reinforced through elaborate greeting rituals. The Pharisees’ love of greetings in these public spaces reveals how ἀσπασμός had become a tool for maintaining and displaying social power.

This understanding illuminates Yeshua’s criticism of those who “love the greetings in the marketplaces.” His words weren’t merely about enjoying friendly hellos, but about the exploitation of a cultural practice for self-aggrandizement.

Theological Significance

The theological implications of ἀσπασμός are particularly evident in how Yeshua challenged its misuse. While greetings themselves were not problematic, their exploitation for social status directly contradicted His teaching about humility and true spiritual authority. His critique reveals God’s concern for authentic relationships over superficial displays of religiosity.

The transformative power of a genuine ἀσπασμός is beautifully illustrated in the encounter between Mary and Elizabeth. Here, what might have been a conventional greeting became a vehicle for the Holy Spirit’s movement, demonstrating how God can work through cultural practices when they’re filled with genuine faith and humility.

This tension between social convention and spiritual authenticity reflects a broader biblical theme: God’s kingdom often operates in ways that subvert human social hierarchies, calling us to a different kind of recognition based on spiritual reality rather than social status.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀσπασμός challenges us to examine our own motivations in social interactions. Do we, like the Pharisees, seek recognition and status through our public behavior? Or do we, like Mary and Elizabeth, allow our greetings to become opportunities for genuine spiritual connection and blessing?

This word study reminds us that every social interaction is an opportunity to either reinforce worldly status systems or demonstrate the counter-cultural values of God’s kingdom. When we greet others, we can choose to make it about elevating ourselves or about recognizing the image of God in each person we meet.

Related Words

• φιλέω (phileō) – to love, show affection, kiss – expresses the warm affection often demonstrated in greetings See G5368
• χαίρω (chairō) – to rejoice, be glad – often used in greeting formulas See G5463
• εἰρήνη (eirēnē) – peace – a common element in Jewish and Christian greetings See G1515
• προσκυνέω (proskyneō) – to worship, bow down – sometimes accompanied greetings to important persons See G4352

Did you Know?

• In ancient Jewish culture, failing to properly greet a rabbi or religious leader in public could be considered a serious social offense, highlighting why the Pharisees were so concerned with receiving proper greetings.
• The physical components of an ἀσπασμός could vary significantly based on social status – a greeting between equals might involve a kiss on both cheeks, while greeting someone of higher status might require a deep bow or even prostration.
• Modern Israeli culture still maintains some aspects of the ancient ἀσπασμός in its greeting customs, where the traditional “Shalom aleichem” (peace be upon you) expects the response “Aleichem shalom” (upon you be peace), reflecting the mutuality of biblical greetings.

Remember This

ἀσπασμός reminds us that true honor in God’s kingdom is found not in receiving grand greetings, but in humbly recognizing the divine image in every person we meet.