Encyclopedia entry
Salutation
“Eastern modes of salutation are not unfrequently so prolonged as to become wearisome and a positive waste of time. The profusely polite Arab asks so many questions after your health, your happiness, your welfare, your house, and other things, that a person ignorant of the habits of the country would imagine there must be some secret ailment or mysterious sorrow oppressing you, which you wished to conceal, so as to spare the feelings of a dear, sympathizing friend, but which he, in the depth of his anxiety, would desire to hear of. I have often listened to these prolonged salutations in the house, the street, and the highway, and not unfrequently I have experienced their tedious monotony, and I have bitterly lamented useless waste of time” (Porter, Through Samaria, etc.). The work on which the disciples were sent forth was one of urgency, which left no time for empty compliments and prolonged greetings (Luke 10:4).
Also from Smith's (1884) +−
Salutations may be classed under the two heads of conversational and epistolary. The salutation at meeting consisted in early times of various expressions of blessing, such as “God be gracious unto thee,” (Genesis 43:29) “The Lord be with you;” “The Lord bless thee.” (Ruth 2:4) Hence the term “bless” received the secondary sense of “salute.” The salutation at parting consisted originally of a simple blessing, (Genesis 24:60) but in later times the form “Go in peace,” or rather “Farewell” (1 Samuel 1:17) was common. In modern times the ordinary mode of address current in the East resembles the Hebrew Es-selam aleykum, “Peace be on you,” and the term “salam,” peace, has been introduced into our own language to describe the Oriental salutation. In epistolary salutations the writer placed-his own name first, and then that of the person whom he sainted. A form of prayer for spiritual mercies was also used. The concluding salutation consisted generally of the term “I salute,” accompanied by a prayer for peace or grace.
In the Bible
6
Verses where Salutation is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- 1 Corinthians 16:21
This greeting is in my own hand—Paul.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:17
This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. This is my mark in every letter; it is the way I write.
- Colossians 4:18
This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
- Luke 1:29
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
- Luke 1:41
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
- Luke 1:44
For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
Scripture on Salutation
9
Voices on Salutation
1
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.