In the context of the Bible, caresses are often associated with expressions of love, affection, and intimacy. The term is generally used to describe gentle and loving touches or gestures that convey deep emotional connection. While the Bible does not frequently use the word "caress" explicitly, the concept is present in various passages, particularly in the context of marital love and affection.

Song of Solomon

The Song of Solomon, also known as the Song of Songs, is a poetic book that celebrates romantic love and is rich with imagery of affection and intimacy. It is one of the primary biblical texts where the concept of caresses is vividly illustrated. The book portrays the mutual love and desire between a bride and her bridegroom, often using metaphors and symbolic language to describe their physical and emotional closeness.

In Song of Solomon 1:2 , the bride expresses her longing for her beloved's kisses: "Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is more delightful than wine." This verse highlights the joy and pleasure found in the intimate expressions of love, such as kisses and caresses, within the bounds of marriage.

Proverbs

The book of Proverbs also touches on the theme of marital affection. Proverbs 5:18-19 advises: "May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth: a loving doe, a graceful fawn—may her breasts satisfy you always; may you be captivated by her love forever." This passage encourages the enjoyment of physical affection and intimacy within the marriage relationship, emphasizing the importance of being captivated by one's spouse.

New Testament

While the New Testament does not explicitly mention caresses, it upholds the sanctity and exclusivity of marital love. Ephesians 5:25, 28 instructs husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church, and to love their wives as their own bodies. This teaching implies a deep, selfless, and affectionate love that would naturally include tender expressions such as caresses.

Cultural and Theological Context

In biblical times, expressions of physical affection were understood within the framework of marriage. The Bible consistently presents marriage as the appropriate context for sexual intimacy and affectionate gestures. The physical union of husband and wife is seen as a reflection of the spiritual and covenantal relationship between God and His people.

Theologically, caresses and other forms of physical affection in marriage are viewed as gifts from God, designed to strengthen the marital bond and provide joy and comfort. They are to be enjoyed within the boundaries set by God, reflecting His design for human relationships.

Conclusion

The Bible presents caresses as a natural and beautiful expression of love within the marriage covenant. While the term itself may not be frequently used, the concept is woven throughout Scripture, emphasizing the importance of love, intimacy, and fidelity in the marital relationship.159. ohab -- love (noun)
... 158, 159. ohab. 160 . love (noun). Transliteration: ohab Phonetic Spelling:
(o'-hab) Short Definition: caresses. Word Origin from ...
/hebrew/159.htm - 6k

From the Fond Caresses which the Soul Has Has with God Beneath the ...
... PART THE FIRST. CHAPTER XV. From The Fond Caresses Which The Soul Has Has With
God Beneath The Cross, She Returns Again To His Passion. ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/chapter xv from the fond.htm

1 John iv. 12-Apr
... A father beats a boy, and a boy-stealer caresses. If thou name the two things, blows
and caresses, who would not choose the caresses, and decline the blows? ...
/.../ten homilies on the epistle of john to the parthians/homily vii 1 john iv.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xix. 21,"Go, Sell that Thou Hast ...
... And when thou dost begin to be unwilling to obey them, and to take a step towards
thy liberty; because they have no power to command, they use caresses. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxxvi on the words.htm

Pauline Enters the Carmel
... spirits rose. I would climb on to Papa's knee, telling him what marks I
had, and his caresses made me forget all my troubles. With ...
/.../martin/the story of a soul/chapter iii pauline enters the.htm

Pauline Enters the Carmel
... spirits rose. I would climb on to Papa's knee, telling him what marks I
had, and his caresses made me forget all my troubles. With ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/therese/story of a soul/chapter iii - pauline enters.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John x. 14, "I am the Good Shepherd ...
... which He adviseth. What then doth He answer? How free from soft caresses,
yea, to her caresses He returneth severity! He is sharp ...
/.../sermon lxxxviii on the words.htm

Letter xix (AD 1127) to Suger, Abbot of S. Denis
... Let the children of Babylon seek for themselves pleasant mothers, but pitiless,
who will feed them with poisoned milk, and soothe them with caresses which will ...
/.../some letters of saint bernard abbot of clairvaux/letter xix a d 1127 to.htm

A Little Book of Eternal Wisdom
... CHAPTER XV. From The Fond Caresses Which The Soul Has Has With God Beneath
The Cross, She Returns Again To His Passion. CHAPTER XVI. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/

Accession of Cyrus to the Throne.
... without reserve. He loads a favorite with kindness and caresses at one
hour, and directs his assassination the next. He imagines ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter v accession of cyrus.htm

Departure from Ireland. Death and Burial at Clairvaux.
... for and guarding me?" By these words and tears of his son (for he wept) the father's
heart was troubled,[832] and he embraced him with caresses, and making the ...
/.../chapter viii departure from ireland.htm

Caresses (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Caresses (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 7:18 Come, let us take
our pleasure in love till the morning, having joy in love's delights. ...
/c/caresses.htm - 6k

Dally
... 2. (vi) To interchange caresses, especially with one of the opposite sex; to use
fondling; to wanton; to sport. 3. (vt) To delay unnecessarily; to while away. ...
/d/dally.htm - 7k

Blandishment (1 Occurrence)
... The act of blandishing; a word or act expressive of affection or kindness, and tending
to win the heart; soft words and artful caresses; cajolery; allurement. ...
/b/blandishment.htm - 6k

Caressing (1 Occurrence)

/c/caressing.htm - 6k

Caressed (3 Occurrences)

/c/caressed.htm - 7k

Summary of the Song of Solomon - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus