Joab took Amasa by the beard—to kiss him— Those, among the Arabs, who are more intimately acquainted, or of equal age and dignity, mutually kiss the hand, the head, or shoulder of each other, says Dr. Shaw; but he makes no mention of their taking hold of the beard in order to kiss. Thevenot, however, assures us, that among the Turks it is a great affront to take one by the beard, unless it be to kiss him, in which case they often do it. Whether he means by kissing him, kissing his beard, or not, I cannot tell; but Joab's taking Amasa by the beard to kiss him, seems designed to express his taking his beard to kiss it; at least this is agreeable to the customs of those who now live in that country; for D'Arvieux, describing the assembling together of several of the petty Arab princes at an entertainment, tells us, that "all the Emirs came together a little time after, accompanied by their friends and attendants; and after the usual civilities, caressings, kissings of the beard, and of the hand, which every one gave and received, according to his rank and dignity, they sat down upon mats." He elsewhere speaks of the women's kissing their husbands' beards, and children those of their fathers, and reciprocally saluting each other in this manner; but the doing it by their Emirs more exactly answers this account of Joab and Amasa; and in this stooping posture he could much better see to direct the blow, than if he had only held his beard, and raised himself to kiss his face. Observations, p. 260.
Related Commentaries of 2 Samuel 20:9
2 Samuel 20:9
9 And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.