6260. 'And [Israel] kissed them' means a joining together resulting from an affection for truth. This is clear from the meaning of 'kissing' as a joining together resulting from affection, dealt with in 3573, 3574, 4215, 4753, 5929. The reason it is the result of an affection for truth is that the words 'embraced them' follow, by which a joining together resulting from an affection for good is meant. For 'embracing' describes a more internal and consequently closer joining together ¹ than 'kissing', even as an affection for good is more internal than an affection for truth.

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4753. 'And let not our hand be upon him' means so that they may be blameless. This is clear from the meaning of 'let not a hand be laid upon someone' as so that no violence be done, as above in 4737; and because in doing no violence they may be blameless, this too is the meaning of the words used here.