sis´tẽr ( אחות , 'āḥōth ): Used repeatedly in the Old Testament of a female (1) having the same parents as another; or (2) having one parent in common, with another, half-sister ( Genesis 20:12; Leviticus 18:9 ), and also (3) of a female belonging to the same family or clan as another, so a kinswoman (Genesis 24:60; Job 42:11 ); (4) also of a woman of the same country (Numbers 25:18 ). (5) Figuratively , the two kingdoms, Israel and Judah, are sisters (Ezekiel 23:7 ff). (6) Confederate cities are conceived of as sisters ( Ezekiel 16:45 ff). (7) 'Āḥōth is used of objects which go in pairs, as curtains, each 'coupled to its sister' (Exodus 26:3 , Exodus 26:6 ), and of wings in pairs (Ezekiel 1:9; Ezekiel 3:13 ); (8) of virtues or conditions, with which one is closely related: "Say unto wisdom, thou art my sister" (Proverbs 7:4; compare Job 17:14 ); (9) of a lover concerning his spouse, as a term of endearment (Song of Solomon 4:9 f; Song of Solomon 5:1 f; Song of Solomon 8:8 ).
In the New Testament, ἀδελφή , adelphḗ , used (1) in sense of physical or blood kinship ( Matthew 12:50; Matthew 13:56; Matthew 19:29; Luke 10:39 f; Luke 14:26; John 11:1 ff; John 19:25; Acts 23:16 ); (2) of fellow-members in Christ: "Phoebe, our sister" (Romans 16:1; see also 1 Corinthians 7:15; 1 Timothy 5:1; James 2:15 ); (3) possibly, of a church, "thy elect sister" (2 John 1:13 ). See RELATIONSHIPS , FAMILY .
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) was edited by James Orr, John Nuelsen, Edgar Mullins, Morris Evans, and Melvin Grove Kyle and was published complete in 1939. This web site includes the complete text.
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