In the biblical context, the term "sister" can refer to a biological sibling, a close familial relationship, or a spiritual kinship within the community of believers. The role and mention of sisters in the Bible provide insight into family dynamics, social structures, and spiritual relationships in ancient times.

Biological Sisters:

1. Miriam: One of the most notable sisters in the Bible is Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron. She played a significant role in the Exodus narrative. Miriam is first introduced in Exodus 2:4, where she watches over her baby brother Moses as he floats in a basket on the Nile River. Later, she is recognized as a prophetess and leads the women of Israel in song and dance after the crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20-21).

2. Leah and Rachel: Leah and Rachel were sisters who became the wives of Jacob. Their account, found in Genesis 29-30, is one of rivalry and competition, as both sisters vied for Jacob's affection and sought to bear him children. This narrative highlights the complexities of familial relationships and God's providence in the lineage of Israel.

3. Mary and Martha: In the New Testament, Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, are depicted in the Gospels as close friends of Jesus. Their account is found in Luke 10:38-42 and John 11. Martha is often portrayed as the more practical and active sister, while Mary is depicted as contemplative and devoted, sitting at Jesus' feet to listen to His teachings.

Spiritual Sisters:

In the New Testament, the concept of spiritual kinship is emphasized, where believers are considered brothers and sisters in Christ. This spiritual family transcends biological ties and is rooted in the shared faith and unity in Jesus.

1. Romans 16:1-2: Paul refers to Phoebe as "our sister," indicating her role and importance in the early church. He commends her to the church in Rome, highlighting the respect and honor given to women who served in the ministry.

2. 1 Timothy 5:1-2: Paul instructs Timothy to treat older women as mothers and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. This guidance underscores the familial nature of the Christian community and the respect and care that should characterize relationships within the church.

Cultural and Social Context:

In biblical times, the role of sisters within the family and society was significant. Sisters often contributed to the household economy, cared for younger siblings, and played vital roles in maintaining family unity. The Bible reflects these roles and often highlights the influence and impact of sisters in both familial and spiritual contexts.

Symbolic and Allegorical Uses:

The term "sister" is also used symbolically in the Bible. For example, in the Song of Solomon, the beloved is referred to as a "sister" (Song of Solomon 4:9-10), indicating a close and intimate relationship that transcends mere romantic love. This usage reflects the depth and purity of the bond between the lovers.

In summary, the concept of "sister" in the Bible encompasses a range of relationships, from biological siblings to spiritual kinship within the body of Christ. The narratives and teachings involving sisters provide valuable insights into the nature of family, community, and faith in the biblical world.SISTER'S SON

The King James Version translates rightly

(1) ben-'achotho (Genesis 29:13); and

(2) huios tes adelphes (Acts 23:16), and wrongly,

(3) anepsios (Colossians 4:10), where, without doubt, the real meaning is "cousin," as in the Revised Version (British and American).

See RELATIONSHIPS, FAMILY.

431. anepsios -- a cousin
... cousin, sister's son. From a (as a particle of union) and an obsolete nepos (a brood);
properly, akin, ie (specially) a cousin -- sister's son. see GREEK a. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/431.htm - 6k269. achoth -- sister
... 268, 269. achoth. 270 . sister. Transliteration: achoth Phonetic Spelling:
(aw-khoth') Short Definition: sister. Word Origin from ...
/hebrew/269.htm - 6k

Early Training.
... She was just about to take her little sister back to the house, when she heard a
rustling among the branches of a tall tree directly above the path over which ...
/.../byrum/the value of a praying mother/chapter iii early training.htm

Looking up to the Cross
... appears,. A damsel on no trembling arm an eager babe uprears,. With a sister's
yearning love, and an elder sister's pride,. She lifts ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cccxii looking up to the.htm

How Antipater was Hated by all the Nation [Of the Jews] For
... hoped to gain the favor of Saturninus's brother with the large presents he bestowed
on him; as also he used the same art to [Salome] the king's sister, who had ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how antipater was.htm

Concerning Jacob's Flight into Mesopotamia, by Reason of the Fear ...
... But there is a nearer and later cement of mutual kindred which we bear to one another,
for my mother Rebeka was sister to Laban thy father, both by the same ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 19 concerning jacobs flight.htm

Consecration.
... Her daily talks now contained a richer and deeper meaning to Bessie, whose
understanding of heavenly things was growing clearer since her sister's death. ...
/.../byrum/the value of a praying mother/chapter v consecration.htm

Acts xxiii. 8-Jun
... kill him. And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he
went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. Then Paul ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xlix acts xxiii 8-jun.htm

Chapter xxx
... 1, 2. When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob children, Rachel became jealous
of her sister and said to Jacob: Give me children, or else I die. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxx.htm

Apion Book 2 Footnotes
... the Authentic. Rec. Part I.-p.200-201, whither I refer the inquisitive
reader. [7] Sister's son, and adopted son. [8] Called more ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/against apion/apion book 2 footnotes.htm

Visitors and Pastimes
... This he stealthily brought to his sister's new home, confiding his secret to no
one except John; and by generous promises he persuaded John to say nothing ...
/.../byrum/how john became a man/chapter vi visitors and pastimes.htm

Elucidations.
... bearing the name of St. Mark,""sister's son to Barnabas," as St. Paul calls
him. [4267] That he was St. Peter's pupil may be inferred ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/early liturgies/elucidations.htm

Sister's (7 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SISTER'S SON. The ... See RELATIONSHIPS, FAMILY.
Multi-Version Concordance Sister's (7 Occurrences). Acts ...
/s/sister's.htm - 9k

Aaron (343 Occurrences)
... He was born in Egypt three years before his brother Moses, and a number of years
after his sister Miriam (2:1, 4; 7:7). He married Elisheba, the daughter of ...
/a/aaron.htm - 56k

Laban (52 Occurrences)
... (1.) The son of Bethuel, who was the son of Nahor, Abraham's brother. He lived at
Haran in Mesopotamia. His sister Rebekah was Isaac's wife (Genesis 24). ...
/l/laban.htm - 28k

Sisters (20 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 16:45 You are the daughter of your mother, who loathes her husband and her
children; and you are the sister of your sisters, who loathed their husbands ...
/s/sisters.htm - 13k

Elamites (2 Occurrences)
... Susa to a feudatory ruler, and among the viceroys who governed Elam may be mentioned
Sirukdu', who constructed at Susa, and Temti-Agun, his sister's son, who ...
/e/elamites.htm - 39k

Elam (24 Occurrences)
... Susa to a feudatory ruler, and among the viceroys who governed Elam may be mentioned
Sirukdu', who constructed at Susa, and Temti-Agun, his sister's son, who ...
/e/elam.htm - 48k

Zeloph'ehad (8 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 7:15 and Machir took a wife of Huppim and Shuppim, whose sister's name
was Maacah--and the name of the second was Zelophehad; and Zelophehad had ...
/z/zeloph'ehad.htm - 8k

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 7:15 and Machir took a wife of Huppim and Shuppim, whose sister's name
was Maacah; and the name of the second was Zelophehad: and Zelophehad had ...
/z/zelophehad.htm - 11k

Kissed (26 Occurrences)
... Genesis 29:13 It happened, when Laban heard the news of Jacob, his sister's son,
that he ran to meet Jacob, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him ...
/k/kissed.htm - 14k

Kissing (10 Occurrences)
... Genesis 29:13 And Laban, hearing news of Jacob, his sister's son, came running,
and took Jacob in his arms, and kissing him, made him come into his house. ...
/k/kissing.htm - 9k

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