In the Bible, the term "sister" is used both literally and metaphorically, referring to female siblings as well as women in a broader spiritual or communal sense. The role and depiction of sisters in the Scriptures provide insight into family dynamics, social structures, and spiritual relationships within the biblical narrative.

Literal Sisters

1. Old Testament Examples:
· Leah and Rachel: Perhaps the most well-known sisters in the Bible, Leah and Rachel were daughters of Laban and wives of Jacob. Their account, found in Genesis 29-31, highlights themes of rivalry, love, and divine providence. Rachel, the younger and more beloved, initially bore no children, while Leah, though less favored, bore Jacob several sons. This dynamic illustrates the complexities of familial relationships and God's intervention in human affairs.
· Miriam: The sister of Moses and Aaron, Miriam played a significant role in the Exodus narrative. She is first introduced in Exodus 2:4-8, watching over the infant Moses as he floated in the Nile. Later, she is recognized as a prophetess and leader among the Israelites (Exodus 15:20-21). Her account underscores the importance of women in God's plan and the leadership roles they can assume.

2. New Testament Examples:
· Mary and Martha: These sisters, who lived in Bethany, are known for their interactions with Jesus. In Luke 10:38-42, Martha is depicted as busy with household duties, while Mary sits at Jesus' feet, listening to His teaching. This account highlights the balance between service and devotion, emphasizing the importance of spiritual priorities.
· Sisters of Jesus: The Gospels mention that Jesus had sisters, though they are not named (Matthew 13:56, Mark 6:3). Their presence indicates the normalcy of Jesus' family life and the humanity of His earthly experience.

Metaphorical and Spiritual Sisters

1. Spiritual Kinship: In the New Testament, the concept of spiritual kinship expands the idea of sisterhood beyond biological ties. Believers are often referred to as brothers and sisters in Christ, emphasizing the familial bond among members of the Christian community. This is seen in passages like Romans 16:1, where Paul refers to Phoebe as "our sister," highlighting her role and service in the early church.

2. The Church as Family: The metaphor of the church as a family is prevalent throughout the New Testament. In 1 Timothy 5:1-2, Paul instructs Timothy to treat older women as mothers and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. This instruction underscores the respect and care that should characterize relationships within the Christian community.

Cultural and Social Context

In biblical times, the role of sisters was influenced by the cultural and social norms of the day. Women were often responsible for household duties and played crucial roles in maintaining family cohesion. The accounts of sisters in the Bible reflect these responsibilities and also highlight moments where women stepped beyond traditional roles to influence significant events in Israel's history.

Theological Implications

The depiction of sisters in the Bible carries theological significance, illustrating God's concern for family relationships and the integral role of women in His redemptive plan. The narratives of sisters like Leah, Rachel, and Miriam reveal God's sovereignty and faithfulness, while the New Testament's spiritual application of sisterhood emphasizes unity and love within the body of Christ.

Key Verses

· Genesis 29:16-18: "Now Laban had two daughters; the older was named Leah, and the younger was named Rachel. Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. Jacob loved Rachel and said, 'I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.'"
· Exodus 15:20: "Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing."
· Luke 10:39: "She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His message."
· Romans 16:1: "I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea."

The biblical portrayal of sisters, both literal and spiritual, offers a rich tapestry of relationships that reflect God's design for family and community, underscoring the value and dignity of women in His creation.3404. miseo -- to hate
... 26: "If anyone comes to Me, and does not (3404 , 'love less' than the Lord) his
own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3404.htm - 8k

79. adelphe -- sister
... Christian woman. Word Origin fem. from adelphos Definition sister NASB Word
Usage believing (1), sister (16), sisters (8). sister. Fem ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/79.htm - 6k

269. achoth -- sister
... Word Origin from the same as ach Definition sister NASB Word Usage another (2),
other (1), sister (89), sister of your sisters (1), sister's (5), sisters (10). ...
/hebrew/269.htm - 6k

Jesus and the Bethany Sisters.
... CHAPTER X. JESUS AND THE BETHANY SISTERS. ... "If thou hadst been here!" the
sisters said, each separately, when they met the Master. ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter x jesus and the.htm

Brothers and Sisters of Jesus; the Mention of them in the Gospel ...
... CHAPTER III. THE BIRTH OF CHRIST. Section 22. Brothers and Sisters of Jesus; the
Mention of them in the Gospel Narrative, Proof of its historical Character. ...
/.../section 22 brothers and sisters.htm

Song 17. Love Between Brothers and Sisters.
... Divine Songs Song 17. Love between brothers and sisters. Love between brothers and
sisters. ... Where sisters dwell and brothers meet. Quarrels should never come. ...
/.../watts/divine and moral songs/song 17 love between brothers.htm

The virtues of Pulcheria; Her Sisters.
... Book IX. Chapter III."The Virtues of Pulcheria; Her Sisters. It is said
that God frequently in many other cases revealed to the ...
/.../chapter iii the virtues of pulcheria.htm

Song 17. Love Between Brothers and Sisters.
... Divine Songs For Children. Song 17. Love between Brothers and Sisters.
1 What ever brawls are in the street There should be peace ...
/.../watts/divine songs for children/song 17 love between brothers.htm

True Sisters of Mercy. October 22.
... True Sisters of Mercy. October 22. Ah! true Sisters of Mercy! whom the
world sneers at as "old maids," if you pour out on cats ...
/.../kingsley/daily thoughts /true sisters of mercy october.htm

The Grey Sisters
... Chapter 6 THE GREY SISTERS. ALTHOUGH many of the great ladies of Paris had
enrolled themselves among the Ladies of Charity and were ...
/.../forbes/life of st vincent de paul/chapter 6 the grey sisters.htm

Of the Removal of the Remains of John and of the Faith of ...
... Book V. Chapter XXXVI."Of the removal of the remains of John and of the
faith of Theodosius and his sisters. At a later time the ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xxxvi of the removal of.htm

By the Circumcision of Abraham, Marriage with Sisters Forbidden ...
... Chapter III."By the Circumcision of Abraham, Marriage with Sisters Forbidden; In
the Times of the Prophets Polygamy Put a Stop To; Conjugal Purity Itself by ...
/.../chapter iii by the circumcision of.htm

Of the Same to Diodorus Bishop of Tarsus, Concerning a Man who had ...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Of the Same to Diodorus Bishop of Tarsus, concerning
a Man who had taken Two Sisters to Wife. (Found translated in lib. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/of the same to diodorus.htm

Sisters (20 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sisters (20 Occurrences). Matthew 13:56
Aren't all of his sisters with us? Where then did this man get ...
/s/sisters.htm - 13k

Brothers (574 Occurrences)
... Matthew 19:29 Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father,
or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, will receive one ...
/b/brothers.htm - 35k

Nahash (9 Occurrences)
... Jesse's wife had apparently been first married to this man, to whom she bore Abigail
and Zeruiah, who were thus David's sisters, but only on the mother's side ...
/n/nahash.htm - 14k

Lands (226 Occurrences)
... Matthew 19:29 Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father,
or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, will receive one ...
/l/lands.htm - 35k

Fields (199 Occurrences)
... Matthew 19:29 and every one who left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father,
or mother, or wife, or children, or fields, for my name's sake, an hundredfold ...
/f/fields.htm - 37k

Farms (5 Occurrences)
... Matthew 19:29 Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father,
or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, will receive one ...
/f/farms.htm - 7k

Lord (59401 Occurrences)
... the extraordinary claims that He was making, declare in an interrogative form, that
they know all about the entire family, mother, brothers and sisters. ...
/l/lord.htm - 61k

Relationships (1 Occurrence)
... RELATIONSHIPS, FAMILY. re-la'-shun-ships: I. CONSANGUINITY 1. In General 2. Parents
and Children 3. Brothers and Sisters 4. Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, Kinsmen II. ...
/r/relationships.htm - 38k

Brethren (528 Occurrences)
... the extraordinary claims that He was making, declare in an interrogative form, that
they know all about the entire family, mother, brothers and sisters. ...
/b/brethren.htm - 51k

Younger (39 Occurrences)
... NIV). 1 Timothy 5:2 the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in
all purity. (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/y/younger.htm - 18k

Did Jesus have brothers and sisters (siblings)? | GotQuestions.org

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