Bible Dictionary

Brother

Christian Life • Both

Brother ordinarily means a male sibling, but Scripture also uses it for a close relative, fellow Israelite, ally, fellow human being, colleague, or fellow believer. In Christian usage it expresses spiritual fellowship among those united in Christ.

Definition

Brother ordinarily means a male sibling, but Scripture extends the term to relatives, fellow-countrymen, allies, fellow believers, colleagues, friends, equals, and members of the human family. It may also express likeness, affection, or shared office.

Biblical Usage

The New Testament uses brother for natural relatives, disciples, fellow Christians, colleagues, and fellow human beings. Christ’s teaching extends brotherly obligation broadly, while early disciples used the term to express spiritual fellowship and fraternal love among believers.

Historical Background

Biblical usage reflects a wide range of relationships, including tribal membership, allied peoples, common discipleship, moral likeness, rank, and office. The supplied material contrasts this broad Christian use with rabbinic distinctions that restricted “brother” chiefly to Israelites by blood.

Scripture References

Matthew 1:2 Luke 3:1 Luke 3:19 Genesis 13:8 Genesis 14:16 Matthew 12:46 John 7:3 Acts 1:14 Galatians 1:19 Matthew 5:47 Acts 3:22 Hebrews 7:5 Matthew 25:40 Hebrews 2:11 Hebrews 2:12 Amos 1:9 Acts 9:30 Acts 11:29 1 Corinthians 5:11 Ezra 3:2 1 Corinthians 1:1 2 Corinthians 1:1 Genesis 9:5 Genesis 19:7 Matthew 5:22 Matthew 5:23 Matthew 5:24 Hebrews 2:17 2 Samuel 1:26 Acts 6:3 1 Thessalonians 5:1 Matthew 1:25 Matthew 12:50 Mark 3:31 Mark 3:32 1 Corinthians 9:5 2 Samuel 19:13 Exodus 2:11 Numbers 20:14 Job 5:15 1 Kings 9:13 Leviticus 19:17 Job 30:19

Historical Bible Dictionaries

Easton's Bible Dictionary

(1.) In the natural and common sense (Matt. 1:2; Luke 3:1, 19). (2.) A near relation, a cousin (Gen. 13:8; 14:16; Matt. 12:46; John 7:3; Acts 1:14; Gal. 1:19). (3.) Simply a fellow-countryman (Matt. 5:47; Acts 3:22; Heb. 7:5). (4.) A disciple or follower (Matt. 25:40; Heb. 2:11, 12). (5.) One of the same faith (Amos 1:9; Acts 9:30; 11:29; 1 Cor. 5:11); whence the early disciples of our Lord were known to each other as brethren. (6.) A colleague in office (Ezra 3:2; 1 Cor. 1:1; 2 Cor. 1:1). (7.) A fellow-man (Gen. 9:5; 19:7; Matt. 5:22, 23, 24; 7:5; Heb. 2:17). (8.) One beloved or closely united with another in affection (2 Sam. 1:26; Acts 6:3; 1 Thess. 5:1). Brethren of Jesus (Matt. 1:25; 12:46, 50: Mark 3:31, 32; Gal. 1:19; 1 Cor. 9:5, etc.) were probably the younger children of Joseph and Mary. Some have supposed that they may have been the children of Joseph by a former marriage, and others that they were the children of Mary, the Virgin’s sister, and wife of Cleophas. The first interpretation, however, is the most natural.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

The Hebrew word is used in various senses in the Old Testament, as,

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)

bruth'-er ('ach; adelphos = kin by birth, from the same parents or parent): Used extensively in both Old Testament and New Testament of other relations and relationships, and expanding under Christ's teaching to include the universal brotherhood of man. Chiefly employed in the natural sense, as of Cain and Abel (Ge 4:8); of Joseph and his brethren (Ge 42:3); of Peter and Andrew, of James and John (Mt 10:2). Of other relationships:(1) Abram's nephew, Lot, is termed "brother" (Ge 14:14);(2) Moses' fellow-countrymen are "brethren" (Ex 2:11; Ac 3:22; compare Heb 7:5);(3) a member of the same tribe (2Sa 19:12);(4) an ally (Am 1:9), or an allied or cognate people (Nu 20:14);(5) used of common discipleship or the kinship of humanity (Mt 23:8);(6) of moral likeness or kinship (Pr 18:9);(7) of friends (Job 6:15);(8) an equal in rank or office (1Ki 9:13);(9) one of the same faith (Ac 11:29; 1Co 5:11);(10) a favorite oriental metaphor used to express likeness or similarity (Job 30:29, "I am a brother to jackals");(11) a fellow-priest or office-bearer (Ezr 3:2); Paul called Sosthenes "brother" (1Co 1:1) and Timothy his spiritual son and associate (2Co 1:1);(12) a brother-man, any member of the human family (Mt 7:3-5; Heb 2:17; 8:11; 1 Joh 2:9; 4:20);(13) signifies spiritual kinship (Mat 12:50);(14) a term adopted by the early disciples and Christians to express their fraternal love for each other in Christ, and universally adopted as the language of love and brotherhood in His kingdom in all subsequent time (2Pe 3:15; Col 4:7,9,15).The growing conception of mankind as a brotherhood is the outcome of this Christian view of believers as a household, a family (Eph 2:19; 3:15; compare Ac 17:26). Jesus has made "neighbor" equivalent to "brother," and the sense of fraternal affection and obligation essential to vital Christianity, and coextensive with the world. The rabbis distinguished between "brother" and "neighbor," applying "brother" to Israelites by blood, "neighbor" to proselytes, but allowing neither title to the Gentiles. Christ and the apostles gave the name "brother" to all Christians, and "neighbor" to all the world (1Co 5:11; Lu 10:29 ff). The missionary passion and aggressiveness of the Christian church is the natural product of this Christian conception of man's true relation to man.See also FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS.Dwight M. Pratt

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