Bible Dictionary
BROTHERHOOD
Brotherhood describes a close relationship among people regarded as brothers. The Old Testament emphasizes the brotherhood of Israelites, while the New Testament gives special prominence to the deeper fellowship of believers in Christ.
Definition
Brotherhood is the close relationship of those regarded as brothers. The term is rare in Scripture, while “brother” and “brethren” are much more common and express the relationship concretely.
Biblical Usage
The Old Testament emphasizes the brotherhood of all Israelites. The New Testament gives a deeper and stronger meaning to brotherhood in Christ, which surpasses the earlier national relationship.
Historical Background
The term occurs in the supplied material in Zechariah 11:14 and 1 Peter 2:17. In 1 Peter, the abstract word represents the concrete body of brethren.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>bruth'-er-hood: The rare occurrence of the term (only Zec 11:14 and 1Pe 2:17) in contrast with the abundant use of "brother," "brethren," seems to indicate that the sense of the vital relation naturally called for the most concrete expression: "the brethren." But in 1Pe 2:17 the abstract is used for the concrete. In the Old Testament the brotherhood of all Israelites was emphasized; but in the New Testament the brotherhood in Christ is a relation so much deeper and stronger as to eclipse the other.</p><p>See also BROTHER; BRETHREN.</p>